Readers of this blog in its prior incarnation may remember the periodic feature “Meet Your Militia“, a series of informal interviews with players. That features continues now as “Renegade Recon”, since my original title (“Reconnoiter Your Renegades!”) was met with firm disapproval. Whatever, haters. So! Let’s do this thing.
Confession: when I first learned that we were having a breakaway banner made (one of those big vinyl things that people are supposed to burst through in dramatic fashion), I didn’t like the idea at all. I felt like with our beyond-limited budget, there were lots of higher-priority things…but mostly I kinda thought it would make us look like pompous jerks. There’s a line between confident and cocky, and I felt like this could easily appear to be over that line. But hey – not my call, and not a big enough deal to make a fuss about.
At the first game, I spent pretty much the entire time working and saw almost nothing of the game itself. But I wanted to watch my team take the field for the first time in this crazy improbable and did I mention crazy season, so I walked to where I could see the field. A few people were holding that goofy breakaway banner and I cringed a little inside. I expected a swarm of Renegades to descend on the banner, but instead, one player ran out alone. I was on the other end of the field and didn’t recognize her immediately – I actually had to check our roster to see who it was: Sue Quimby.
Sue Quimby? This was not one of our rock star players. This was not one of the 2015 season captains. This was not someone who had played for Boston throughout our illustrious career as a powerhouse team. This was a redacted -year-old suburban mom of two who hadn’t stepped onto a football field in over a decade. I processed that for a moment, and as I watched her leap through the Renegades banner and lead the team onto the field, all my apprehension turned to admiration. Sending Sue Quimby out in this role was the first public statement made by the Boston Renegades; I asked a good friend of mine on the team to give me some background on how that came about:
Sue was decided on because she played forever ago with the [New England] Storm. She left, got married, had two kids and came back. She broke her nose at practice and came back. Had a calf tear and came back. We figured, who better to represent what we are all about?
There’s a lot that’s really hard about this season, and there’s a lot that I wish were different. But as I watched Sue take the field, followed by so many amazing players, I thought Holy crap – we’re doing this. WE’RE doing this. This is us. This is who I want us to be.
In a bitterly ironic turn of events, after working so hard to get back on the field after so many years, Sue badly injured her knee in the game against Central Maryland and will be on the sidelines for the foreseeable future. But I am convinced that football isn’t done with Sue yet, even if her participation doesn’t look like what she thought it would be. On that note, let’s meet the woman that the Renegades chose to represent them as they introduced themselves to the world.
Before you started practice with the Renegades earlier this year, when was the last time you played tackle football? When did you decide to come back to it, and why?
Sue, in the very first season of the very first women’s tackle football team in the Boston area.Before the Renegades this year, I played in 2003 for the New England Storm out of Medford. I had planned on playing again the following year but the team disbanded and then life got in the way – I was working for two different police departments putting in long hours, I got married, and then I started having babies. I thought my playing days were over. Last fall my son started playing tackle football and I caught the fever again. I wanted to be out on the field like he was! In knew it would be tough to juggle everything, but nothing worth while in life comes easy!
You have a son and a daughter, and I believe they are both playing flag football. Are their teams co-ed or single gender? How do you perceive people’s attitudes about girls playing football now?
Both my kids play flag football in a co-ed league. At times, my six year old daughter was the only girl at the U6 level. Thankfully, she doesn’t care! Also thankfully, I see lots of girls playing in the older divisions. I think today there is a lot more acceptance for girls in any sport. But there is still negative feedback out there which is sad. I still hear little boys say to each other, “That team has a GIRL,” when they see my daughter out there. Its sad. Of course she just does her job and scores touchdowns and pulls flags so she thinks that is all funny! Which is perfect. I love telling the story about when I played in an after school flag football league when I was 11 (so we are talking 1984ish). There were no adult coaches, we just played and a teacher supervised. Sue & family.My good friend (a boy) was the team captain. I repeatedly asked him if I could be one of the two allowed “rushers” and go after the opposing QB. He kept ignoring me and finally said in the huddle, “Sue, girls don’t play football!” I was crushed! How could my good friend doubt me! So that next play I hung back in the secondary, watched the QB and picked off the pass and ran it back the length of the field for a touchdown. My friend apologized immediately, “I guess girls DO play football!” I think girls and women are just always going to have to prove themselves. But that’s ok, we are up to the task!
What did you learn (about yourself or about others) by coming back to play football? What did you learn after your injury?
When I came back to playing this year, the biggest thing I learned was that there are some AMAZING female football players around here! The calibre of play is above and beyond what I remembered. These women on the Renegades are serious! And they are not just physically talented, but they really know the game and all its nuances. I am totally impressed!
What is something that’s made you feel supported as a football player?
There are a few ways that I feel supported as a football player. The first are the amazing women who took over this team this winter and made the season happen for us. They have put in so much effort into getting us on the field! Then there are all the coaches. These men and women are awesome and show such a huge dedication to their players. Finally, all the support I received from the players, coaches, and owners after all my injuries has been amazing. I have always just showed up at work outs and practices, through the injuries, despite all of my family and work committments because I felt like that is what was expected of all players. I was surprised when people took notice of this. It really made me feel appreciated.
What is something you’d like to see happen that would make you feel more supported?
I would just love for the sport of womens football to grow and thrive. Getting more fans and publicity of course would be great, but we don’t play for any kind of notoriaty. We play because we love the sport. Unfortunately, its not like playing basketball where you can join a pick up league or running where you can sign up for local road races. Football requires a LOT of people and a lot of time practicing together – a true team sport. It requires a lot of organization and money. Financial support is what is needed most.
