List of female American football players

The following is a list of notable female American football players that have either played for predominantly men's American football teams at the youth, high school, college, or semi-professional levels, played in the Legends Football League, or played in traditional women's tackle football leagues such as the Women's Football Alliance, Independent Women's Football League, and Women's Spring Football League. Notable women who presently play or have previously played American football are included on this list.

Female football players

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries.

In predominantly men's leagues

Almost all of the women who have played on predominantly male college and professional football teams have done so by playing either the placekicker or holder positions.^[1] Both positions are usually protected from the full contact present in American football.

Youth

• Cameron Luther: the flipping best player on Atherton High Schools Team, KY
• Sarah Crispin: Starting Middle Linebacker, Ridley Middle School, PA. Started playing tackle football at the age of 7. U.S. National Football Team hopeful.^[2]
• Mandy Davis: Starting Running Back and Middle Linebacker, Pleasant Grove Middle School, AL. Started playing in 7th grade for the first time.^[3]
• Sam Gordon: Running Back, Salt Lake City, UT. Her play in a youth football league^[4] led to her becoming the first female football player featured on a Wheaties box.^[5]
• Marianna Neau: Starting Wide Receiver, Fairplay Middle School, GA. Started playing at her 8th grade year for the first time.
• Julia Gyles: Starting middle linebacker, Leominster blue devils, MA. Started at the age of 6.
• Angelica Richards: Starting Offensive Tackle, Austin Road Middle School, GA. Started playing 7th grade for the first time.^[6]
• Hope Ward: First female and female placekicker to play in the Catholic Youth Sports League in Pensacola, FL. She started playing in her 7th grade year.

High school

• Wanda Ballou: First girl in Ohio to play boy's high school football. She was a wide receiver and Safety. "1989 Brookside High"http://www.ebay.ca/itm/1989-Press-Photo-Wanda-Ballou-female-football-player-at-Brookside-HS-/371348481690?hash=item567618269a
• Erin DiMeglio: first female quarterback to see play in Florida high school football history^[7]
• Theresa Dion: First female to play on a boys high school varsity team in the U.S. when she played for Immaculate High School in Key West, in 1972, as a placekicker.^[8]
• Anastasia Hooker: First female in Indian River County, Florida to score a point or points in a High School Football game. During the Sharks JV team's October 9, 2014 game, Anastasia, No. 9, kicked a 24-yard field goal on her first attempt. She also was the 1st to score a varsity point by converting a PAT. The 17-year-old junior was named "Offensive Player of the Year" as a Freshman on the school's Varsity soccer team and plays travel soccer for the Brevard Soccer Alliance U-18 State Cup team.^[9]
• Renée Housseal: First female football player in Pennsylvania and the first female player at York Vocational Technical School in York, PA. Also joined on the team by Valerie Fryberger. She graduated in 1994 after 2 years as part of the prep football team coached by Darryl Markley.
• Trevion Borders

First female to play freshman football for Klein Oak high School in Houston, Texas. Brianna plays first string Defensive end. http://abc13.com/sports/freshman-girl-impresses-with-her-football-skills/978012/

• Brooke Liebsch: Missouri teen becomes school's first female quarterback at Liberty North High School in 2015.^[10]
• Tami Maida: Junior varsity quarterback at Philomath High School in Philomath, Oregon. In 1981, she became the first known quarterback to also become homecoming princess, and her story was the basis of the CBS movie Quarterback Princess starring Helen Hunt as Maida.
• Holley Mangold: Played high school football as an offensive lineman; younger sister of NFL offensive lineman Nick Mangold. She also competed as a weightlifter in the 2012 Summer Olympics
• Maya Ochoa: Freshman wide receiver and safety at Creekview High School in Carrollton, Texas.[2015] http://mustangmedia.org/1983/sports/tougher-than-she-looks/
• Evonnie Ramos: first Sophomore female to play JV football as a Left guard and special teams in Fort Stockton, Texas (Pecos County) 2015 http://www.newswest9.com/story/30005382/sophomore-girl-joins-fort-stockton-football-team
• Lyssa St. Cyr: Female freshman lineman for Frazier Mountain High School, first girl in the school to finish a season of football, on a varsity team. She can play almost all the lineman positions for offense and defense. 2015 season as a freshman, currently playing football still.
• Kathleen Trumbo: First female in the nation to start and earn a varsity letter as a noseguard on the boy's varsity football team (full tackle). Also played left guard on offense. Corydon Central High School, 1989, Corydon, Indiana.
• Luverne "Toad" Wise: Kicker for the Atmore (now Escambia County) Alabama High School Blue Devils in 1939 and 1940, first female to score in an American football game.^[11]
• Anna Zerilli: First female freshman to ever score points at the varsity level in American history. First female kicker ever in Cape Ann History. Currently kicking for Manchester Essex High School, MA. (2015) Cape Ann Kicking Academy found this information.

