With the 2025 season officially over, NFL sideline reporter MJ Acosta-Ruiz is ready to sit back and enjoy the offseason.
In September of 2018, Acosta-Ruiz took her talents to NFL Network and thrived as a Bay Area reporter. Six years later, she agreed to a deal with ESPN to become a sideline reporter for ESPN Deportes' presentation of "Monday Night Football." It's a role that she has handled with ease so far.
"Acosta-Ruiz brings over 15 years of experience to ESPN, including her notable work at NFL Network, where she became the first Afro-Latina to host a show on the network," her bio for ESPN states. "Her career at NFL Network began in 2018 as a Bay Area-based reporter covering the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders. Before that, she served as the lead sports anchor for NBC 7 and Telemundo 20 in San Diego, covering the Chargers, Padres, and international soccer in both English and Spanish broadcasts. During her tenure at Telemundo, she earned a regional Emmy in the Best Newscast category."
NFL Network had Acosta-Ruiz conduct interviews on the red carpet for this year's awards ceremony. That was her last major assignment before she packed her bags and flew to the "Land Down Under."
Earlier this week, Acosta-Ruiz shared a few photos from her vacation in Australia. She was sporting a neon swimsuit that left a few Instagram followers speechless.
"The pool noodle may have been overkill," Acosta-Ruiz wrote for her caption.
It turns out Acosta-Ruiz is on vacation with former Fox Sports personality Joy Taylor.
MJ Acosta-Ruiz was a former NFL cheerleader.
Before becoming a reporter for ESPN and NFL Network, Acosta-Ruiz was a cheerleader for the Miami Dolphins.
"I tried out for the Miami Dolphins cheerleaders many, many times," she said. "I'm so glad that I bet on myself and that I gave it one more shot because I will never forget that experience. To this day I carry it with me so closely."
NFL fans should expect to see Acosta-Ruiz on the sideline in the fall.
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