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Could the NFL Have Its First Female Player?

Mar. 3, 2013 9:19pm

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP/TheBlaze) — Lauren Silberman’s NFL tryout lasted all of two kicks, neither of which traveled 20 yards.

Silberman became the first woman to compete at an NFL regional scouting combine on Sunday, but left the New York Jets’ practice field after re-injuring her quadriceps. She tried two kickoffs, the first going 19 yards and the second about 13 yards, and then asked to see a trainer.

Lauren Silberman, First Woman to Try Out for NFL, Flunks Her Tryout

Lauren Silberman (Photo Credit: AP)

As more than two dozen media, including E! Entertainment network, watched her every move, the 28-year-old Silberman was examined off to the side of the practice field. About 30 minutes later, while 36 other kickers continued their workouts, she called the scene “surreal” and thanked the NFL for “this tremendous opportunity.”

A former club soccer player at Wisconsin, Silberman took no warmup kicks until she attempted her first kickoff and even appeared to have some trouble keeping the football on the kicking tee.

“I’ve always been an athlete, and I’ve always been a gamer,” she said while fighting back tears. “When I had the opportunity to be in the NFL, one of the world’s most competitive leagues, I absolutely had to take the chance.”

Silberman said she suffered a quadriceps injury while preparing for the tryout earlier in the week, and attributed her struggles to that.

“I tried staying off it and waited for today,” she said. “I didn’t even take kicks in warmups, and, it’s pretty hard to know that you’ll be in pain and I wanted to work through it and I certainly tried to, but I just couldn’t do it today.”

Silberman, who spoke to the media for 3 minutes after the tryout, insisted she can “do more” and “it’s too bad that this happened.” She also said she “did the right thing” and anticipates trying to kick again in the future.

Silberman appeared to be favoring her right leg when she left the complex soon after that.

“I would certainly be very, very excited and happy if I had the opportunity to try again,” she said, “but it’s not up to me. It’s up to the scouts.”

The regional combines debuted in 2011, and include players who weren’t among the 333 invited to the main combine in Indianapolis. The NFL is holding these sessions in 10 cities this offseason, with the most impressive players advancing to a super-regional in April in Dallas.

Media sources had reported excitedly on Silberman’s being considered. Consider this report from ABC News:

There is presently no prospect of future tryouts by women, though the precedent will no doubt allow others to attempt what Silberman apparently failed to do.

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Comments (69)

1 2
  • nolies74621
    Posted on March 4, 2013 at 4:41am

    The Progressive’s attempt at diversifying the NFL fails, miserably. And I laughed and I laughed

    Report this comment

    nolies74621  
    • BehindBlueEyes
      Posted on March 4, 2013 at 6:14am

      @NOLIES
      Progressives are good at destroying things. They have the Sadim touch.

      Report this comment

      BehindBlueEyes  
    • Eastinfection
      Posted on March 4, 2013 at 7:12am

      This story makes no sense..
      Everyone knows that Jeff Garcia was the first female NFL player!

      Report this comment

      Eastinfection  
    • JRook
      Posted on March 4, 2013 at 1:43pm

      @nolies74621 Just because your savior GB blames everything negative on progressives doesn’t mean you shouldn’t actually think for yourself. This was obviously a cheap marketing attempt by the NFL to attract more female viewers. A useful part of the story would have been to ask how she even qualified for a tryout.

      Report this comment

      JRook  
    • redfish52
      Posted on March 5, 2013 at 9:43am

      Man…glad she made a complete fool of herself….she was quoted saying…well I hope the scout’s at least say that I had good form….hee…hee. Also if by some miracle happened and she was able to kick the ball like a man we would have had to look at that mug all season….girl would have to sneak up on a glass of water…

      Report this comment

      redfish52  
  • media-bias-steals-elections
    Posted on March 4, 2013 at 3:54am

    The sign outside the polar bear cage at the zoo says “Warning, bear will maul you to death”?

    What does a female look like to a polar bear?

    1. Ewww, what’s that smell?

    2. Is it bacon?

    3. Should I run, or hide, or is it lunch time?

    You can cuss and fuss,
    you can pout and plead,
    but you can’t stop reading blogs like these?

    Report this comment

    media-bias-steals-elections  
  • Lando
    Posted on March 4, 2013 at 1:24am

    aaaaaaaaaaa hahahhaahahhaahahaahahahahaahhaha

    Report this comment

    Lando  
  • DLV
    Posted on March 4, 2013 at 12:34am

    Nooooooooooooooooooooooo! Leave the NFL alone you progressives!

