ESPN Reporter Laura Rutledge Admits Struggle to Fight Tears During 'NFL Live'
Cincinnati Bengals star Ja'Marr Chase made headlines on Monday after an incredible performance in their win against the Dallas Cowboys. The three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver led the Bengals to a much-needed win with 14 receptions for 177 yards and two touchdowns.
After scoring his first TD of the evening, Chase busted out "The Griddy" to celebrate. As it turns out, however, this decision had a much deeper meaning as the former LSU star dedicated the dance to a young fan named Brixton Wood, who was diagnosed with leukemia.
Laura Rutledge reported the story on Tuesday's episode of "NFL Live" as they showed the meeting between Chase and his six-year-old fan before the Cowboys game. The Bengals star went out of his way to spend time with Wood, who is now fighting cancer for a second time.
After "NFL Live," Rutledge got some feedback from a fan on X about how touching the story was. The supporter also said that he was "not sure how [Rutledge] kept it together during the Brixton segment."
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1).
Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
The 36-year-old sportscaster caught wind of the post and decided to respond. It was at that point that Rutledge admitted that she did, indeed, struggle to fight back her tears during the segment.
"Barely," she admitted while adding a crying face emoji.
To be fair to Rutledge, she was able to deliver her lines without any issues. However, she did admit that she "barely" kept her emotions in check during that point in the show, which is a testament to her professionalism.
Rutledge, who is married to former professional baseball player Josh Rutledge, also has kids of her own. She has a 5-year-old daughter, Reese, and a 1-year-old son, Jack.
What's Trending
