Charissa Thompson used a recent episode of the Calm Down podcast to praise Laura Rutledge, saying she got to see her at the Masters and came away with even more respect for her work. Four months after Thompson first singled out Rutledge’s work ethic after she went viral on social media earlier this year, she again offered a public salute to the sideline reporter.
"I just want to say how much I love Laura Rutledge," Thompson said, adding that she "just ha[s] such a respect for her." Thompson said Rutledge "works so hard," is "kind," "does it the right way" and is "funny," before summing it up by saying, "And yeah, my girl can work." Rutledge replied in the comments on the Instagram post clipping the remarks, writing, "I can't get over this! So dang cool. I'm in awe of you both."
The exchange carried extra weight because Thompson and Rutledge work for rival networks, though Thompson said she relies on NFL Live to help prepare for her Thursday Night Football assignments. She singled out Peter Schrager and the whole crew on the show, calling it one she loves. Rutledge, 37, primarily works for as a sideline reporter for Monday Night Football and also hosts SEC Nation on the SEC Network, while Thompson, 44, works for Fox Sports and Amazon Prime Video during the NFL season.
The back-and-forth also underscored how much respect can cross the lines of network competition in sports television. Thompson’s praise came after an earlier public nod to Rutledge’s work during the viral moment this year, and this time Rutledge answered right away, turning a podcast clip into a small but clear reminder that the people on opposite sides of the broadcast fence are often watching one another closely.
For both women, the next test is the same one that keeps them visible every week: showing up on camera, under pressure, and making it look easy.