You’re the producer of a major Hollywood movie about the 2015 Boston Renegades season. What’s the theme song?
Bastille, Pompeii. “But if you close your eyes/Does it almost feel like/Nothing changed at all?”
A lot has changed, but when we keep on winning, has anything really changed? When Sue Quimby’s your mom, can you possibly be anything but awesome?
For a Japanese translation of this introduction, please click here. Many thanks to my friend Catherine for taking the time to do that; it’s greatly appreciated. Niko chose to answer her interview questions in English, so her answers appear below as they were written.
This is the first Meet Your Militia that I have ever begun with an apology, but it’s necessary. Niko sent me back the responses to her interview questions days ago, but every time I sat down to write this introduction, I found myself unable to do it. The words wouldn’t come and I didn’t know why. So I read and re-read the articles that told her story, like this one. And I thought. And I didn’t write.
And then I pulled up old Youtube footage of Super Bowl XXXII, the 1998 game that was such a catalyst for Niko. I watched Terrell Davis talk about that game fifteen years later. And I thought. And I still didn’t write.
And then for some reason, as I was looking through game photos to find ones for this post, I suddenly knew why I was having so much trouble writing it. If there’s something I don’t really care about, I can write about it pretty easily (’cause who cares?). If it IS something that I care about, I can usually write about it pretty easily because I have a lot to say about it. But if it’s something that I really care about, deeply and strongly and in my heart, any words I try to use are not enough. It feels like I’m not doing the subject justice.
So apparently the way I deal with that is to read internet articles and watch Youtube until I get over myself and start talking, which I am doing now. (more…)
OK, so a little more than a year ago I wrote this post, which contained the following:
Here’s a recent conversation between Backseat Coach and me regarding upcoming games (certain sensitive information has been removed for security reasons):
Me: Do you ever worry about what would happen if redacted ? I mean, what if someone just redacted ?
BSC: Nah. If redacted , then redacted would totally redacted .
Me: Ooh! You think so?
BSC: redacted yeah, I do.
Courtesy of the Freedom of Information Act and also the It Totally Doesn’t Matter Anymore Act, here is the original, uncensored conversation:
Me: Do you ever worry about what would happen if Whit got hurt? I mean, what if someone just fuckin’ broke her leg or something?
BSC: Nah. If Zelee got hurt, then Asia would totally step up and kick ass.
Me: Ooh! You think so?
BSC: [Some curse word] yeah, I do.
And guess what? He was totally right. Last year, in the Militia’s eight regular season games, Asia rushed for a total of 298 yards, averaging 37 yards per game. And this year, Whit did get hurt in the first game, and what happened? In the FIVE regular season games, Asia rushed for 459 yards – an average of 92 yards per game. HOLY CRAP.
Who does that? Who says oh, looks like my team needs me, time to triple my friggin’ production, la la la? Not many people. But here’s one of them.
Describe for us the difference – if there is one – between plays as a running back and those where you’re returning kicks. Does it feel like the same thing? Do you prefer one to the other?
I would say the biggest difference between running the ball at back and running the ball on kick return is that at running back, my running route is almost predetermined. Ideally, I know where my blocks will be before the play starts. Whereas on kickoff, the defense is a little more unpredictable no matter how many times we practice it. I do love my position at running back, but to successfully achieve a touchdown on kick return is way more thrilling. I did that for the first time last season against the New York Sharks at the very start of the game. Aside from my first career touchdown and the game-winning two point conversion I scored against the Divas [which was effing awesome, by the way – mc] that caused the Militia to win our last regular season game by one point, that kick return TD is my favorite. I wish I could have run another one back this season, but teams don’t kick the ball in my direction much this year, heh.
When my body is tired of doing something, I sit down on my ass. When your body is tired of doing something, you do it for like two more hours. Can you articulate what it is that makes you push through the parts that are really hard?
There are some moments when our offense huddles and I can hear everyone, at all positions, breathing heavily and Cahill says “C’mon, we’re all tired, don’t quit on me now.” It’s things like this that zap me with a little bit more energy. There are other times – like in practice and during games when Whitney Zelee plays four quarters without a sub and she never complains and she never gets lazy…that in itself is inspiring. Lastly, during heavy conditioning practices, Coach is constantly yelling “The other team will get tired before we do!” So in short, when I get tired, I play for my teammates and I play for my coach because they count on me to do my job, so I try to complete my job regardless of being tired or hurt. Being a part of something great is rewarding just by contributing to the greatness. Quitting is hard when people depend on you, so when I get tired I remember that my teammates and coaches are counting on me.
The phenomenal two point conversion in DC that practically gave us all a heart attack.
What do you know now that you didn’t know when you started playing football? (Interpret that however you want.)
This is technically my fourth season, although I’m not sure if my first season counts because on the first play of my rookie season in Connecticut I fractured my tailbone and broke my hand; I ended my rookie season on the injured list. One of the things I know now that I wish I had known before is the importance of working hard in the offseason. Whitney Zelee shared a quote with me last year after she achieved 2,000 yards in the regular season: “Winners are made in the offseason.” I’ve worked harder during this post/pre-season than I ever did during any other and now I can proudly say I was awarded first team, all-conference runningback [in the 2014 WFA All-American Game]. When you’re constantly thinking of football, the game becomes slower on the field.
