A Letter from Emily Preston to Jen Welter

When I grew up, there was no future for girls and women in football. Now, girls who love the game can look at the progress of the sport through leagues like the IWFL and the WFA, and even further, grow up with Gold Medal Dreams. As one of the countless women who has dedicated my life to football, sometimes I forget how far we have come, or maybe, don’t quite grasp the impact we have had.

 So, thank you to Emily for reaching out, sharing her story, and confirming how important it is for women to play the game of football! ~ Thank you for allowing me to share this with everyone Emily.

Hi Jen,

My name is Emily and I’m a soon-to-be high school senior. My junior year, I played for our school’s JV team—it was the first year I’d ever done it, though I’d known about women’s football leagues and the many women and girls who play football across the country for a few years. I think I was hooked on it before I even put on pads, but the moment I did, I knew that there was no way I would ever not want to play this game. This year, since I am going to be a senior, I will have to play on our high school’s Varsity team—I am exceptionally lucky, because our high school does not have try-outs or make cuts; if you show up every day, get good grades, and don’t mess around, you can stay (that’s not to say our Varsity isn’t good—we are expected to make a run for state this year, I am very happy to say!). I am lucky because this will be only the second year I have ever played football, and quite frankly, it’s very apparent. Like you, I am 5’2” (well technically 5’1 & ¾”, but who’s counting?), and there have been many times when I felt extremely discouraged, partly because I simply am not yet even a decent player, partly because others thought I would be easily hurt and not much rewarded for it, and partly because I knew that my small size would always be a disadvantage, even if I were to play against other women. However, I stayed with the team, and while I have had several hiccups this year, being unsure of whether I should continue playing football as a senior or not, I have decided that I will do just that. Part of the reason why I feel confident in my ability to survive as a member of this all-boys team is because I know that someone else who is the same size as me has done the exact same thing, only the people she went up against were probably even bigger. I am lucky to have very supportive teammates who respect me enough to not go easy on me because of my gender, but who are also aware of the disadvantage my limited size and experience bring. It’s my dream to one day play in the WFA or IWFL, and right now I feel like I could play this game forever. I've absolutely fallen head over heels in love with it, and I hope that never changes. I wanted to write you this letter because I felt that I owed something to you in the sense that you made me realize that yes, I am small, and yes, I am a girl, but there is and always will be a place for me in football. 

Thank you. 

Emily 

A great week in my mission to inspire girls.

A great week in my mission to inspire girls.

I thought making history was tough, but it turns out, the question of what to do next is actually tougher. Apparently, when you do something that no one has ever done before, no one is really sure what to do with you next. Take that challenge, then add my specific makeup as a female football playing PhD who loves modeling, public speaking, and TV appearances, and even some of the most talented people in publishing, public relations, television, and sports tipped their heads sideways in confusion, while chomping at the bit as they taste potential.

As I have experienced this process, I can assure you am both excited and impatient. I am excited about the potential that the future holds, yet I am impatient because I would prefer that I had a game-plan.

Meanwhile, though my long-term game-plan is still developing, my basic mission to inspire young girls is building momentum. Within the last week “Back to School” timing provided me with two opportunities to speak to Kids.

First, ScoutsViewSports.com gave me the opportunity to encourage young student athletes to take control of their athletic futures by marketing themselves to colleges. At a concert put on by Jump On It, prior to a performance by Kirko Bangz, I encouraged the kids, especially the girls, to follow their passions and work hard for their dreams. As I told them, “my whole career I was told what I could not do, and that the only thing I could not do was quit, so I made history.” I also told the girls, “this concert is a concentration of heavy-hitters, and yet, the only female on the line-up tonight is me. Ladies, I challenge you. I know there are aspiring MC’s in the crowd tonight, instead of working your way to the front row of the stage, I encourage you perform on it. Whatever your stage, be the performer rather than just the supporter.” In the end, a crowd that was previously drowning other people out with chants of “Kirko” was now clamoring for selfies.

A few days later, I joined Un Deux Trois on Berkshire Lane in Dallas TX for their back to school fashion show. Though it was a completely different setup than the concert, the goal was to give the girls a boost before heading back to school. Like the girls, I dressed up in some of the trendiest fashion for girls. I actually joked and said that the reason I got hired for the show was because I not only made history, but that I was small enough to wear the clothes.

After we had finished rocking the runway, I had a chance to talk to the girls. Now, for the girls who clearly had the advantages of family support, I encourage them to be “& girls.” I told the girls that I remembered being their age and struggling with being pretty & smart & athletic. I felt like I had to minimize my gifts, so that I would not make my friends feel bad. The reassured them that “finally after making history as a professional football player & a doctor, who has modeled and been on TV, I realized it is not only okay to be an & woman, it is amazing.”

