Day: February 17, 2014

Impossible Meets Possible: Women’s Semi-Pro Tackle Football

Posted By under Sports

When it comes to women playing sports, the most popular activities that come to mind are basketball, softball, volleyball, field hockey, etc. – the list goes on.

Men? The answers are usually more condensed into a smaller list compared to females.  Football ranks as one of the most popular sports in the entire country; it’s a male dominated sport known to be rugged, require tenacity and a sport that is physically demanding.

Many high schools offer females a chance to play what many call a “male sport” by participating in an all-girls football game known as “Powder Puff.” For most girls, this is the rare opportunity to play  in an organized football game. For others, it can mark the beginning stages of building a female athlete into a semi-professional football player.

That’s right. Women’s tackle football is on the rise and here to stay. When people think of women’s tackle football, some automatically think of the lingerie league. However, the lingerie league is based more on sex appeal rather than football skills.

The Independent Women’s Football League, or the IWFL, is a women’s semi-professional tackle football league in which women wear heavy duty football equipment from head-to-toe, just as men wear.   In fact, there are more 30 IWFL teams across the country including the Philadelphia Firebirds, a team based in this area.

Tawana Grayson, the current owner and former player of the Firebirds, shed some insight on the opportunity women have to play football.

“That first time you go out on the field, and in my case it was make a tackle, you know you had just done something you dreamed all your life of doing,” Grayson said.  “That first time you go out and actually play the game– that experience is like ‘wow.’”

A woman who has bled football since childhood, Grayson has invested many years of her life into playing and managing women’s football (five years as a player and an owner for nine years), so she is familiar with what it takes for female athletes to succeed as football players.

“It requires dedication, commitment and determination,” she said. “You have to want to do it, and to be ready to put the work in.”

In comparing the physical aspect of the game to the mental aspect, Grayson feels both can be equally challenging at times, although she admits the mental portion of football can prove to be more difficult at times for women football players to handle. Considering there are not separate leagues for girls and boys growing up, Grayson explains that learning the game and techniques in football give women a disadvantage.

However, Grayson is convinced that a late start does not exactly hinder a female’s ability to grasp football concepts.  She says having a passion and a mentality to want to get better, any female athlete can become a solid football player.

“For the most part women start (playing) in our league,” she said. “Women traditionally have not have had the opportunities men have had to play the game, so women read more into the coaching than men do… going into a game for the first time, all of that has to be taught. Their preparation to get ready for the season is different (than men) because they’re doing something they’re not used to, so women actually have to prepare harder in the beginning.”

Grayson is optimistic there will one day be a nationalized women’s tackle football league. Despite the fact that hasn’t happened yet, Grayson still feels women football players can have an impact on young male and female athletes.

“ It’s breaking down the barriers that football is just a man’s game,” said Grayson. “For male athletes, it’s one of those things where they think ‘women can do it too,’” she continued. “I always told people that question whether our game is real to come to a game, and if they’re not satisfied to let me know.”

The answer: she hasn’t heard any complaints yet.

Grayson prides herself on women being able to showcase quality football, especially when her Firebirds team is able perform at a high level. With 12 combined years being a part of the Firebirds organization, including two years where she was both a player and owner, Grayson believes it is the relationships players build on the team that makes it worthwhile.

“It’s a family,” she said. “You make great friendships out of this. We argue like a family, but we play like a family too.”

Grayson encourages women athletes who want to try it to explore available opportunities.  As an established Firebird, Grayson’s message to women is simple:

“If you have a passion for the game and always wanted to play, there is no other place than to come out and be a Firebird.”

For more information on the team: www.philadelphiafirebirds.com

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Lion’s Eye Staff Writer

Amanda Congialdi, amc6079@psu.dedu

 

Restaurant Review: Cantina Dos Segundos

Posted By under Entertainment

Located in the Northern Liberties section in Philadelphia, Cantina Dos Segundos has a lot to offer. If you’re into Mexican food that still stays true to its roots, but likes an American twist on what you’re eating, I highly recommend this establishment.

I have been to this restaurant three times and have nothing bad to say about anything. When you walk in, the staff politely greets you. When they take to you a table, you notice all the Mexican décor, from the lights, the candles and the colors. It’s very dark except for the candles on the table and the lights strung on the walls.   The hostess seats you and then you are greeted with chips and two bowls of salsa, instead of bread and butter. The two bowls of salsa are regular salsa and a salsa verde. Next, the server comes and takes your drink order. They have a wide range of alcoholic beverage from Mexican beers, to a huge list of different kinds of tequila, to margaritas, to mojitos. I recommend the cantina margarita and the mango margarita.