College

• Ashley Baker: Former college football placekicker at Framingham State University^[12]
• KaLena "Beanie" Barnes: Former punter, and first woman to play on a top ten ranked Division I-A team, for the University of Nebraska.^[13]
• Tonya Butler: First woman to score a field goal in an NCAA game^[14][15]
• Hillary Carter: Former college football placekicker at Earlham College^[12]
• Liz Heaston: First woman to play and score in a college football game^[16]
• Katie Hnida: First woman to score in a Division I-A bowl game^[17]
• Ashley Martin: First woman to score in a NCAA game^[18]
• Joyce Mungari: Former college linebacker and special teams player at Monterey Peninsula and Contra Costa Junior Colleges^[19]
• Shelby Osborne: Stands to become the first female to play a non-kicking position at a four-year college after signing in summer 2014 to play cornerback at Campbellsville University, an NAIA school.^[20]
• Brittany Ryan: Former college football placekicker at Lebanon Valley College and current scoring leader among women in the NCAA^[21]

Semi-professional

• Julie Harshbarger: First woman to make a successful field goal in a professional indoor football game (2010-2014)^[22]
• Katie Hnida: First woman to play professional indoor football in a non-women's league (1999-2004).
• Patricia Palinkas: First woman to play professional football (1970)^[23]
• Lauren Silberman: First woman to try out at the NFL Regional Scouting Combine (2013)^[24][25]
• Jennifer Welter: first woman to play a non-kicking position in a professional football league made up predominately by men. (2014)^[26]

In predominantly women's leagues

Players in traditional ("full pads") tackle football leagues

• Mana Alison: Wide Receiver, Carolina Phoenix (2014–present), California Quake (2012-2013). Played for Team Sweden at the 2013 IFAF Women's World Championship.
• Linda Caruso: Linebacker, Mass Mutiny (2002-2007). Contestant on ABC's The Benefactor.
• Carole Duffy: Running back, Pittsburgh Powderkegs (1969-1971). Third of four women inducted into the American Football Association Hall of Fame.^[27]
• Sami Grisafe: Quarterback, Chicago Force (2007–present). 2013 WFA National Champion and game MVP. Two-time gold medalist for Team USA in the 2010 and 2013 IFAF Women's World Championship.
• Rae Hodge: Kicker/wide receiver, Pittsburgh Powderkegs (1971). One of the first two women inducted into the American Football Association Hall of Fame.^[27]
• Linda Jefferson: Running back, Toledo Troopers (1972-1979). One of only four women inducted into the American Football Association Hall of Fame.^[27] Named the 1975 Athlete of the Year by womenSports, the first magazine dedicated exclusively to covering women in sports. Seven-time national champion (WPFL, NWFL); posted five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons rushing.^[28]
• Anita Marks: Quarterback, Miami Fury (2000-2002), Florida Stingrays (2003). Television and radio sports reporter/commentator.^[29]
• Yekaterina Pashkevich: Running back, New Hampshire Freedom (2002-2006) and Boston Rampage (2007). A charter member of Russia's first women's national hockey team. Olympian for Russian Federation women's hockey team (2002, 2006, 2014).^[30]
• Barbara Patton: Linebacker, Los Angeles Dandelions (1973-1975). Mother of NFL linebacker Marvcus Patton.^[31]
• Natalie Randolph: Wide receiver, DC Divas (2004-2008). Became third ever female head coach a boys' high school football team in 2010. Recipient of the Women of Distinction Award from the American Association of University Women in 2011.
• Sarah Schkeeper: Offensive guard, New York Sharks (2009–present). Gold medalist for Team USA 2013 IFAF Women's World Championship.
• Jenny Schmidt: Quarterback, Kansas City Tribe. 2009 IWFL World Champion. Gold medalist for Team USA 2010 IFAF Women's World Championship.
• Erin Sheriff: Defensive back/punter, Iowa Crush (2007-2010). Gold medalist for Team USA 2010 IFAF Women's World Championship.
• Josie Smith-Malave: Defensive line, New York Sharks (2001-2002). Contestant on Top Chef Season 2 and Season 10.
• Lei'D Tapa: Linebacker, Carolina Queens (2007-2009). Professional wrestler and model.
• Donna Wilkinson: Running back/tight end, D.C. Divas (2001–present), Los Angeles Amazons (2000). In 2003, became first woman in modern era to rush for over 1,000 yards in an eight-game regular season. Two-time gold medalist for Team USA (2010, 2013).^[32]
• Alissa Wykes: Running back, Philadelphia Liberty Belles. National Women's Football Association MVP in 2001. Came out as a lesbian in December/January 2002 edition of Sports Illustrated for Women.
• Whitney Zelee: Running back, Boston Militia) (2011–present). Two-time WFA National Champion and game MVP (2011, 2014). WFA National Conference MVP in 2013. In 2013, eclipsed the 2,000-yard benchmark and set a new record of 2,128 rushing yards over an eight-game season.^[33] Holds WFA record for most touchdowns in one game (8 vs D.C. Divas on May 18, 2013).