    Report this comment

    DLV  
  • KevINtampa
    Posted on March 4, 2013 at 12:13am

    Laces out!

    Report this comment

    KevINtampa  
  • lwnmwrmn
    Posted on March 3, 2013 at 11:59pm

    College club player??? That means, “I sucked and could not make the real team”. Now she is 28 and played lots of virtual football and learned how to kick FGs. She barely made an XP when she was “healthy”. She looks like she is tripping over the ball. This was an obvious stunt for media attention.

    Report this comment

    lwnmwrmn  
    • Eastinfection
      Posted on March 4, 2013 at 7:04am

      One of her other qualifications was playing the video-game version… lol!

      Hey- i’m pretty good at Grand Theft Auto.. but that doesn’t mean i’m qualified to steal cars, fight gangs, and beat up prostitutes.

      Report this comment

      Eastinfection  
    • Zipit
      Posted on March 4, 2013 at 9:01am

      EAST! We can hire you on a trial basis!

      Report this comment

      Zipit  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on March 3, 2013 at 11:53pm

    I’m not fond of watching sports. That said, some will understand my words and some will not.

    Should a man compete in a Woman’s swim team? How about tennis? Ping pong? Track and Field?

    How about chess? Maybe…. it’s an intellectual game. But, a psychical game? No. If this proceeds to the next level I hope she gets her teeth knocked out and ends up in a hospital. She can call 911 from the ObamaScare redistribution of sports welfare department and get the best treatment socialism can pay for. Which means no teeth at all. After all, who really cares? She went into this knowing the odds. Let Fabian Socialist decide her fate. Right? What would George Bernard Shaw say?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93eir00rOho

    Got it you Fascist wankers?

    Report this comment

    The-Monk  
    • MDECKER
      Posted on March 4, 2013 at 12:06am

      I think it’s cute the young lady wants to play in the NFL. Any “Real” athlete understands that this is all garbage.

      Report this comment

      MDECKER  
    • burnteye86
      Posted on March 4, 2013 at 4:08am

      when a 230 lb linebacker sacks her azz and breaks a few ribs then nobody better say one dam word about it.

      Report this comment

      burnteye86  
    • termyt
      Posted on March 4, 2013 at 8:58am

      All well and good, but you are missing something. The NFL is not a men’s league. Neither is the PGA or any other top pro league. It’s about organizing a team that gives you the best potential for victory. Men fit the physical requirements much, much better than women, is all.

      Should such a woman present herself, who needs no special favors to compete, then she ought to. That, my friends, is liberty.

      Now, the LPGA is gender-based. Because women have difficulty competing with men, they have their own league. Men are not allowed because there is a market to watch the women play and no one really wants a minor-league of golf filled with men not good enough to play in the PGA but still better than most women.

      So marketing is also involved. A team may want to field a women just for the media attention and crowd draw. If they do so to their considerable competitive disadvantage, then shame on them, I guess, but it’s still their choice.

      At any rate, the kicker doing a kick-off is really not a contact position. They are not even required to pursue the returner because they are far more valuable for their leg than their tackling. Anyone who can kick the ball 50 yards and have it land where they want it to is qualified for the position regardless of gender.

      Report this comment

      termyt  
  • Rock_Moninoff
    Posted on March 3, 2013 at 11:50pm

    Lauren Silberman trying out for the NFL is like Hitlery Clintoon trying to join the Marines. (as she boasted)
    BTW Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra, Crybaby Owens filed for bankruptcy last year. That should make you happy.

    Report this comment

    Rock_Moninoff  
  • whatthecrazy
    Posted on March 3, 2013 at 11:12pm

    When the ladies join these teams i will no longer watch football. There is something inherently wrong with her to want to play with these huge men.Thats a mans world out on that field and she does not belong there.Seems nothing is out of bounds with these people.

    Report this comment

    whatthecrazy  
    • raydg
      Posted on March 4, 2013 at 12:54am

      The day I saw a woman place kicker with New Mexico is the day I quit watching College Football. This is wrong, a man has a different physique then a woman. I am tired of this culture pushing this lie that men and women are all just the same.

