Mother's Day is observed on the second Sunday of May each year, falling on May 10 this time. To commemorate the occasion, former NFL player Ryan Clark invited ESPN reporter Laura Rutledge to his podcast, The Pivot.
Laura Rutledge's Emotional Journey
Laura Rutledge opened up about her initial disappointment upon learning she was pregnant, which later turned into tears of joy. She expressed how much she cherishes hearing her daughter, Reese Katherine Rutledge, and son, Jack Alexander Rutledge, say "Happy Mother's Day."
Pregnancy and Career Fears
For a long time, Laura believed that motherhood would negatively impact her career at ESPN. After seven years of marriage, she discovered she was pregnant in 2019 while pursuing her dream career. She admitted feeling disappointed at first, fearing it would end her professional life. She doubted she could appear on television while pregnant.
During her pregnancy, Laura continued to work hard, assuming that the arrival of her baby would prevent her from maintaining the same level of professional success afterward. However, her most significant career milestones occurred after the birth of her two children.
Balancing Motherhood and Career
Laura acknowledges that juggling motherhood and a career is a constant struggle, and there are times when balance seems impossible. On difficult days, she reminds herself how fortunate she is to be a mother. Knowing that her children will always say, "That's my mom," fills her with pride for a life she once thought was unattainable.
Before having her children, Laura considered adoption because conceiving was challenging. But she was eventually blessed with two amazing kids, whom she calls her world. They changed her perspective entirely.
"How could I ever think that career was more important than this? Experiencing them and being their comfort is the greatest joy of my life. Celebrating Mother's Day and hearing their little voices say 'Happy Mother's Day' is incredibly special. It's a day of gratitude," Rutledge said with tears of joy.
Laura Rutledge's Family and Husband
Laura McKeeman (now Rutledge) met her husband, Josh Rutledge, a former professional baseball player, in 2011. They married in December 2013. Their first child, daughter Reese Katherine Rutledge, was born in October 2019, and their second child, son Jack Alexander Rutledge, arrived in May 2023. Reese is now 6 years old, and Jack is nearly 3.
Laura Rutledge is a prominent reporter and host for ESPN and the SEC Network. She was also Miss Florida 2012. According to his public LinkedIn profile, Josh Rutledge worked as a real estate agent at Coldwell Banker in West Hartford, Connecticut until March 2026. He has owned West Alabama Ford in Sulligent since September 2022 and West Alabama Ford of Fayette since September 2025.
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About the Author
Dr. Arati Kulkarni Srivastava spent six years studying medicine and three years in management, but her passion for writing was too strong to ignore. Having been vice-captain of her college's cricket team for four years, she understands an NFL quarterback's competitive spirit. She creates compelling football stories that leave a mark on readers' hearts and minds. Every morning, she begins her day by flipping through the TOI sports section. In the evenings, she enjoys solving mysteries from Law & Order: SVU. The sea of Mumbai brings her tranquility, and Kishore Kumar's melodies soothe her soul.
