By: MICHAEL VOLPE
Looking to shake up society’s stereotype of “only men play football,” Madeline Northern, a female freshman Quarterback from Badger High School in Wisconsin, just suited up as the only girl in a 200 player, top prospect USA football camp. When one thinks of modern day football, factors such as back-breaking hits, deep field throws, and an overall injury prone-environment has led to a societal norm that typically does not include women.
Fresh healed from a career threatening elbow dislocation just prior to her freshman season as a high school quarterback, Northern is not the slightest bit intimidated by being the only female competitor among 199 boys, for the game has brought her life-lessons and a demeanor accepting of challenge and teamwork.
“When I walk on the field and they see my hair, they just look at me and don’t say anything. Once they are out on the field with me, sometimes they whistle or talk trash. I just have to block that out and keep playing. I have to show them what I can do,” explained Northern to USAFootball.com.
While America is working towards becoming a more diverse and tolerant country, there are many people who are naturally skeptical of Madeline Northern and other female football players. When interviewing students at Ramapo College, 3 out of 4 students responded that they would not let their daughters near a football field, and 4 out of 4 students said that a woman will most likely never play in the NFL. Keeping in mind that women in football is a relatively new topic, it was made clear that the idea truly was foreign to students, especially male students that considered themselves football fans.
A relatively new movement, the effort to include women in more typically male sports throughout both the developmental and professional stages of their athletic career has captivated sports fans, leaving them wanting to see what a girl can do when up against boys.
“I’d be rooting for the girl to win,” explained Ramapo Senior, Jon Didulce. “You never really see bravery like that in football anymore so, yeah, I’d love to see more women compete in football.”
While Northern is considered a pioneer for her resilience and competitive nature, she is just one of the many girls in the movement trying to prove they deserve a spot on the field. Brooke Liebsch, a teenager from Kansas City, became her high school’s first female quarterback in its history last year, explaining that she could do anything boys do.
The road to success for Northern and other female football players will be a tough one, but it is without a doubt that the climate for female football players is changing, and a window is opening for a discussion on inclusion and respect for all genders competing in an amateur or professional sporting event.
“Even if the people don’t really want you playing, you have to show them you can do it,” said Northen to USAFootball.com
SOURCES: http://usafootball.com/blogs/americas-game/post/12137/female-quarterback-madeleine-northern-out-to-prove-she-belongs
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3152816/I-guys-Missouri-teen-makes-history-female-quarterback-high-school.html
Interesting story that I never knew of. This makes me want to go research some of her stats in high school. The quotes used for this story are very good and strong in this article.