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What makes female American football athletes so awesome What makes female American football athletes so awesome
(7 months later)
The Mahalia Jackson Theater in New Orleans was filled to capacity during Super Bowl weekend with the most talented players in the NFL for the NFL Honors Award Show. The producer collected my 10 year-old daughter, Sam Gordon, from me for her part in a skit with Alec Baldwin and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. As the producers were preparing to tape the segment, Sam's American football highlights began to play on the jumbo video screens. The audience began to "ooh" and "aah" as Sam darted in and out of would-be tacklers, ran over others, and made some big hits on opposing runners. (Check out her highlight video here and give her a vote, please).The Mahalia Jackson Theater in New Orleans was filled to capacity during Super Bowl weekend with the most talented players in the NFL for the NFL Honors Award Show. The producer collected my 10 year-old daughter, Sam Gordon, from me for her part in a skit with Alec Baldwin and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. As the producers were preparing to tape the segment, Sam's American football highlights began to play on the jumbo video screens. The audience began to "ooh" and "aah" as Sam darted in and out of would-be tacklers, ran over others, and made some big hits on opposing runners. (Check out her highlight video here and give her a vote, please).
As the video concluded, Alec Baldwin introduced Sam by saying she is "perhaps the most unstoppable player on any football field!" Roger Goodell then chimed in, "And who knows, Sam? You may be the first woman to ever play in the NFL. Would you like that?" Sam responded, "No. I'm coming after your job!"As the video concluded, Alec Baldwin introduced Sam by saying she is "perhaps the most unstoppable player on any football field!" Roger Goodell then chimed in, "And who knows, Sam? You may be the first woman to ever play in the NFL. Would you like that?" Sam responded, "No. I'm coming after your job!"
The skit was funny and cute, but Commissioner Goodell told me he would seriously love to see a woman player in the professional league.The skit was funny and cute, but Commissioner Goodell told me he would seriously love to see a woman player in the professional league.
Sam wouldn't be the first woman to try out for the NFL because Lauren Silberman beat her to it. Silberman tried out last week as a kicker as part of a new system of regional tryouts open to any person willing to pay the participation fee. Last year, 43 players who attended the regional tryouts made it on NFL teams, according to Aditi Kinkhabwala.Sam wouldn't be the first woman to try out for the NFL because Lauren Silberman beat her to it. Silberman tried out last week as a kicker as part of a new system of regional tryouts open to any person willing to pay the participation fee. Last year, 43 players who attended the regional tryouts made it on NFL teams, according to Aditi Kinkhabwala.
NFL executive Eric Grubman noted that there was an "American Idol" feel to the regional tryouts. If I were Simon Cowell judging Silberman's tryout, I would tell her that she couldn't even get a spot on Sam's youth squad. Silberman threw in the towel on her tryouts after her second kickoff attempt went a disappointing 13 yards.NFL executive Eric Grubman noted that there was an "American Idol" feel to the regional tryouts. If I were Simon Cowell judging Silberman's tryout, I would tell her that she couldn't even get a spot on Sam's youth squad. Silberman threw in the towel on her tryouts after her second kickoff attempt went a disappointing 13 yards.
I showed Silberman's kick to Sam and, true to Sam's sweet heart, she formed a supportive and apologetic response:I showed Silberman's kick to Sam and, true to Sam's sweet heart, she formed a supportive and apologetic response:
"Dad, she was the first woman to try out and she was probably really nervous. Plus, she was hurt. It took a lot of courage for her to try out so you shouldn't be hard on her.""Dad, she was the first woman to try out and she was probably really nervous. Plus, she was hurt. It took a lot of courage for her to try out so you shouldn't be hard on her."
And that's one of the many reasons I love my daughter.And that's one of the many reasons I love my daughter.
Sam had a much different experience than Silberman when she tried out against 172 boys in her league last summer. She recorded the fastest times in every single speed and agility test. During the season, Sam rushed for nearly 2,000 yards, scored 35 times, and made 65 tackles. I have been asked frequently, does Sam have what it takes to make it in the NFL? The reality is probably not.Sam had a much different experience than Silberman when she tried out against 172 boys in her league last summer. She recorded the fastest times in every single speed and agility test. During the season, Sam rushed for nearly 2,000 yards, scored 35 times, and made 65 tackles. I have been asked frequently, does Sam have what it takes to make it in the NFL? The reality is probably not.
According to NCAA statistics, only 1.8% of university level American football players will make it to the NFL. And Sam's chances are slimmer than male players because she will be at a physical disadvantage when she and the boys mature. Consider that most Olympic female sprinters are 5'7 or 5'8 in height and weigh about 140 pounds, far smaller than almost all NFL athletes.According to NCAA statistics, only 1.8% of university level American football players will make it to the NFL. And Sam's chances are slimmer than male players because she will be at a physical disadvantage when she and the boys mature. Consider that most Olympic female sprinters are 5'7 or 5'8 in height and weigh about 140 pounds, far smaller than almost all NFL athletes.
But fulfilling a dream of playing in the NFL is not why Sam plays American football. Sam plays because it is fun. She started playing two-hand touch football during school recesses and loved that none of the boys could catch her. When she put the helmet and pads on, she discovered she loved hitting and tackling even more than she does dodging defenders. Check out Sam having fun playing with the US soccer team in this clip.But fulfilling a dream of playing in the NFL is not why Sam plays American football. Sam plays because it is fun. She started playing two-hand touch football during school recesses and loved that none of the boys could catch her. When she put the helmet and pads on, she discovered she loved hitting and tackling even more than she does dodging defenders. Check out Sam having fun playing with the US soccer team in this clip.
President Obama commented before the Super Bowl that if he had a son he'd have to think long and hard before he let him play due to injury concerns. To me, the risk of injury is easily dwarfed by the health benefits of playing a sport that gets kids off the couch. Like the NFL's Play 60 campaign, Michelle Obama's Let's Move campaign is designed to fight childhood obesity through activity, and football accomplishes that goal in a fun way that also teaches children important life lessons about teamwork, dedication, and good sportsmanship.President Obama commented before the Super Bowl that if he had a son he'd have to think long and hard before he let him play due to injury concerns. To me, the risk of injury is easily dwarfed by the health benefits of playing a sport that gets kids off the couch. Like the NFL's Play 60 campaign, Michelle Obama's Let's Move campaign is designed to fight childhood obesity through activity, and football accomplishes that goal in a fun way that also teaches children important life lessons about teamwork, dedication, and good sportsmanship.
I certainly hope a woman makes the pros one day, but I also know it's a high hurdle for women (and men). Frankly, when Sam heard about President Obama's comments, she said she'd love to teach his daughters how to throw and catch a football. If the president accepts Sam's invitation, who knows, one of his daughters may be the first woman to play in the NFL.I certainly hope a woman makes the pros one day, but I also know it's a high hurdle for women (and men). Frankly, when Sam heard about President Obama's comments, she said she'd love to teach his daughters how to throw and catch a football. If the president accepts Sam's invitation, who knows, one of his daughters may be the first woman to play in the NFL.
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