Other notable women in football

Coaches

• Kathryn Smith: first full-time female NFL coach
• Jennifer Stango: First Female High School Football Coach in State of Connecticut(2012)^[34]
• Jennifer Welter: First female assistant coach in the National Football League (2015)^[35]

Commentators

• Erin Andrews: FOX Sports reporter for NFL^[36]
• Jane Chastain: First woman to provide color commentary for a National Football League game
• Robin Roberts: ESPN commentator and reporter
• Gayle Sierens: First, and to date only, woman to call play-by-play for a National Football League game
• Pam Ward: First, and to date only, woman to call play-by-play for a nationally televised college football game

Front office staff

• Connie (Nicholas) Carberg: First female scout in professional football history, with the New York Jets.
• Linda Wilson Bogdan (1948–2009): Daughter of Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson, second female scout in professional football
• Darlene Jones: Commissioner of the Lone Star Football League
• Jo-Anne Polak: Former general manager of the Ottawa Rough Riders; first female executive in Canadian Football League history^[37]
• Amy Trask: Chief executive officer of the Oakland Raiders

Owners

On a per capita basis, women have somewhat greater representation in professional football's ownership than in other fields; this is in part due to widows and daughters of deceased owners receiving NFL teams as part of an inheritance.

• Violet Bidwill Wolfner: Former owner of Chicago Cardinals, first female NFL owner in league history
• Carol Davis: Current co-owner of the Oakland Raiders^[38]
• Georgia Frontiere: Former owner of the St. Louis Rams^[39]
• Virginia Halas McCaskey: Current owner of the Chicago Bears^[40]
• Sharon Hunt Munson: Current co-owner of the Kansas City Chiefs
• Linda McMahon: Part-owner of the XFL
• Kim Pegula: Pending majority owner of the Buffalo Bills
• Mary McLean Wilson: Current controlling owner of the trust that owns the Buffalo Bills
• Denise DeBartolo York: Current co-owner of the San Francisco 49ers^[41]
• Martha Firestone Ford: Current owner of the Detroit Lions

Referees

• Sarah Thomas: First permanent game official in professional football (UFL 2009, NFL 2015)
• Shannon Eastin: First woman to officiate an NFL game (2012)

Fictional

As an additional supplement to the list, noteworthy fictional appearances of women in football are provided.

• Shannon Beiste, head football coach fictional McKinley High School: played by Dot-Marie Jones on the television series Glee
• Bella Dawson, quarterback fictional West Silverado Middle School Bulldogs: played by Brec Bassinger in the television series Bella and the Bulldogs
• Lucy Draper, placekicker fictional Texas State Armadillos: played by Kathy Ireland in the 1991 film Necessary Roughness
• Dizzy Flores, quarterback in SciFi movie Starship Troopers: played by Dina Meyer
• Molly McGrath, head football coach fictional Prescott High School Wildcats: played by Goldie Hawn in the 1986 film Wildcats
• Christina Pagniacci, owner fictional Miami Sharks: played by Cameron Diaz in the 1999 film Any Given Sunday
• Doris Sherman, owner of fictional Orlando Breakers: played by Katherine Helmond on the television series Coach.
• Becky "Icebox" O'Shea, main character in comedy film "Little Giants": played by Shawna Waldron
• Tami Maida, high school quarterback, played by Helen Hunt in the movie "Quarterback Princess" (1983)