What is something that’s made you feel supported as a Militia player?
I feel most support from my teammates and coaches. I wouldn’t have made it past my rookie year if Coaches Robert Perryman and Donnie Williams hadn’t called to check up on me throughout the postseason. In fact, I thought about giving up football last season, but talented players like Whitney Zelee, Dorothy Donaldson and Allison Cahill believed I had the talent to become a great asset to the team if I chose to work harder. With such great players as those cheering me on and checking up on me during the offseason, I HAD to come back and give football another try. Don’t get me wrong; I love the support from the fans, my friends and my family but when the ladies I look up to – the ladies I bleed and sweat alongside with – recognize and support my efforts, it influences me in an impactful way.
What is something you’d like to see happen that would make you feel more supported?
Yeah, I don’t do stuff like this. #bleacherseats4lifeI would really like for women to start being paid for playing football. We make a lot of sacrifices to be able to play – not just Militia players but female tackle football players everywhere. I strongly believe that if women were paid to play football, the athletic level would increase. Let’s face it: playing semi-pro tackle football is pretty much a second job and some careers don’t allow time to train for and play football. Player’s name redacted has played this season with tears in her Achilles; currently player’s name redacted is choosing to complete her season with a torn ACL and a damaged meniscus. Nose guard Noriko Kokura – whom we call Niko – once told me: “We are football players; our bodies are different than men’s but we play with the same heart, the same passion for football.” We all make sacrifices to be a part of this game; it would be nice to be recognized for such.
Also, HBO has a show that follows professional football players during their preseason so fans get to know the players in a more personal light; I would love to see the female semi-pro level get the same treatment. I think that if football fans saw all the work we put into football, we’d build a wider fan base because they’d be able to witness how serious we are about this sport.
Do you plan to keep defying all the haters who claim hashtags are played out? #becauseisuredo
#TeamRebel! I love Hashtags…I don’t even have Twitter but I hashtag all the time, even during text messages! And I don’t plan on stopping either.
I don’t think it’s news that your Militia Cheerleader was not a lifelong die-hard fan of the game of football. I liked to watch the Pats on TV, sure, but I had never attended any kind of football game before attending a Militia game. And while that was five years ago and I’ve learned massive amounts since then, I’m still very much an amateur fan. People like Backseat Coach apparently grow like six more pairs of eyes when they watch a game – that’s the only way I can think of that they can take in so much at the same time. Unless I decide consciously to keep my eyes on a certain player before a play starts, I’m generally just looking at wherever the ball is at any given time. And I don’t think I’m alone in that. It’s no secret that the playmakers get the attention; they’re who we’re usually watching.
I think it must take a certain kind of strength and self-confidence to be someone other than them; to go out on the field play after play and know that it probably won’t be your name that people remember. To know that there’s little chance that you’ll end up in the spotlight of a press release or a news article. To know that no one off the field may ever understand exactly how good you are at what you do.
But you get to know this, too: those players in the spotlight – those stars shooting down the field or leaping above everyone else to make a catch – there’s absolutely no way they’d be able to do any of that without you there to do what you do. Their successes are your successes, even if other people don’t always know it. So yeah, I don’t think everyone could play that role. But some can. And some rock it big time. Meet Kandi.
When did you start playing football, and how have you seen the game change in the years since you started?
I started playing football back in 2008 when the Militia first came into existence. My best friend’s sister got me involved; I had never heard of women playing tackle football before then. I do think the knowledge of women’s tackle football is progressively increasing. I say this because when I travel to away games, more often than not I’m stopped by people in the airport as I carry my shoulder pads in one hand and my boarding pass in another. They ask me what sport I play, and when I tell them “professional women’s tackle football” I get all types of reactions. There’s old ladies who tell me how much they support women in sports and there’s manly men who bring up the Lingerie League. Sometimes I have to laugh and just educate people about the progression of this sport, where we started and where we want to go. And we have such a supportive owner who provides us with Militia-related gear which allows us to advertise for the team – and the sport – with Militia logos on our vehicles, warm-up jackets, bags, etc. Women’s football is definitely becoming more known.
Tell us about the process of making a really amazing block. Can you tell when a play is going to work before it happens? What do you look for? Are you conscious of making decisions or does it feel more instinctive? (Answer only if it doesn’t give away trade secrets!)
Ha! Trade secrets. Even if I gave the other team a hint they still couldn’t stop us ’cause we are a machine that CAN’T be stopped! Like any good athlete you have to size up your opponent. Figure out their weakness and expose it. Now there is no secret to making an amazing block; it just comes down to knowing the play and which direction it’s going. For the offensive line, you want to make your job as easy as possible. On a run play you know that the back is gonna be right on your a** – and we have some fast-a** backs so you have to say to yourself, what’s the easiest route to take to get to where I want to go? and then do it effectively. Now with certain teams like the Divas, there’s a pretty decent middle linebacker – she’s like the piece that holds everything together. If you break that piece, they start to fall apart. So in my eyes that’s my point of attack.
