Laura Rutledge has built an impressive career in sports broadcasting, becoming one of the familiar faces on ESPN while covering football and other major sporting events. Away from the cameras, she shares her life with someone who understands the sports world just as well. Her husband, Josh Rutledge, is a former Major League Baseball player who later moved into business and real estate.
The couple’s relationship began at the University of Alabama in 2011. What started with a chance meeting at a football tailgate eventually became a marriage, a growing family and a partnership that has lasted for more than a decade.
Today, Laura and Josh are raising their two children, Reese and Jack, while continuing their own professional journeys. Their relationship has also been shaped by the understanding that comes from both having demanding careers in the sports world.
Who Is Laura Rutledge’s Husband?
Laura Rutledge’s husband is Josh Rutledge, a former professional baseball infielder who played in Major League Baseball.
Josh was born and raised in Cullman, Alabama, and developed a love for baseball from an early age. He became a standout player during his high school years, helping his team win a state championship during his senior season. He was also recognized as Alabama’s 5A Player of the Year.
His success continued when he attended the University of Alabama. Baseball eventually became more than a college passion when the Colorado Rockies selected him in the 2010 MLB Draft.
Josh left college to begin his professional baseball career, but later returned to complete his degree. In 2019, he graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science degree.
How Did Laura Rutledge Meet Josh Rutledge?
Laura and Josh met in 2011 while they were both connected to the University of Alabama.
According to Laura, she walked up to a random tailgate during a football game and happened to meet Josh there. What could have been an ordinary college football weekend turned into the beginning of their relationship.
The couple have looked back on that first meeting several times over the years. For the fifth anniversary of their first encounter, they even returned to the same tailgate location where they had met.
Laura shared that they found the same tent where their story had started, turning the spot into a special reminder of how unexpectedly their relationship began.
Their connection grew from that first meeting, eventually leading them toward marriage and family life.
When Did Laura Rutledge and Josh Rutledge Get Married?
Laura and Josh married on December 7, 2013.
Their wedding became the beginning of another important chapter in their relationship. Over the years, Laura has occasionally shared photographs and memories from their wedding day, including moments from their ceremony and reception.
In 2023, the couple marked their 10th wedding anniversary. Laura reflected on the decade they had spent together, noting how much their lives had changed since their wedding.
By that point, they were not only husband and wife but also parents to two children.
Their anniversary celebrations highlighted the close friendship at the center of their marriage. Laura has often described Josh as someone who encourages and supports her professional ambitions.
Laura and Josh’s Two Children
Laura and Josh are parents to two children, a daughter named Reese and a son named Jack.
Their first child, Reese, was born in October 2019. Becoming parents was a major milestone for the couple as they balanced family responsibilities with their respective careers.
Their family later grew with the arrival of their son, Jack, in May 2023.
Laura has spoken warmly about the relationship between her children. She was especially happy to see Reese prepare for her new role as a big sister.
The family had also experienced heartbreak before Jack’s birth, as Laura revealed that she and Josh had suffered a miscarriage in 2021. The arrival of their son therefore carried an especially meaningful place in their family story.
Later in 2023, Jack experienced health complications and required medical care during the holiday season. Laura shared an update saying he was recovering but had a long road ahead. She remained hopeful that he would make a full recovery.
Josh Rutledge’s MLB Career
Before moving into business and real estate, Josh enjoyed a professional baseball career.
The Colorado Rockies selected him in the 2010 MLB Draft, and he eventually made his major league debut in 2012.
Josh played for several MLB organizations during his career. He spent time with the Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Angels and Boston Red Sox.
As an infielder, he competed at the highest level of professional baseball and experienced the constant travel and changes that come with life in the major leagues.
He later spent time with the San Francisco Giants’ minor league system before retiring from professional baseball in 2018.
His baseball career gave him years of experience in a highly competitive environment, but retirement did not mean he was stepping away from professional life.
Josh’s Career After Baseball
Following his retirement from baseball, Josh explored several different career paths.
He spent about three years working as a financial advisor with Wells Fargo before moving into real estate.
By 2022, he had entered the real estate business and began working as a realtor with Coldwell Banker West Hartford in Connecticut. He is also licensed in Massachusetts.
Josh has explained that he has always enjoyed exploring houses and land, making real estate a natural fit for his interests.
He regularly shares property listings and updates about his work, showing a very different side of his professional life compared with his years on a baseball diamond.
Josh Rutledge Is Also a Business Owner
Real estate is not Josh’s only business interest.
He is also a co-owner of West Alabama Ford, a full-service Ford dealership in Sulligent, Alabama.
Josh announced the business partnership in 2022 and has continued to be involved with the dealership.
His move into business demonstrates how his professional life has evolved since leaving baseball. Instead of following one career path, he has used his experience and interests to build a new life outside professional sports.
Laura and Josh Support Each Other’s Careers
One of the strongest parts of Laura and Josh’s relationship appears to be their understanding of each other’s professional lives.
Laura has worked in sports broadcasting, while Josh experienced the demands of professional baseball firsthand. Because both understand the pressures that come with sports careers, they can relate to each other’s schedules and responsibilities.
Laura has previously described Josh as a strong supporter of her work and said he has encouraged her throughout her career.
She has also emphasized that they both have their own careers while understanding enough about each other’s professional worlds to offer meaningful support.
That balance seems to be an important part of their marriage.
Josh Rutledge’s Life Away From Baseball and Business
Josh also enjoys spending time outdoors.
He is an avid hunter and fisherman and has shared glimpses of these hobbies over the years. His interests include bow hunting and fishing, and he has posted pictures of various catches.
These outdoor activities offer Josh a break from his professional responsibilities and provide another glimpse into his life away from baseball, real estate and business.
Laura Rutledge Husband: Their Life Today
Laura Rutledge’s husband, Josh Rutledge, has followed an interesting path from college baseball player to MLB infielder, financial advisor, realtor and business owner.
The couple met unexpectedly at a University of Alabama football tailgate in 2011 and married two years later in December 2013. Since then, they have built a family with their daughter Reese and son Jack.
Their relationship has also survived difficult moments, including the loss of a pregnancy and health concerns involving their young son. Through those experiences, Laura and Josh have continued to support one another.
While Laura remains a prominent sports broadcaster, Josh has created a successful second career after baseball. Their story is ultimately less about fame and more about partnership, family and two people who understand the demands of a life connected to sports.