ESPN's Mina Kimes Had An Embarrassing On-Air Moment Monday
Even an experienced professional like Mina Kimes will make the occasional miscue on live television.
NFL Live had plenty of material to cover on Monday's show after concluding the 2024 regular season. ESPN insider Adam Schefter appeared to discuss the first-round playoff matchups, including an AFC North rivalry clash between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers.
As host Laura Rutledge began asking Schefter a question, Kimes got up and blocked the studio's shot of Rutledge. Upon realizing her mistakes, Kimes appeared again when retreating.
Rutledge rolled with the blooper.
"Hey, Mina. Get it girl," Rutledge said while dancing, "Oh, go back one more time. There we go. All right."
Kimes buried her head in her hands as Marcus Spears put a supportive arm around his colleague. Kimes was laughing too hard to hear her explanation, but an amused Schefter didn't let the moment pass.
"Just have Mina keep walking back and forth in the shot," Schefter advised. "That's excellent television."
Rutledge couldn't contain her laughter as she attempted to get the segment back on track by asking about Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, who injured his knee in Saturday's division-clinching victory over the Cleveland Browns.
Schefter posted a video of the slip-up while mocking Kimes' "next level camera awareness." Kimes thought he was having too much fun at her expense.
"Adam you look way too happy here," Kimes replied.
ANAHEIM, CA - FEBRUARY 10: ESPN hosts Laura Rutledge, Keyshawn Johnson and Mina Kimes share a laugh during an ESPN Super Bowl preview show broadcast from Disney California Adventure in Anaheim on Thursday, February 10, 2022. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)
Kimes must have thought she was off-camera when trying to slip away. It might be a while before she leaves the desk during a live segment again.
It's been a long season, and Kimes is probably sleep-deprived after giving birth to a boy in December 2023. Her beloved Seattle Seahawks also fell short of the playoffs despite going 10-7, the best record of any team shunned from postseason play.
While the Seahawks can plan their offseason vacations, Kimes and the NFL Live crew still have a long road to the Super Bowl to cover.