      Report this comment

      raydg  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on March 4, 2013 at 7:27am

      How many If guys that can’t make a living on the PGA Tour could rule the LPGA Tour? How many men that can’t make it in the NBA could rule the WNBA? If they truly open it up, it would be the end of women’s professional sports.

      Report this comment

      Gonzo  
    • Eastinfection
      Posted on March 4, 2013 at 7:48am

      i dunno Gonzo…

      i look at all the women’s leagues as minor leagues.
      few of them can sustain themselves financially.
      LeBron would tear up the WNBA.. but he would also tear up high school hoops right now, too.

      if someone is good enough to play with the best.. more power to them.

      on another note- why is there no coverage of the first male Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader?

      http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41OORj66DVL.jpg

      Report this comment

      Eastinfection  
    • naughtycal
      Posted on March 4, 2013 at 11:53am

      ray,
      men shoulde start applying to qualify for womens events. track and feild,tennis,womens boxing,basketball…ect.
      THAT SHOUL;D DRIVE THE MESSAGE HOME

      Report this comment

      naughtycal  
    • Eastinfection
      Posted on March 4, 2013 at 12:56pm

      NAUGHTY….

      what message are you trying to drive home?
      …that men are better than women at sports?

      i think everybody already agrees on that.

      If some chick, with a defense bearing down on her, was able to kick a 70 yd field goal… i’d welcome her on my favorite team any day. wouldn’t you?

      this chick was obviously not qualified but, if such a woman exists…. i’d beg her to join the Panthers.

      Report this comment

      Eastinfection  
    • naughtycal
      Posted on March 4, 2013 at 2:21pm

      EI,
      Not just sports but every activity in phyiscal strength involved. Don’t cut if off there all areas of employment that demand physical strength as well as endurance and a thick hide.
      Then theres the emotional issue which disable women as well. In most financial industries a thick emotional hide is a must as well. Something 99.9% of women don’t have.

      Report this comment

      naughtycal  
    • Eastinfection
      Posted on March 4, 2013 at 5:04pm

      NAUGHTY…

      “…a thick emotional hide is a must as well. Something 99.9% of women don’t have.”

      lol… dude
      you have definitely been dating a class of chicks i have not been exposed to.
      most of the gals i know have been taught to bury all emotions until someone (me) forgets to take out the garbage.

      Report this comment

      Eastinfection  
  • joeschmo
    Posted on March 3, 2013 at 11:12pm

    So we have to lower the standards so women can become Green Berets and Navy SEALs. That is a game of life and death. Yet there is not a single professional football or baseball player with the boys.

    Report this comment

    joeschmo  
    • JediKnight
      Posted on March 3, 2013 at 11:29pm

      Actually, I happen to know someone that was Marine special forces. Special forces have not lowered their standards. If the women can’t do it, they aren’t allowed. The main branches have created lowered standards, but special forces have not followed suit (not yet anyway).

      Report this comment

      JediKnight  
  • Maxim Crux
    Posted on March 3, 2013 at 10:55pm

    She is such a Pussee

    Report this comment

    Maxim Crux  
  • Zipit
    Posted on March 3, 2013 at 10:47pm

    “How about No, ya crazy Dutch bastard!” http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=y0QbXfvbjFk&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dy0QbXfvbjFk

    Report this comment

    Zipit  
  • Witness1974
    Posted on March 3, 2013 at 10:39pm

    She booted her chance.

    Report this comment

    Witness1974  
  • Patriot72
    Posted on March 3, 2013 at 10:35pm

    IF she can do the job like any other player who plays that position can do, good on her. But if the NFL changes any aspect of the game to accommodate her entrance into the league, should she make the cut, the entire prospect is a farce and the league will suffer for it. She needs to be able to perform at the professional level the league demands, including being able to take a hit from a fast-moving mountain of a man trying to block the kick or tackle her. I have my doubts on this one, for no other reason than simple physiology.

    The NFL is not only about sports. It’s about business. Winning in the NFL is very good for business. Pandering, losing and bad press is not (usually). If she makes it, rocks the kicks and outperforms her male counterparts, well done. This just has lawsuit waiting to happen written all over it, though, and I hope I am wrong about that. I enjoy the NFL and there have been more than enough do-gooder changes to the league as it is.

