Pat Palinkas (1970)
"It was physically and mentally tough to break out into a sport dominated by men, but it was also very rewarding."
~Pat Palinkas
In 2000-2001, the Women's Professional Football League (WPFL) began its debut season. Although, the ball used is slightly smaller than the one used by the men in the NFL, the rules are the same. Eleven regular season teams and two exhibition teams were included in the league's first year of play. Even though it has taken society over 80 years to give women the same opportunity as men to play professional "pig-skin", the WPFL is a good start for making up lost ground. In 1970, Pat Palinkas was the first woman to play in a professional football game. She held the ball for the place kickers on the Orlando Panthers team.
What is your opinion on women competing with men in professional sports?
Christine Lewicki: I think that there really isn't a need to have them together on the same level. It can be just as fun and effective to keep them separated.
Kara Cady-Sawyer: The more opportunities women have in general is awesome, so I support it 100%. More power to us!
Justin Gray: I think that women should have the opportunity to play any sports that they would like. However, I think there is a big difference between men and women and that playing with men would not necessarily allow a woman to display her talent.
Matt Mahar: Women participating with men in professional sports is definitely a positive change in the sports world, as long as they are not given any kind of special treatment because they are women. The playing field must be as equal as possible for both men and women.
Rich Barie: It is good in some sports but in others, when it is more physical, they may not be able to keep up simply because men are naturally bigger and stronger.
Would you have a problem competing physically against a woman (ex: football)?
Justin: Only if she was stronger than me.
Matt: I feel as though I would not be as aggressive in competing against a female athlete, simply because of the fear of hurting her.
Rich: Not at all, just as long as there are no exceptions by either the woman on the team or the men.