Following the Los Angeles Chargers’ gritty 22-19 overtime victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football, Justin Herbert shared an unusually awkward moment with ESPN’s sideline reporter Laura Rutledge, which has drawn a lot of criticism for the quarterback.
Herbert had zero interest in a postgame interview. As he bounced around the field hunting for teammates to celebrate with, he literally ran into Rutledge, who tried to flag him down for the camera. He waved her off and kept moving, forcing her to chase after him for a quick hit.
Laura Rutledge reacted to the moment on social media on Tuesday. Amid the backlash Justin Herbert is getting, the sideline reporter laughed off the scene, hinting at no tough feelings.
“Rough day at the office 🤣🤣 let’s all have a good laugh and move on!” Rutledge wrote on X.
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While Rutledge calls for everyone to move on, Kayce Smith wouldn’t condone the behavior of Herbert. The Barstool Sports host took a hit at the quarterback while commending the way in which Rutledge handled it.
“Hey bro, you get paid $262 million to play football. When the prime time broadcast wants an interview, you stand there like EVERYBODY ELSE does and do the interview. Grow up. Kudos, Laura Rutledge. Real pro,” Smith wrote on X.
Justin Herbert shows grit against the Eagles after hand surgery
Despite undergoing hand surgery a week ago, Justin Herbert’s performance was not affected against the Eagles on Monday night. The quarterback rushed for 66 yards on 10 carries, the third-most in his NFL career. He wasn’t making an excuse with it in the overtime win.
“There are so many guys in that locker room that are fighting through so many different injuries and things worse than what I’m going through,” Herbert said. “So, it’s the least I can do to show up and give my best effort for them.”
The Chargers’ coach Jim Harbaugh also spoke about Herbert’s toughness after the game in Inglewood. The quarterback scrambled for three first downs, taking his season’s tally to 18: the fourth most by a player in his position.
“It’s inspiring,” Harbaugh said. “I wish I could just throw my body on the line. I wish I could take those hits for ’em.”
Justin Herbert broke a bone in his left hand early in last week’s game when Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn delivered a vicious hit on a scramble, driving his helmet straight into his hand. Being a non-throwing hand, the quarterback hasn’t missed a snap since then.