Michelle Beadle ‘honored’ to be paralyzed teen Jack Jablonski’s prom date
Jack Jablonski is definitely going to have the coolest date at his high school prom.
Jablonski, a teenager who was paralyzed from the chest down after being checked into the boards head-first during a high school hockey game in 2011, asked ESPN personality Michelle Beadle to his prom Wednesday, and she said yes.
Jablonski was co-hosting his weekly “Hockey Night in Minnesota” segment on 105 The Ticket and invited Beadle to be his guest on the show for the second time.
Jablonski’s co-hosts, Bob Sansevere and Mike Morris, were teasing the youngster about his crush on the “SportsNation” co-host prior to her guest appearance. Listeners quickly learned that Jablonski had something bigger planned.
A few minutes into the interview, Jablonski, who is a student at Benilde-St. Margaret’s School in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, asked Beadle to his prom.
“I’d formally like to invite you to my prom,” Jablonski said after his co-hosts introduced the subject.
Beadle gasped with excitement and astonishment, and she quickly said yes.
“Seriously, I would love it,” said Beadle.
“Can I wear an ’80s dress to the prom?” she asked, showcasing her typical quick humor and wit.
“And no alcoholic beverages, Jack, I will be watching,” she joked.
For Beadle, she’s hoping this will be her first positive prom experience after two disasters back when she was in high school.
The ESPN host told Larry Brown Sports that she has known Jack through Twitter the past few years. She shared her thoughts on the prom invite.
“I know that he’s a badass and someone I look up to immensely,” Beadle wrote to Larry Brown Sports in an email. “I was shocked when he asked today. And I adore him for doing it live on the radio. I’m honored to squeeze my 38 year old behind into a formal gown for a great night!”
This date sounds awesome and we can’t wait to hear how the night goes. The prom is in May.
And we have to commend Jablonski for having the courage to ask Beadle on air — that was very cool and it took a lot of guts!