NFL fans are saddened by Lisa Salters' disturbing news that Laura Rutledge will be forced to join Troy Aikman and Joe Buck on Monday Night Football

“Prayers for Lisa, a Penn Stater.” These words, tweeted on October 14, 2024, reflected the emotions coursing through the NFL community. Lisa Salters, Monday Night Football's popular sideline reporter, would not be in attendance for that night's Jets-Bills clash at MetLife Stadium.

Joe Buck, the voice of MNF, broke the news to millions of viewers: “Lisa Salters is dealing with a personal matter. We look forward to your return. And we all wish Lisa and her family our best.” The sudden loss of Salters, a 13-year MNF veteran, left fans worried and eager for her speedy return.

The journey that led Salters to Monday Nights is as inspiring and amazing as it gets. At 5 feet, 2 inches, she at one point held the record as the shortest female basketball player in Penn State University history. But their small size seemed to be a reflection of their larger-than-life journalistic presence.

Before joining ESPN in 2000, Salters got her first taste of high-profile reporting in the 1990s. She covered the trials following the Oklahoma City bombing and covered the infamous OJ Simpson trial for ABC News. These experiences honed her ability to effectively navigate emotionally charged situations, a skill that proved particularly useful on the sidelines of the NFL.

If there was one moment that exemplified Salters' professionalism and empathy, it was her coverage of Damar Hamlin on January 3, 2023. While the Buffalo Bills safety lay motionless on the field, Salters' coverage moved a careful connection between Journalism and compassion. Her calm but caring performance gained widespread respect – one tweet said: “Lisa Salters proves that you can be an incredible journalist and be empathetic at the same time.”

Laura Rutledge steps forward

As the NFL world sent congratulations to the Salters, attention turned to their replacement for the evening. Laura Rutledge, host of NFL Live and SEC Nation, would trade her studio chair for the side microphone.

At 35 years old, Rutledge has already made her way into the annals of sports broadcasting. She's no stranger to the sidelines either; Early in her career she covered the Tampa Bay Rays and the San Diego Padres! But Monday Night Football is something completely different.

“The sideline coverage is a little more specific to the two teams and knows the two depths on both sides.” Rutledge told Forbes in an August 2024 interview. “I found so many storylines that will probably never come into play. The reality is that you spend 15 seconds here and there preparing for reports and trying to say things as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

This high-pressure environment is a far cry from the more leisurely pace of studio shows. Rutledge acknowledges the difference, stating: “Studio shows are about a much bigger picture, but also about finding ways to be very detail-oriented and take a unique perspective that we may not have seen anywhere else that week.”

Fans took to social media to express their feelings. One Twitter user wrote: “Sending my love to Lisa Salters, who will miss tonight @ESPN @ABC Monday Night Football contest between Jets and Bills, I look forward to seeing them again soon. In the meantime Joe @Buck & @TroyAikman have @LauraRutledge jumps in on the sidelines at MetLife Stadium.”

As Rutledge takes on her new role, she brings with her a diverse set of skills and experiences that extend beyond football itself. In the same Forbes interview, she hinted that her ambitions might be even broader:“I would like to get into the entertainment industry if that is my future. My background is in the entertainment industry – more in ballet, the dance and art world and music.”