    Report this comment

    Patriot72  
    • ssbstspd
      Posted on March 3, 2013 at 10:50pm

      patriot72. I was thinking the same exact thing. This is a lawsuit ready to happen. I still cant wait for all the lawsuits over discrimination inside the service due to the gay stance being reformed to allow openly gay servicemen and women. Im quite suprised that lawsuits are flooding the courts with this. Im sure they are its probally just not being reported on. Plus we know how well the military can keep a secret. usually not for that long though. It will get out. Then maybe we can second guess the whole thing without being called homophobes and bigots.

      Report this comment

      ssbstspd  
  • Mr. H.
    Posted on March 3, 2013 at 10:14pm

    What does think the opposing team is going to do, not rush her on a punt, or a field goal? What is she going to do after she kicks the kickoff, stand there, run away from the return, or try to play like a man with less than half their muscle, bone, and maybe a fourth of their strength.

    Report this comment

    Mr. H.  
    • termyt
      Posted on March 4, 2013 at 9:05am

      That is pretty much what male kickers do on a kick-off. Most of them are pretty small and fragile compared to the other players, as well.

      The Steelers once recruited an Australian Rules player to be their kicker. He was one of the biggest, baddest in Australia and just another tiny kicker here. He did go after the returner and after a few spectacular collisions, the Steelers made him stop. If the kicker gets injured, the team’s in a real bind. There’s 47 or so people who can run and tackle on the team. There’s one, maybe two who can kick.

      Report this comment

      termyt  
  • skippy6
    Posted on March 3, 2013 at 9:55pm

    Sorry, but if you women want to play football get your own pro team and call it the WNFL!!! Sorry, but racing in a car is different from playing next to a 395 pound lineman that could take your head off and not feel bad about doing so!!!

    Report this comment

    skippy6  
  • phrogdriver
    Posted on March 3, 2013 at 9:54pm

    She got her 15 minutes of fame. Now she can shuffle off to the ash-heap of history.

    Report this comment

    phrogdriver  
  • New.World.Fastfood.Order
    Posted on March 3, 2013 at 9:48pm

    Her left eye is much higher than her right?

    Report this comment

    New.World.Fastfood.Order  
  • runwithscissors
    Posted on March 3, 2013 at 9:48pm

    Not a sports fan at all. That said, why is it that something for men exclusively bad? There is something wrong with a woman who wants to join the nfl.

    Report this comment

    runwithscissors  
  • Popp40
    Posted on March 3, 2013 at 9:43pm

    I suspect it was a planned injury!

    Report this comment

    Popp40  
  • Mike76
    Posted on March 3, 2013 at 9:42pm

    Was she just there to make a social statement? 20 yards? So she’s never actually played as a kicker before, but she showed up for the heck of it? There ARE girls on high school and college teams who can kick as well as any male player – why weren’t they there?

    Report this comment

    Mike76  
    • termyt
      Posted on March 4, 2013 at 9:11am

      She had an injury. It’s funny you noticed the part of the article where she only kicked 20 yards, but not the part about her quadriceps injury. I guess that part of the story didn’t fit your narrative.

      Report this comment

      termyt  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on March 3, 2013 at 9:42pm

    Well, I think Terrell Owens was the first female player, he was B*tchy enough and seemed to always get cramps and emotional outbursts when the QB didn’t pay enough attention to him. He always seemed like he needed a hug and midol.

    Report this comment

    Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • normalmom
      Posted on March 3, 2013 at 11:23pm

      There are other diva’s on the field too. I am having trouble stopping laughing at your statement. I am a woman, I can throw the ball, but I use that to teach my boys. My youngest has a pretty good throw.

      Report this comment

      normalmom  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on March 4, 2013 at 12:02am

      Why to go Mom, raise them boys right and they will thank you when the camera’s are on them.

      Report this comment

      Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
  • KevINtampa
    Posted on March 3, 2013 at 9:39pm

    Manon Rheaume had a much better showing back in the early 90′s in regards to her participation in an NHL exhibition match. It was impressive, for a woman, but unimpressive by against the caliber of NHL standards.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manon_Rh%C3%A9aume

    Report this comment

    KevINtampa  
  • Tri-ox
    Posted on March 3, 2013 at 9:30pm

    Uh, no. Her tryout was a joke.

    http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2013/03/03/lauren-silberman-female-kicker-nfl-tryout-ends-with-injury/1960553/

    Report this comment

    Tri-ox  
  • banjarmon
    Posted on March 3, 2013 at 9:25pm

    I still would not watch!

    Report this comment

    banjarmon  
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