Lingerie Football vs. Women’s Tackle Football
Since I was a little girl I loved football. My brother would take me out and we would throw the football around. At the time, the Los Angeles Rams were in existence and our family loved watching their games. Football is the all-American sport, which brings us the highly anticipated Rose Bowl and Super Bowl every year. This sport requires amazing talent, tough athleticism and technical mental strategies that boggle the mind. The reason I know this is because I play on a women’s tackle football league.
The day I found out tackle football existed for women, I immediately showed up to try out. The league is called the Independent Women’s Football League (IWFL) with teams on the West and East Coasts. This is my second year, and let me tell you, it’s no joke. The team commits to grueling workouts, plenty of personal time out of our week and financial obligations out of our own pockets. This sport never looked the same once I put on the shoulder pads, helmet and began hitting. I recently came across a new twist: lingerie football.
Apparently, this new lingerie football is taking off and even getting TV coverage. I have mixed feelings about this popular lingerie football that showcases half naked women playing a sport that I have recently gained so much respect for. I know how hard the women in the Independent Women’s Football League (IWFL) work to barely get recognition, how should I feel about women who bare their bodies for tons of recognition, including TV coverage? Is it really football? I also have to add that women in the IWFL do not get paid to play football, but the lingerie girls sure do. I believe it is a sport of entertainment, especially when the uniform includes tiny pads with no protection, underwear for pants, and a garter for decoration. I know this may sound harsh and unfair towards these girls embarking on some new adventure. I’m coming from experience in seeing my own teammates scrounge for money to play, take time away from their own families, play while injured, and have such a love for this highly respected sport. The women I play with play for the love of the game and not for attention.
So, please help me not to be judgmental and give me some feedback. If you know anything about women and the history of sports, you know it is a constant fight for equality. Where does this new twist on football leave us women who do it for free and, if anything, have to pay out-of-pocket costs? Lingerie football players get paid to make a mockery of a game we respect. Your thoughts PLEASE!
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I too struggle with the same things. I have played for a couple seasons and have struggled to come up with money to play. I heard about the lingerie football league and while I don’t like the representation of women having to be half naked playing football to sell tickets and make money, I understand it.