A League Of Their Own

By: Michelle Miller
Topics: Field Notes

(CBS)

Michelle Miller is a CBS News correspondent based in New York.

I've always loved football. The tomboy in me had a talent for passing, kicking, and catching. I thought I had what it took.

But Pop Warner (the youth football association), let alone pro-football for women, wasn't a reality back then. We've come a long way. Women's professional football is now alive and well. Two major leagues boast 3,000 women in 67 cities nationwide. Eighty teams vie for the all-time prize, Superbowl of Championships.

Enter Chicago's Force, the Independent Women's Football League's one undefeated team, vying for ultimate bragging rights. They pound, they pummel. They play hard.

Their coach, Jim Stahl, who has coached college ball, says they're stronger than the guys. I believe him. Take one look at their moves on the field, and they're fearless. They've suffered sprains, tears, concussions – and many keep on playing.

That's what Quarterback Sami Grisafe did when her finger got snarled in an opponent's face mask. She said: "Whatever it takes to win."

She's not alone. At 46, team owner Linda Bache is the oldest player on the team and loves every minute of it. "I never had an opportunity to play on any level," she says.

This is her chance. And I took mine. That tomboy suited up in pads and cleats and took to the playing field. I told them not to go easy on me, but if they hadn't, I'm not sure I'd be blogging right now.

I can still pass, and kick, and throw. But I can't take a hit. And within five minutes, I was completely out of breath. You've got to respect these women. They play with passion and brute force, just like the guys.

If anyone believes a woman's place isn't on the gridiron, I dare them to tell these ladies face to face.

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by littleschol July 11, 2008 1:42 PM EDT: Michelle- Thanks for your coverage of this story! Just an "FYI" for you, Pop Warner is open to both sexes and has been for the 17 years I''ve been working here. About 1% of our tackle football players are female, and about 1% of our cheerleaders are male. Later this summer, look for the movie, "The Longshots" about Jasmine Plummer, who was the first African-American, female quarterback to play in our Pop Warner Super Bowl.
Jon Butler, Executive Director
Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc.; Reply to this comment


by jodiperna July 11, 2008 11:47 AM EDT: Michelle,

Thanks for covering this story. However, there are four undefeated teams in the IWFL - the Pittsburgh Passion (who play Chicago this Saturday), as well as the Seattle Majestics and the Dallas Diamonds, who face off against each other in the western conference.

There are two leagues - the IWFL with 41 teams and the NWFA with 35. Each league has a separate championship; there is no inter-league play. So it''s a bit misleading to assert that all 70-some teams vie for one title.; Reply to this comment


by brityvette July 11, 2008 2:07 AM EDT: Thank you for recognizing these amazing athletes. It''s fun to attend a game and watch the kids cheering their mom on. It''s wonderful to watch my daughter fulfill her dream, as I wince with every hit! Rather her than me, but she and all of these great women, love it. GO FORCE!; Reply to this comment