Earlier than Meghan Markle grew to become the Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry’s spouse, a former ESPN host had his sights set on her. Ryen Russillo, 49, as soon as tried to woo Meghan after they met at a star flag soccer sport throughout Tremendous Bowl weekend in 2014, in line with UsWeekly.

Talking on The Invoice Simmons podcast, Russillo recalled: “We performed in a star flag soccer sport collectively and it was all the [Sports Illustrated] swimsuit fashions. So, no one was actually paying any consideration to Markle.”

The star-studded match included former NFL stars, The Vampire Diaries’ Nina Dobrev, Black Panther’s Michael B Jordan, and Sports activities Illustrated fashions like Chrissy Teigen, Nina Agdal and Hannah Davis.

“I used to be like, ‘That is my lane. She’s in all probability doubting herself a bit bit proper now,'” Russillo stated. “She’s by no means been extra obtainable.”

This was simply earlier than the premiere of Fits season 4 and two years earlier than Meghan started courting Prince Harry. After the sport, Russillo determined to take an opportunity and despatched Meghan a cheeky direct message.

Russillo described the strategy as a really tender promote, saying: “It was, ‘Hey, I do know the brand new season of Fits is popping out if you happen to ever wish to come on the present to advertise.’ It was actually skilled.”

Regardless of this, he confessed to having an ulterior motive, stating: “It was like a gauging of curiosity,” and “Like, if I received an emoji again, who is aware of? ” Meghan did reply to his message, however not in the best way he had hoped. “It was ice chilly,” Russillo remembered.

“It was, ‘Oh, I do not know something about sports activities, however thanks for the provide.'” Ultimately, Russillo admitted: “It did not work out.”

Nevertheless, Meghan did achieve one thing from the movie star flag soccer sport – a lifelong friendship with Serena Williams.

Recalling their first assembly, Meghan wrote on her weblog The Tig in August 2014: “When Serena Williams barrelled in my route this previous February at an occasion, nails finished, hair finished, the whole lot did, I will be trustworthy and say I regarded behind me to see who she was operating to. It was Serena Williams, in any case.”

Markle went on to say: “We hit it off instantly, taking photos, laughing by means of the flag soccer sport we have been each taking part in in, and chatting not about tennis or performing, however about all the nice quaint girly stuff.

“So started our friendship. She rapidly grew to become a confidante I’d textual content after I was touring, the pal I’d rally round for her tennis matches, and the right down to earth chick I used to be capable of seize lunch with only a couple weeks in the past in Toronto.”