The menu may be limited but there are endless options. They always have daily specials as well, putting the modern twist on your average taco in a tortilla. For example, when I was there recently, they had a fried chicken taco. It was to die for. They also had short rib tacos and tilapia tacos. The delicious and flavorful menu offers a lot of vegetarian and vegan options so everyone and anyone can be satisfied.

I ran into Temple University student Nick Crawford and I asked him how he liked it.

“I like how relaxed and casual it is,” Crawford said.  “From the location, to the décor and the ambience, I like how they offer authentic Mexican food and they spin a modern-American twist on the specials. They also have amazing margaritas!”

Take it from him…or me, if you’re into Mexican food and margaritas in the wintertime, I highly recommend you check Cantina Dos Segundos out.

There is also so much to do in the Northern Liberties with the Piazza right there.

 

Eye Staff Writer

Chelsea Ebling-Lion’s, cme5177@psu.edu

Lone Survivor Movie Review

Posted By under Entertainment

This present day military story takes viewers into the world that most Americans may not see every day.

Based on a true story, on the night of June 27, 2005, an MH-47 Special Operations aircraft dropped a four-man Navy SEAL investigation and surveillance team between a pair of Afghani Mountain peaks of Kunar Province of Afghanistan. This brave, courageous mission was labeled Operation Red Wing.

This is a movie that challenges the viewer to think about the virtues of service to country, self-sacrificial brotherhood, bravery and honor. It glorifies the true ability of some extraordinary men to drive themselves to near-impossible levels of mental and physical toughness.

Team Spartan was made up of Corpsman 1st Class Marcus Luttrell, team leader Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy, Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Danny P. Dietz and Sonar Technician 2nd Class Matthew G. Axelson.  These men were all seasoned professionals prepared and ready to do their job and hike the steep, rugged mile and a half which was necessary to reach their destination.

When reaching the particular area of interest, the SEALs followed the protocol, set up mountainside and got into their watch positions.  Soon they had spotted their target, Taliban terrorist leader Ahmed Shahd, who was walking down the dirt streets of a village in their site. There was a major communication problem.  After repeated attempts they could not establish clear radio signal with the United States home base. It was then decided that they should try to get connection after a few hours, as per protocol.

This is when everything fell apart.  Accidentally, Team Spartan was revealed by three local goatherds or a person who herds goats for vocational reasons.  The SEALs immediately had their guard up and were ready to fire.  After determining that the men were civilians, they were faced with an obvious dilemma.  Now that their cover had been blown, what should they do in this situation? If they decide to let all of these men go, there was a good chance that they would run to the Taliban army and inform them that they were there.  This then would leave the SEALs fully exposed and without back-up and no contact with the home base. On the other hand, they knew it would be all over the news if they killed these truly innocent unarmed goatherds, which could be morally wrong and even declared as a war crime.

After going back and forth, leader Lt. Murphy made a decision and ordered the men released, following the code of the rules of civilian engagement. From there, the Navy SEALs began moving to a point where they may regain radio connection.

Two hours later, the Taliban ambush arrived in full force from three sides.  The story goes on to recount the real-life failed U.S. military operation, which has been called the worst tragedy in the history of the Navy SEALs and ultimately claimed the lives of 19 Americans.  The movie will give viewers chills and open one’s eyes to the sacrifices of these Americans.

“The movie made me feel proud of our military,” Granit Valley resident Mary Houtmann said.

“Those women and men who put their lives on the line for us have my utmost respect and I couldn’t be more thankful.  Those four men never gave up, it wasn’t an option.”

Director Peter Berg takes this tragic scenario straight from the “Lone Survivor,” Marcus Luttrell’s memoirs, and creates a realistic depiction of this situation.  It is so gruesome, life-like and disturbingly brutal, it make you think, is this real life? Does this really happen?

As “We can be Heroes, just for one day,” by David Bowie plays in the last scene, not only does this extremely graphic movie leave viewers in awe but it also shows the courageousness of how these men put themselves in harm’s way to fight for freedom and justice.

Survivor Marcus Luttrell set up a non-profit to help veterans who are suffering from Post-Traumatic Syndrome Disorder and Traumatic Brain injuries.  For more information go to:  www.lonesurvivorfoundation.org

Lion’s Eye Editor

Victoria Marotta, VIM5121@psu.edu