ESPN’s Laura Rutledge Breaks Her Silence After Accusations Of Being Snubbed By NFL Superstar [VIDEO]

ESPN reporter Laura Rutledge is now clearing up her thoughts about the tense moment with Justin Herbert after the Chargers beat the Eagles in Week 14 last month. She shared her side of the story during a recent interview with Front Office Sports.

In a video that went viral during that time, Herbert walks away as Rutledge tries to start the postgame interview and says, “I’m trying to celebrate with my team.” Rutledge stayed with him, and they finished the interview a few seconds later.

Herbert led the Chargers to a big win even though he was coming off hand surgery and took a lot of hits. The Eagles sacked him seven times, but the Chargers held on after a late interception sealed the game.

Rutledge said fans didn’t see the full picture. She explained that ESPN sets up those interviews with the team before the game even begins. Moreover, she also said that she always tries to respect the players while dealing with the pressure of live TV.

Laura Rutledge Explains What Happened On The Field

Rutledge praised Herbert while walking through the moment step by step. “I think Justin Herbert’s amazing,” she said. “Not everybody wants to do these interviews, right? We’re there to do our jobs, they’re there to do theirs, and I actually credit him for still standing there and doing the interview.”

She said the Chargers and ESPN agreed before the game that Herbert would handle the interview if the team won. The ending changed everything. The game ended on a final-play interception in overtime. That left no room to plan.

"We’re there to do our jobs, they’re there to do theirs, and I actually credit him for still standing there and doing the interview."

ESPN's Laura Rutledge unpacks the on-field interview moment with Justin Herbert. pic.twitter.com/QhOsawQwhc

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) January 6, 2026

Rutledge said producers pushed her through her earpiece. “They’re saying, ‘You’ve got to get him,’” she said. She tried to give Herbert time to celebrate first. Ninety seconds passed after the broadcast returned. That gap matters on live TV.

She said she changed her approach once Herbert stopped. She wanted speed. “I wanted to get him out as fast as possible,” Rutledge said. She credited Herbert for staying and answering questions despite clear frustration.

Rutledge also responded to the criticism from fans. She said emotions run high after games, and those moments show the real side of football. “That really is the truest inside peek,” she said. She added that she does not hold any grudges and believes respect goes both ways.

However, recently another awkward moment occurred when Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold was accused by fans of brushing her off, similar to what happened with Herbert.

Herbert, who threw for 3,727 yards and 26 touchdowns, now has his focus elsewhere. The Chargers head into the Wild Card game in a tough spot. They must travel to the East Coast to face the New...