What originally started as a simple college football sideline report, something ESPN's Laura Rutledge had done hundreds of times in her broadcasting career, turned into an unexpected take down and an unforgettable date proposal.
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Standing near the sideline during the Georgia Bulldogs' 66-27 rout of the UMass Minutemen at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia in 2018, Rutledge finished her report for the SEC Network and looked to make sure she was out of harm's way.
But even as the whistles were being blown, the play continued, and it ended with Rutledge getting knocked to the ground.
She definitely didn't see it coming.
Georgia RB Knocks Over Laura Rutledge
Took an L in Athens today. So many thanks to everyone at @UGAAthletics for their help after this happened...even though I’m a Gator 😏 pic.twitter.com/b1FTCPaqtH
— Laura Rutledge (@LauraRutledge) November 18, 2018
RELATED: ESPN's Maria Taylor Shined as an All-SEC Star at Georgia
Luckily, Rutledge wasn't injured after the play. It's actually very impressive she popped up so quickly after the blind-side hit.
However, this was not the finest day at the office, to say the least, especially since Uga dragged her around earlier in the day.
When your man spots a better option 😳 pic.twitter.com/zPuH46WD15
— Laura Rutledge (@LauraRutledge) November 17, 2018
Things took another unexpected turn on Monday night, too, when Georgia redshirt sophomore tailback Prather Hudson, the player responsible for knocking over Rutledge, asked her out on a date.
Prather Hudson Asks Laura Rutledge Out
Hey @LauraMRutledge really sorry I knocked you down, but... I can pick you up at 7 😎 https://t.co/jkHsTsLk0s
— Prather Hudson (@PRAYHUD) November 20, 2018
This is the ultimate way for a college kid to shoot his shot.
The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Hudson from Columbus, Georgia, wasn't a star for the Bulldogs. He was far from the focal point of the offense and amassed just two carries for nine yards and caught one pass for 15 yards in UGA's big win.
But that one carry is something he will never forget and took a chance to capitalize on it.
Hudson apologized to Rutledge and even offered to pick her up for a date. But the veteran reporter and Florida Gators grad indirectly shut him down, considering she is married to Josh Rutledge, who had played for the Colorado Rockies and Boston Red Sox since graduating from Alabama.
Actually nope but I’m married.
— Laura Rutledge (@LauraRutledge) November 20, 2018
Well, Prather, it was a good thought, man. Nobody blames you for trying.
It's just rather comical this entire situation ended in a player asking a reporter on a date.
This article was originally published on November 20, 2018, but we'll never get tired of Prather Hudson shooting his shot.