Yes, I did recruit her. We played in a basketball league together and she was my biggest competition. I liked her “athletic swag”. I think that’s what I look for with any person I am trying to recruit. I mean, I don’t go out with the intention of recruiting but I guess you could say that’s the coach in me, always looking for talent. When I came onto the Militia there were tons of ladies who had been playing for six years or more already. I knew eventually it would take a toll on their bodies and the Militia would need some young new bodies to continue the march to greatness. So when I am out and I come across a female who has played a sport – particularly basketball – who I think would be a good candidate for the Militia, I go to work. Sometimes I’ll even invite them to the afterparties to meet the team and coaches. You know Beasley loves new bodies, especially tall ones. New bodies make the current players better, whether it’s making them work harder to keep their position or just giving numbers at practice to go up against. Bottom line, I am always looking to continue the existence of good talent on the Militia.
What is something that’s made you feel supported as a Militia player?
Junior & Kandi holding Baby Scout (who apparently thought this was a gameface picture)It’s funny because earlier in my athletic career, I never really liked anyone coming to my games to cheer me on because it always made me nervous. But now that I am older, it makes me feel good when my family comes to cheer me on, yelling my name from the stands and waving. But also knowing that we as a team have so much support not only from family and friends but from the town of Somerville makes me feel good too. I like turning around and seeing the stands jammed packed with the colors of red and black and skull and crossbones paraphernalia. Or the kids running around after the game asking for our autographs. Makes me think to myself, wow, we are making such a positive impact, not just for women’s football but women’s sports. That’s an amazing feeling!
What is something you’d like to see happen that would make you feel more supported?
For the next step, I’d like to have us broadcast on TV. I mean, we already have the commercials why not go a step further and provide people who can’t physically be at the game the ability to still see us in action? Not to put Junior (#99/OL) on blast but her parents live in Western Mass, about an hour and a half away from Boston. Her dad rushes home from work to watch the game on the livestream but more often than not there are some issues and he’s unable to see the game, which makes him angry. TV broadcasting would not only allow people who can’t make the game to tune in but it would also allow us to reach an even bigger audience – which can lead to bigger opportunities.
Rarely do we here on this site explore topics as personal as addiction, but I think we’ve built up a sufficient level of trust. As such: exactly how many pairs of sneakers do you own, and which are your current favorites?
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Ha! People have been asking me this question and it was only a matter of time before you did. I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s an “addiction” – more “a love for”. Addiction sounds so bad! But I’d say I own around 70 pairs of footwear. I can totally picture people’s faces after reading that but I promise you, I am not a hoarder. I used to have more but I have been downsizing lately so for every new pair I buy, I give a pair away – usually my “bust downs” (worn out, holes, no tread, really dirty) which I’ve been told aren’t really “bust downs” because I’ve worn the shoe like once or twice. I actually considered selling them on eBay – I mean, after all, I am a Militia celebrity…someone would buy them, right? Heh.
It’s really hard to say which pairs are my favorites. I have so many. Lately I’ve been hooked on the really bright colors, like the Nike’s I bought a week or two ago. I don’t really want to reveal the name now. I am saving them for a “show-stopper” type of night. Who knows? You may see me rocking them on Saturday night after the game.
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[one_half_last]
Sneaker Fiend
Often imitated never duplicated profiles my style
Never sport a sneaker that ain’t worthwhile
Won’t see another on the street rep like me
From the throw back Jordan’s to the current industry
Got love for my sneakers no need to say more
Especially the Vans in which I rock hardcore
You’ll be amazed, got Sperry’s for days
But don’t try to search, they’re not on eBay
Stacks of kicks, for that last minute clutch
They add to the gear and give it the final touch
As a matter of fact,
My closet’s so stacked
Had to create another rack
Just to keep them intact
Kicks so fire, too HOT for TV
Can’t go anywhere without the envy.
So I guess I am a fiend!
-Kandi
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Thanks, Kandi! We know you’ll kick some ass tomorrow in whatever footwear you sport.
Buzz Alert! have you read Backseat Coach’s Round 2 Game Previews yet? No? What the hell’s the matter with you?
Early in the 2010 season, towards the end of a game, I watched a rookie I didn’t know run the ball into the end zone. She threw her arms up in triumph and ran back to the sideline where her teammates were lined up to congratulate her enthusiastically. I wasn’t totally sure what was going on – I mean, yeah, it was a nice run and all, but the Militia were already up by quite a few points and I didn’t know what the big deal was with this play. I asked a friend of mine about it after the game. “Oh, that was her first touchdown,” my friend said. “And she’s going to be amazing.”
That friend was right. Tiamfook (RB, #28) quickly became one of the leading scorers on the team, able not just to maneuver around defenders but power through them as well. In fact, it seems that the greatest challenge she faces in her football career is getting people to get her last name right. (I’ve seen Tian Foon in writing; Emory Hunt, the Football Gameplan guy, calls her Tiamfork and at least twice during last Saturday’s game, Toin Coss Announcer Guy pronounced it “Zelee”.) In exchange for spelling it correctly, she was kind enough to answer some questions for us before this week’s away game against DC.
Some people refer to teams like the Militia as women’s pro football, since there is no “higher” level. Some call it semi-pro, as players are not paid (and, in fact, have to pay in order to play). And others don’t like either of those terms. When you explain what you play to people who haven’t heard about it before, what do you call it?
When I talk about women’s football, I refer to it as semi-pro. In my mind, professional athletes are compensated for their time, putting their bodies at risk, representing their cities, and entertaining their fans. As you stated, not only are we not paid, we are asked to either find a sponsor or pay a “player fee” out of pocket. I must admit that this is one of the questions that I am asked most often and unfortunately one of the very few things I am embarrassed to talk about.
