Anyone who has ever tried to field a big kick during a game can relate to the fear of it going wrong and you looking foolish.
However for most people, they don't have to deal with the fact that there are 80,000 people in the stands and millions at home watching while it happens.
Ashley Ward, a sports photographer at the LSU v Auburn College Football game was trying to be a good samaritan by fielding the opening punt kick which had sailed out of bounds and was heading in her direction. Of course it all went terribly wrong when rather than land in her expectant arms, the ball decided to hit her full force in the face.
Oh boy. Have at it internet world. https://t.co/D0wKxioNzC
— Derek Tyson (@DerekTysonESPN) September 25, 2016
Let's take a look at that from a closer angle.
@SportsCenter @espn how not to catch the football. pic.twitter.com/WdEQEXtbIS
— Colin Edwards (@CBEdwards12) September 25, 2016
Ouch. That had to hurt. Miraculously though, Ward appeared to be unharmed afterwards. She took to Twitter to confirm she was OK.
I'm good tho https://t.co/q85Fsy2WXk
— ashley ward (@AshLaWard) September 25, 2016
Then a local sports anchor tweeted out a photo of Ashley after the game which confirmed that she was OK.
Here's Ashley, the girl who got it in the face with the kickoff. She's a great sport and is ok. #LSU pic.twitter.com/fmSEUc43YE
— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) September 25, 2016
What a trooper. Here's hoping the catch works out better for you next time Ashley.
Via Uproxx