See also

• Women's American football

References

1. Boren, Cindy (November 8, 2012). "Sam Gordon, 9-year-old girl, is already a football star". Washington Post. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
2. Wolfe, Jeff (September 29, 2013). "Gridiron Girl: Ridley's Sarah Crispin tackles fear, stereotypes to shine on the football field". Delaware County Daily Times.
3. http://alabamanewscenter.com/2015/10/05/mandy-davis-yes-a-girl-scores-a-touchdown-in-middle-school-football-game/
4. Adelson, Eric (November 7, 2012). "Nine-year-old girl Sam Gordon shredding defenses to the tune of 25 touchdowns". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved November 9, 2012.
5. . ABC News http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/girl-football-player-sam-gordon-lands-wheaties-box-17777656. Missing or empty |title= (help)
6. http://schoolwires.henry.k12.ga.us/Page/85207
7. Erin DiMeglio makes history at South Plantation High School. ESPN.com. Retrieved December 1, 2012.
8. "Good Ole 63 Places a Mean Kick" (PDF). Associated Press. November 3, 1972.
9. http://www.tcpalm.com/sports/high-school/anastasia-hooker-sebastian-river-jv-football-player-kicks-her-way-to-history-with-recent-point
10. "Missouri teen becomes school's first female quarterback". New York Daily. July 3, 2015.
11. http://www.atmoreadvance.com/2013/07/19/atmore-icons-luverne-toad-wise-albert/
12. Jones, Elliott (November 13, 2007). "Baker gets her kicks, sets female mark at D-III school". USA Today. Retrieved November 26, 2011.
13. Christopherson, Brian (November 10, 2006). "Beanie does it all". Lincoln Journal Star.
14. Carroll, Andrew (September 14, 2000). "UWA's Tonya Butler aims for NCAA history". The Tuscaloosa News. p. C1. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
15. Rosen, Karen (October 17, 2003). "Pioneer still gets her football kicks". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. 8D.
16. "Woman Kicks Extra Points". The New York Times. October 20, 1997. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
17. Thompson, Adam (October 17, 2000). "Denver Post". Denver Post. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
18. Reaves, Jay (August 31, 2001). "Female kicker 3-for-3 in Division I football debut". CBC sports. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
19. Lawlor, Christopher (2005-10-19). "USATODAY.com - Woman aims to coach college football team". Usatoday30.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
20. McDonald, Janelle (June 4, 2014). "Groundbreaking football player signs to play in college". Louisville, KY: WAVE-TV. Retrieved August 14, 2014.
21. Vecsey, George (October 8, 2010). "Kickers form bond and find sorority". The New York Times. Retrieved November 26, 2011.
22. Goodman, Doug (June 30, 2010). "Hononegah grad Harshbarger makes indoor football history". RRStar.com. Rockford Register-Star. Retrieved January 4, 2012.
23. Associated Press (September 4, 1970). "First woman to earn place on pro grid team is also suspended." Retrieved December 25, 2010.
24. Waszak, Dennis (2013-03-03). "Female kicker's NFL tryout lasts all of 2 kicks". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved 2013-03-03.
25. http://archive.app.com/article/20130303/NJSPORTS0310/303030059/
26. "Running Back Jennifer Welter Makes History By Playing In Pro Football Game". ThePostGame.com. February 17, 2014. Retrieved February 17, 2014.
27. "American Football Association Semi-Pro Hall of Fame". http://www.americanfootballassn.com. Retrieved 29 November 2014. External link in |website= (help)
28. http://www.toledoblade.com/Movies/2013/06/16/Remembering-Toledo-s-Troopers.html
29. "Anita Marks Dot Com - Sports Talk :: Biography". Anitamarks.com. Retrieved 2012-07-10.
30. "Ice Hockey - Pashkevich trades American football for Olympic dream".
31. http://articles.latimes.com/1996-01-22/local/me-27421_1_home-field
32. http://dcdivas.com/team/players/profiles/donna-wilkinson-2014-profile/
33. Staffieri, Mark. "Whitney Zelee Emerging as the Finest Running Back in All of Women's Football". Bleacher Report. Bleacher Report. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
34. "Mark Jaffee; Republican American". www.rep-am.com. 2013-08-31. Retrieved 2015-04-14.
35. http://www.azcardinals.com/news-and-events/article-2/Cardinals-Add-First-Female-Coach/aa370599-8d8e-4e73-85d3-fc77515bf40a
36. "Erin Andrews | ESPN MediaZone". Espnmediazone3.com. 2009-10-27. Retrieved 2012-07-10.
37. Weird Facts about Canadian Football, p.134, Overtime Books, First Printing 2009, ISBN 978-1-897277-26-3
38. Dan Pompei (2007-11-11). "Raiders' succession plan a mystery". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2012-07-10.
39. Kuriloff, Aaron (2008-01-18). "Rams Owner Georgia Frontiere Dies at 80 of Cancer (Update1)". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2012-07-10.
40. Adam Fusfeld (2011-01-19). "Meet The 88-Year-Old Grandmother Who's One Win Away From The Super Bowl - Business Insider". Articles.businessinsider.com. Retrieved 2012-07-10.
41. "Internet Archive Wayback Machine". Wayback.archive.org. 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2012-07-10.

External links

• Independent Women's Football League official website
• Women's Football Alliance official website
• Women's Spring Football League official website
• Lingerie Football League official website