Game day is made up of a bunch of smaller pieces: whatever one does in the morning before meeting up with the rest of the team, pre-game rituals, warmup, taking the field, early game, halftime, late game, post-game rituals, afterparty, whatever else is in there that I don’t know about because I don’t play football. What is your favorite part of game day?
Game day rituals for me start long before the actual day of the game. I am normally not great about drinking water, but on game weeks, I turn hydration into a part time job (my teammates joke that I should get an endorsement deal from Vita Coco because I’m always seen drinking coconut water). There is also tons of time spent watching film and doing visualizations. I don’t just run through the plays in mind, I’m actually thinking about how I want to position my body, where the defenders will be and how I will handle them. My favorite part of game day is when I step on the field for my very first play. Practice is over, hydrating is over, warm-up and stretching are over, coaches are muted, it’s just me and my teammates against the other “guys”.
Which is more fun: running with the ball when you guys have totally fooled the defense and there’s no one in front of you at all, or running with the ball straight over, around and through a bunch of defenders?
No contest…I much prefer to run over a defender. There is no greater feeling than running over a person that is trying to tackle you.
What is something that’s made you feel supported as a Militia player?
There are several examples but one incident immediately comes to mind. In the summer of 2011, I can remember coming out of a long, hot, tiring practice. As I dragged my aching body to my car, I could hear an SUV coming down the road along side me honking his horn. I turned to look as it slowly drove past me, there were two little girls hanging out of there window, while their dad drove. They were all screaming GO MILITIA! The dad yelled, “good luck this weekend. we will be there!” That brought the biggest smile to my face and knowing that there are little girls out there who look up to us definitely motivates me to work even harder.
What is something you’d like see happen that would make you feel more supported?
There are several things that need to happen to get this sport on the map but there are unfortunately only a small group of people, with limited resources trying to get it there. As we talked about earlier, to really call this a professional sport, you need to pay the players. To do this takes a ton of sponsors, many more than the teams have now. However sponsors want exposure and to get that, the sport needs to be televised. To be televised, the sport needs to be appealing to the masses (I know the non-ignorant, true lovers of football will most definitely be entertained by the skill of the players and intensity of the games despite the fact that we play with our CLOTHES ON). I will however say that it is obvious that some games are more entertaining to watch than others. There are over 50 teams in the league, and most of those teams would not be able to have a competitive game with the Militia. I think to really make a difference in the sport, the top teams will need to play each other on a regular basis and those games will need to marketed to the media. The other teams should be placed into a developmental league, just like what is currently done for men’s pro basketball and baseball. So in summary…create a league with just the big dogs, put those games on TV, recruit sponsors, and PAY THE PLAYERS!
Apparently the Endzone Militia trust her with firearms.Just this week you received your Masters Degree from Northeastern University. From the photo of the diploma I saw on Facebook, it looks like your degree is in Exploratory Affairs for Drags, Violencia and Medieval Oysters. What exactly do you plan on doing with this degree?
Ha! I received an MS in Regulatory Affairs for Drugs, Biologics, and Medical Devices. I actually currently work as a Manager of Regulatory Affairs for Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation (the second largest pharmaceutical company in the world). As a regulatory affairs manager, I represent my company when we interact with global health authorities and I also work with our internal project teams to ensure that drugs that we develop are both safe and effective.
Thanks, Tiamfork! Can’t wait to see what you do next.
When she reaches the semi-circle of players, she will lead a loud, celebratory count-off of the number of games the team has won that season. She is, literally, a ring-leader. She is JC, D-line, #54.
[NB: Below are JC’s interview questions followed by her answers, which are then followed by some commentary by me in italics.]
You’ve been playing tackle football for quite some time. When did you start? How do you think women’s football has changed since then?
I’ve been playing football for 13 years. I started with the New England Storm, then played with the Boston Warriors/Rampage and now I play for the Militia. The changes from when I started playing include the number of different leagues, the total teams involved and the exposure that the sport gets.
I was the assistant basketball coach at Simmons College for one season, and I recently concluded a season as assistant basketball coach at the Winsor School in Boston. I played basketball for four years at Emmanuel College, and in high school I played basketball and softball. (I tried volleyball but was not feeling the tiny shorts.)
I believe that playing sports can help give girls a sense of empowerment, self-confidence, commitment and respect.
MC: It’s likely that the theme of girls playing sports may come up frequently in my writing this season; as I adjust to being the parent of two young boys, I have been giving a lot of thought to kids’ emotional development and what we as adults can do to help both boys and girls grow up safe and healthy (both physically and emotionally). JC’s answer above is a great starting point for what I’d like to examine further.
Tell us one of your favorite moments from any of the games you’ve played.
One of my favorite moments was scoring a touchdown off a fumble recovery. And coming close to another TD last season, if [player’s name redacted] didn’t let some 300-pound girl outrun her. (OK, she wasn’t 300 pounds. But [player’s name redacted] did miss the block.)
Well, I’m more of the emotional leader of my team. I feel the love and support when my Militia teammates allow for me to do my thing before and after the game – I’m like the Ray Lewis for my team.
MC: Conversation at our house yesterday: Militia Cheerleader: Hey, JC says she’s the Ray Lewis of the Boston Militia. Backseat Coach: What, she cries all the time? MC: I don’t think that’s what she meant. BSC: Well, I think she’s WAY tougher than Ray Lewis. MC: No shit.
What is something you’d like see happen that would make you feel more supported?
I would like to see bigger crowds at the games (standing-room-only type of shit), and media coverage on a consistent basis.
