Meet Jack Jablonski: Michelle Beadle, ESPN 'SportsNation' Host, Accepts Paralyzed Student's Prom Invitation On Live Radio

A former high school hockey player who is paralyzed from the chest down will be taking ESPN “SportsNation” host Michelle Beadle to his prom.

Jack Jablonski, a student at Benilde-St. Margaret’s School in Minnesota, was paralyzed in 2011 after he was checked head-first into the boards during a hockey game, For the Win reports. Nowadays, he hosts a weekly radio segment entitled “Hockey Night in Minnesota” on 105 The Ticket.

During this week’s show, Jablonski and co-hosts Bob Sansevere and Mike Morris invited Beadle onto the show for an interview, Larry Brown Sports reports. Jablonski and Beadle had kept up a correspondence on Twitter, and his co-hosts had teased about his crush on the ESPN personality before the segment.

A few moments into the interview, Sansevere and Morris questioned Beadle about her availability in May. That’s when Jablonski jumped in with his prom request.

“Michelle, I’d formally like to invite you to my prom, but I know you’re busy,” Jablonski said. Beadle immediately accepted his invitation -- but with a stipulation.

“Seriously? I would love it. But can I wear an eighties dress to prom?” Beadle said. “[Your classmates] will be like, ‘why’d you bring a chaperone, Jack?’”

Still, Beadle did have a warning for Jablonski. “No alcoholic beverages, Jack,” she said. “I will be watching.”

In an email to Larry Brown Sports, Beadle expressed her excitement over Jablonski’s prom invitation. “I know that he’s a badass and someone I look up to immensely,” she said. “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!”