Laura Rutledge is the host of ESPN’s year-round weekday NFL news and information show NFL Live and SEC Network’s SEC Nation. Since joining the company in 2014 as a reporter on SEC Network and ESPN, Rutledge has consistently expanded her portfolio. She was named host of NFL Live in June 2020 while also hosting SEC Nation – 2024 is her eighth year as host and ninth year with the show overall. 

Rutledge has been a sideline reporter for numerous NFL games as ESPN’s NFL portfolio continues to expand. In October 2022, Rutledge was the sideline reporter for ESPN+’s first ever exclusive NFL game at Wembley Stadium in London.  

In addition to her NFL Live, SEC Nation and sideline reporting duties, Rutledge plays a large role in ESPN’s presentation of the NFL’s Pro Bowl Games and NFL Draft coverage. 

Before joining NFL Live, Rutledge was a contributor on Get Up. She has also anchored SportsCenter and hosted red carpet coverage at both The Home Depot College Football Awards and the ESPYs. Additionally, Rutledge has contributed to ESPN and SEC Network’s live-event programming for college football, basketball, gymnastics, baseball and softball. She was a mainstay in ESPN’s extensive championship coverage surrounding the College Football Playoff, NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships, and both the Women’s College World Series and College World Series. 

Prior to joining ESPN, Rutledge was a sports anchor for CNN’s New Day and Early Start. She also worked on HLN’s Morning Express with Robin Meade, as well as Fox Sports. 

Rutledge has a broadcasting journalism degree from the University of Florida, where she also won the 2011 Red Barber Award for Excellence in Broadcasting at UF. Rutledge is an Ambassador for the Miracle League, an organization that builds baseball fields for children with disabilities. 

Rutledge currently resides in Connecticut with her husband Josh Rutledge, a retired MLB infielder and now a current real estate agent with Coldwell Banker and owner of West Alabama Ford. They welcomed a daughter, Reese, in October 2019 and a son, Jack, in May 2023.