MC: This (poor promotion and poor media coverage) will also be a theme on this blog this season. Spoiler: I plan to blame the WFA, mainstream media, team management and ingrained misogyny.
Tiny Coach’s second birthday is coming up towards the end of April. What should Backseat Coach and I get him?
Once upon a time there was a NFL running back named Jerome Bettis, who earned the nickname “The Bus” due to his ability to carry the ball forward even with multiple defenders riding along on his back. This ability (and, thus, this nickname) also belong to Boston Militia running back Dot (#39), whom I have repeatedly watched push forward through seemingly impossible crowds of opposing team members to earn the Militia a first down in crucial situations.
This Bus has another kind of power behind her as well – I had the good fortune to be sitting near Dot’s mom during the Superbowl in Texas last year, and if I ever find myself in a similar situation with the Player to Be Named Later I can only hope to be a fraction of how awesomely and enthusiastically supportive she was. How many moms do YOU know who sing songs about their daughters’ plays on the football field as they happen? Not nearly enough, that’s how many.
Dot was generous enough to use some of her already-scarce free time to be this season’s first Meet Your Militia participant, for which I’m very appreciative. Thanks, Dot, and best of luck at the home opener on Saturday!
I think the most difficult part of playing football is the continuous grind. Working a full time job, the multiple facets of preparing for the game can take its toll in a long season. It adds another term to the equation for work/life balance – it becomes the work/football/life balance. For me all the work is worth the most rewarding part of football. Scoring is always great, making the leading block for a score is always great but the best is seeing the face of one of my teammates light up after doing those things. They are my family and the greatest reward is making my family proud.
What differences, if any, do you think will come from playing in the WFA this year instead of the IWFL?
In light of most of the top teams leaving the IWFL, I think the main difference will be the level of competition. We have an opportunity now to prove ourselves against the best teams every game. I also hope that from that comes more notoriety for women’s football.
You’re a seasoned Militia veteran, while a fair number of this year’s running backs are rookies. When you watch them play, can you see yourself when you first started? What are the major changes you can identify in yourself since then?
I can definitely see glimpses of myself as a rookie in the rookie running backs we have this year. You see the will of wanting to perform well but the uncertainty in their movements. No matter how talented you are, it’s definitely a comedy of errors the first time you put on the pads and the helmet. Then it becomes about settling down and trusting in your ability, teammates and coaches. They have definitely come along very well. I’m excited to see them excel and I hope that I can help guide them and be someone for them to lean on.
The core of Dot's fan club: Momma & fiancée Jill.What is something that’s made you feel supported as a Militia player?
I definitely think the best support anyone can have is that of their family and friends. I definitely have this – I call my mom before every game and she usually gives me a rhyme for the game along the lines of us winning and me running over someone. You have to listen to what momma says so it gets me in good spirits and pumped up for the game. Jill, my fiancée, comes to every home game and some of the away games as well. My co-workers come to games and they like to get updates on how the season is going. The company I work for has sponsored the team for the last four seasons including this one. At work, my desk is a stop on the “tour” of the office for potential clients – I’m introduced as a player for the Super Bowl champion Boston Militia. Our fan base and home crowd is growing each season and we definitely have great dedicated fans.
I hope that our fan base can spread to more communities. I believe we have really good coverage in Somerville thanks largely to the Somerville Scout and our home field being in Somerville. Our friends and family definitely spread the news of the team by word of mouth. It would be great if we could get scores reported in the Globe or the Herald and on the local news…possibly even short game summaries. If high school football can get in the news, why can’t we? There are a lot of people who don’t know that the Militia exist. The fact is that we have a winning program that goes unnoticed because people just don’t know about us. If winning games and championships and winning over critics doesn’t ignite interest and create a buzz I’m not really sure what can.
We hear that you recently got engaged (congrats!!). Inquiring minds want to know: will the reception feature Militia karaoke?
Thank you so much; we are definitely excited. I’m not so sure Militia karaoke will make an appearance at the wedding reception, but hopefully it will make an appearance at the bachelorette party!
Schwartzie (#78) is a two-year O-line player who proves her bad-assery not only on the field but on the dance floor as well. She was also kind enough to be the Pre-Bling-Day Meet Your Militia subject, although if you are Schwartzie (or, apparently, the Backseat Coach), every day is Bling Day.
1. What surprised you the most – or what didn’t you expect – about playing for the Militia (or playing football in general)?
Hmm, what surprised me the most? Perhaps the close friendships that I developed over the past two years – well, that might be what I didn’t expect. I think what surprised me the most was how far I could push myself to become a member of the Boston Militia. As Smash likes to quote me, I was an overweight, out-of-shape 38-year-old who had never played tackle football and now I’m playing with some people literally half my age.
Schwartzie vs. the New England Intensity
Game Face, followed immediately by Post-Game Face
2. You are part of the undefeated 11-0 World Champion 2010 Boston Militia team, and tomorrow you’ll be receiving a Superbowl ring. Can you articulate what that means to you? (Also, do you plan to wear the ring, like, 24/7?)
It’s very surreal and there are times when I still don’t believe it’s true. For me, it’s a great accomplishment; I haven’t come in first for anything since 2nd grade Field Day. To be a part of a Championship team is something that is extremely special and very few people get to experience. I am so going to wear my ring everyday, but I’ll give it a rest at night…don’t need to retain fluid in my fingers.
