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Women Can Tackle Too -- Detroit Pride Women's Football Team Kicks Off April, 25

By: Brandon Patton

Why can't women officially play tackle football? You know what, as of now, they can!

The Detroit Pride women's tackle football league will be having its first game, Saturday, April 25th at 8:00pm at King High School Field in Detroit. Their opponent will be the Toledo Reign and all football fans, friends and families are encouraged to attend the exciting event. Pride founders Warren Griffin Jr. and Rhonda Alford have worked extremely hard to bring this fun new women's event to the area and they encourage everyone to attend.

Who Are The Detroit Pride?

The Detroit Pride is part of the Independent Women's Football League (IWFL), competing in the Midwest division. Speaking with Rhonda Alford, she stated that the "Detroit Pride is an organization full of women of all professions and backgrounds. IWFL is one of the old women leagues and they are the most Parallel to the NFL." Rhonda went on to say that creating the Detroit Pride was all about timing and all together the process took about a year to come together.

Growing up, I had girls frequently ask why they couldn't play football, or at least try out, and I never really had an answer. I remember seeing highlights of a 9 year old girl on television named Samantha Gordon a few years back. She was faster than all of the boys her age and even has highlights on YouTube with over 3 million views. According to Ron Dicker from the Huffington Post, Sam took a year off from football to focus on soccer. When she returned, her father was asked if she was worried about getting hurt. His response, "Sam always says, 'If they can't catch me, they can't hurt me!'"

There Is No Difference

I asked Rhonda Alford what was the one thing she would like people to take away from the first game this Saturday. Her response, "That it's no difference in men and women playing ball. I want our fans to witness history and see an amazing and entertaining game parallel to the NFL!"

That goes along with the vision for the IWFL football league according to their official website, which says the goal is to "create and promote a full tackle women's football league focused on creating a positive, safe and fun environment for the women who play football and a fun experience for the families coming out to watch them."

This seems like a very entertaining event, and something that can create interest for sports fans of all ages. Hopefully, girls growing up won't have to ask why they can't play football. This can be an avenue for them to play the sport they love as well.

Detroit Pride practice
2015 Detroit Pride women's tackle football practice session (Photo credit: Rhonda Alford)

Detroit Pride – Women's Tackle Football – Opening Day
April 25, 2014 – Kick Off 8:00 PM
King High School Field
3200 Lafayette St.
Detroit, MI 48207
Ticket price: $10.00 Adults; $7.00 high school & College students with school ID;
$7.00 Kids 5-13

I am a CBS 62/CW 50 Community Affairs Intern. I am a huge sports fan and of course you have to love your hometown teams! I currently attend Eastern Michigan University, I love dogs and my family!

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