3. July 10, 2010 marked two memorable occasions: it was the day you guys shut out the D.C. Divas in a massively-anticipated ECC rematch and it was also your 40th birthday. Is there one moment that was the highlight of that day for you?
The highlight of the day was when I saw my Dad in the stands and he was wearing my number (78). But the entire day was awesome: birthday wishes from teammates, walking into the locker room and getting a gameday hug from Cahill, beating the Divas, AND Chocolate Cake shots with the O-line at the afterparty.
Schwartzie signals victory over the NY Sharks in the 2010 Divisional Playoffs.4. What is something that’s made you feel supported as a Militia player?
I think all the support that Ernie Boch, Jr. has given us has been tremendous. He supports the team with advertising, transportation and outfitting us so we can look professional. Would love to see a little more merchandising, but it’s getting better as the fan base is increasing. My co-workers are always asking about the team, how we’re doing and when the next game is. The residents of Somerville are great by coming to our games. I love it when the kids ask for my autograph. The best was when my friend Sug made a sign and I was in her FAB 5. I like the occasional media events that happen with various radio stations, but I wish they would take it a little more seriously and not ask us about the Lingerie League.
5. What is something you’d like see happen that would make you feel more supported?
I would love to see some sort of blurb in the Sunday papers with at least our score instead of a one-off article at the beginning or end of the season. After hearing that the Kansas City Tribe got to go to Arrow Head Stadium and get announced at one of the Chiefs pre-season games as the 2009 IWFL Champs, I had fantasies about going to Gillette and rubbing elbows with the Patriots O-line, but I’ll settle for more coverage in the mainstream media, both print and broadcast. I would love a cable channel to broadcast the games, that’d be sweet.
Schwartzie the Birthday Girl gettin' down to 'Dancing Queen' after helping to defeat the DC Divas in the Eastern Conference Championship game.6. Care to defend your apparent addiction to ABBA?
Who doesn’t like ABBA?! It’s such great music; you can’t help but feel happy after you listen to ABBA. Infectious, bubble gum pop with catchy hooks and it’s great to dance to. Yes, I have seen Mamma Mia! the musical six times, but where else can you see ABBA music performed live? I could blame this one on my parents; we grew up with an 8-track (yeah, I’m dating myself) in my Mom’s car, my parents joined Columbia House (really dating myself) and we had four ABBA 8-tracks that we’d listen to constantly. It was better than listening to Nat King Cole and Herb Albert over and over (although, I’m fans of them too).
Coda: We would be remiss in our duties if we featured Schwartzie without also featuring her BAMF tattoo, emphasis on the BA. For reals, yo.
Defensive back Penta (#36) holds a number of distinctions, but I wish to highlight two of them here: one, she was unanimously voted MVP of the Eastern Conference Championship game by me and Barker’s stepmom[ref]the Backseat Coach got upset that he was not included in this statement but I explained that he waited until the end of the game to award her this designation while we declared it official several minutes before halftime.[/ref] and two, she has the coolest grandmother around. (Nanny, if you read this, I’m ready to storm the Boston Globe building with you, and I’m sorry I swear so much.)
1. Of the games you’ve played for this team, is there one that you consider your favorite? Which one and why?
Of all the games I’ve played, my favorite would have to be the one we just played against the Divas, for so many reasons: it advanced us to the Championship; they’re our arch-nemesis (the equivalent of Superman and Lex Luther, where the Militia = Superman); we shut them out; and IT JUST FELT SO GOOD!
Although we had beaten them twice during the regular season, we still had to put the work in during our many bye weeks to prepare, because once you make the playoffs it’s anyone’s game. There’s so much history between the Militia and the Divas (most, if not all of our supporters are well aware of this) and we made a promise to ourselves and our supporters that we were on a mission not to let history repeat itself. Check! On to the next one…
2. How did you first find out about the Boston Militia? What experience did you have with football before then?
I first found out about the IWFL in January of 2007, when my mom saw an ad in my local newspaper for tryouts for the Bay State Warriors and jokingly suggested I try out. I went online and did some research, and it looked pretty awesome. I recruited two of my friends to try out with me and it was amazing! I’ve been addicted ever since. I had played Pop Warner football when I was in 6th & 7th grade, and I also played on my high school powderpuff team in my senior year.
3. During one scary, rainy game in 2008, you were injured and got taken off the field on a stretcher into an ambulance. (Thankfully, you either had no lasting damage or have been doing a kick-ass job of hiding it for two years.) What were your thoughts after that happened? Did it make you nervous at all to return to playing?
When it was happening, it was terrifying and painful – it was more of a reality check than anything. It’s one of those things that you know can happen, but you don’t think it will ever happen to you. Overall, it was a very scary experience, one I never want to go through again. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous about returning to play, but if you play with hesitation, that’s when most injuries occur.
After that, I put a lot more effort into working on my technique and tackling properly to avoid injury as much as possible. Plus, the way I see it, you can get hurt doing anything – clearly, launching your body around increases your chances, but at least it’s fun!
Nanny with her crew4. What is something that’s made you feel supported as a Militia player?
My family and friends go above and beyond to support me every week. They tailgate before every home game (even in the rain), they made an awesome sign and if they can’t make the game, they listen to it on the radio. I even have five family members traveling to Texas to support us in the championship game. One of them is my grandmother, who is by far my biggest fan – she has put off vacations this summer to come to our games, she even weathered our playoff game vs. the Sharks in the rain (I spotted her in the stands wearing a sombrero to protect her hair). There are a few things my grandmother can’t stand, including heat and humidity, rain, flying and the D.C. Divas – and she is going to fly to Texas in the middle of July! Seriously, if that doesn’t make a person feel supported I don’t know what will. And she doesn’t just love the Militia because of me, she supports the entire team. She carries our program around to show it off to random people[ref]Ooh! I do that too! Right on![/ref] and every time I talk to her she says “I believe in all of you; if anyone can do it, it’s the Militia. You girls are wonderful.” Oh Nanny, we love you too!
5. What is something you’d like see happen that would make you feel more supported?
It would definitely be cool to see our scores in the paper. Here’s another Nanny reference: every week she checks the Sunday paper sports section to see if they did a small write-up or even just put the results in the score column…needless to say, she is not very happy with the Globe or the Herald.
I also think that given all the sports networks that are out there today, we should get a little coverage. If they have room to cover bowling and billiards, I’m sure there is a time slot out there for women’s football. I’m just saying.
6. Assuming you have an iPod or mp3 player of some sort, please put it on “shuffle” and list the very first three songs that come up. (No skipping the embarrassing ones.)
OK, here they are: “Last Night” by Az Yet, “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper, “A Decade Under the Influence” by Taking Back Sunday.
Next up on “Meet Your Militia” is wide receiver/tight end Weiny (the Artist Formerly Known as RJ) (#85), who was generous enough to take on this interview when I probably should have left her alone to prepare for the Showdown in Somerville (hey, did that guy even show up for the damn toin coss? I totally didn’t see that guy there). However, as evidenced from the photo below, I don’t think I did much permanent damage to her concentration, as she is clearly able to simultaneously run circles around defensive backs AND provide further evidence of the Boston Militia’s odd obsession with Lionel Ritchie.
1. When you’re on the field during a game, can you hear the snippets of songs that are broadcast over the PA system between plays? Can you hear the announcer?
When I’m on the sideline I can certainly hear the music, and I admit I’ll dance a little. But on the field, it’s like white noise. I’ll occasionally hear a teammate screaming my name or a coach directing me, but other than that I have no idea what’s going on off the field. However, I can definitely hear “Brick House” after the four million TDs Mia scores.
2. If you could invite anyone in the world to one of your games (and have them accept the invitation), who would it be? (I was pretty much thinking “famous people”, but you could say “the Rwandan orphan I’ve been sponsoring through UNICEF” or something and make me feel like a tool, if you wanted.)
Hmmm, that’s a crazy question because there are so many people who I wish could see what we do! I’m gonna have to say Vince Young. He made that comment a while back about football being a “man’s sport” and women shouldn’t play BLAH BLAH BLAH. I’m all about proving people wrong, so I would LOVE for him to be front and center at one of our games…he can even stand on the sidelines with us (if he’s not too scared of people knocking him over).
And maybe Lionel Richie could come sing “All Night Long” for us in the locker room?? The whole team would just die of excitement.
Weiny (together with Samurai (#9)) demonstrates why it's not a good idea to make bets involving post-game celebration wardrobe choices.
3. Often, people’s nicknames bear at least some relation to their given name. Your name is Emily W. and your first nickname when you joined the Militia was RJ. Care to explain?
Well, I’m Jewish. Clearly – my last name is Weinberg. So when I was a rookie, Alpo (also Jewish) started calling me RJ for Rookie Joo (yes, we spell it Joo – this is not meant to be offensive, it’s just us having fun) and it really stuck. People started calling me RJ without having any idea what it stood for, and when they found out they thought it was hilarious. Now, there are only about five people who still call me RJ ’cause I’m not a rookie anymore, but they’re still attached to it. Nowadays it’s Weiny (wine-eey) or more recently Weeny…oof.
4. What is something that’s made you feel supported as a Militia player?
I have some unbelievable friends who are just the biggest supporters of myself and of the team. The ones on your website with the sharks sign reading “Hey little fishies…I’m-a eatchu!!” – THAT’S THEM!!! And many more come to the games or are constantly calling and texting to wish me good luck. Some of them are even considering shelling out the big bucks to come travel with us if (and when) we make it to [the championship game in] Texas so they can be there to cheer us on!! And some of them traveled to DC with us earlier in the season and were the loudest fans in the stands! It’s an amazing feeling knowing I have people in my life who support me like that.
I also LOVE meeting all the kids at our games who are so excited to watch our games and meet us. At our most recent game, I had a 9-year old girl approach me asking me to autograph her program. Her parents told me that she found our team on the internet all by herself. Apparently her dad had told her she should go out for cheerleading, which she thought was a horrible idea, so she started searching for girl’s football teams in the area. She found us, asked her parents to take her to the game, and I’m pretty certain that in another nine years, she’ll be playing for the Boston Militia.
5. What is something you’d like see happen that would make you feel more supported?
I would have to agree with Alpo and say that seeing our scores in some of the papers the next morning would be amazing. If all the other professional sports teams are included in the sports section every day, why not add our team to that list? This is not to say that they haven’t done some nice pieces on us in the past, but something more consistent like a score or a game summary would be fantastic! I also think it’s awesome that the Pittsburgh Passion are able to air their games on TV, and it would be fantastic if we were able to do that. Lastly, the day we make ESPN’s Top 10…holy crap.
6. Justin Timberlake: yay or nay?
Well….I was a HUGE NSYNC fan, so JT will always be a yay in my books.