An adorable girl raised her hand and asked, “on a scale of 1-10, how amazing do you think you are?”

I could not help but laugh as I said, “Well I am pretty competitive, so I could always be better, but I score pretty high. I will let you give me the final rating though.”

As we were wrapping up, I took one more opportunity to share a message with the girls. I said, “girls, I also want you to know that life will not always be perfect. And you can’t let a lack of perfection keep you from something incredible. Sometimes you just have to tip your hat to the side and rock with it.” I literally had gotten the first prototypes of my custom hats from Stelth in the mail, so I took the opportunity to share why I wore the Stelth hat on Arsenio Hall.

The morning that I was on my way to Arsenio Hall, I looked in the mirror, and I noticed that I had a black eye. I told the girls, “I didn’t want to go on National TV and have everyone see my back eye, but that I also couldn’t miss the opportunity to do Arsenio Hall. So, I picked up the hat Stelth had sent me, before all the hype, just because they believed in me. I decided since they had supported me, I was going to support them, so I picked up the cap, tipped it to the side, caught my flight to California, and rocked it on Arsenio. Since they had supported me, I supported them, and now we have a custom hat.”

At the end of the show, I signed autographs and took pictures until each girl had her chance, and I sold all but 2 of the Stelth caps. At the end of the night, I knew there were some newly empowered “& girls” walking out that night, who would definitely tip their caps to the side and rock with it.

Ultimately, these two encounters confirmed that I am on the right path. Throughout my career, I have committed to following my heart. Though I wish I could see my bigger picture, I must say, as long as I am making a living inspiring others, I am living a great life. Maybe just maybe, I will inspire someone to help me elevate along the way. Who wouldn’t want to see a history making female football player on TV?

IWFL World Championship: Playing with Passion

In my heart, I had hoped this piece would be about the Houston Energy’s glorious victory over the Pittsburgh Passion in the Independent Women’s Football League World Championship. Unfortunately, as they say, “on any given Sunday” – or in our case Saturday – any team can beat any other team. In this case, the Passion defeated the Energy, and as an athlete, I admire the way they played that game. The Passion truly played up to their name that night and showed why they had the perfect season. They truly left it all on the field.

Football is about capitalizing on opportunities and creating momentum. When in the position to, the Passion put points on the board, and when they had the opportunity to, they boldly pushed for more. Unfortunately, having been on the opposing side of the ball, it felt as though when one thing went wrong, it wasn’t isolated, and eventually it snow-balled, and we never recovered.

I personally felt opportunities slip right through my fingers in a series of almosts. I almost recovered the ball after forcing the opposing quarterback to fumble. I almost recovered both of the Passion’s onside kick attempts. Unfortunately, in football, almost means I did not. I did not recover the fumble, and I did not recover the onside kicks.

It would have been easy to give in to that frustration and give up on the game, give up on myself and give up on my team. I could have easily stopped fighting. However, though I know it was not my best game, and it certainly was not the game I had hoped I would play, what I am most proud of is that I never gave up. Even when the game was out of reach, I continued to fight.

I admit I have been sick to my stomach for the past few days. I have lost sleep replaying my game in my mind, thinking if I would have just recovered one of those balls, if I had just capitalized on one of those mistakes, the momentum would have gone in our favor. Unfortunately, the past is past, and I cannot change it. All I can do now is look at the game and find value even in defeat.

The thing I admire the most about that game is how the Pittsburgh Passion went after the win. From start to finish they attacked. They followed their game plan, and they aggressively pushed us. As they pushed, we made mistakes, and they capitalized. Honestly, the Passion forced us to play their game, and, unfortunately, we were on our heels all night. We never fully recovered, and we never really got into our own rhythm.
Ultimately, I am proud of my team the Houston Energy. It was a great season with an unfortunate ending. With regards to this game, my helmet is off to Pittsburgh, you truly played with Passion.

Dr. Jen Welter earned a master’s degree in sports psychology and a doctorate in psychology from Capella University. A women’s professional football for 13 seasons, she currently is a member of the Texas Revolution, a male professional indoor football league. A four-time league champion with the Women’s Football Alliance’s Dallas Diamonds, Welter played for the 2010 and 2013 U.S. Women’s National Team at the IFAF Women’s World Championship, helping the Unites States earn a pair of gold medals. You can follow her on Twitter @jwelter47.

Success can be measured beyond statistics

In terms of success, certain things are easy to measure. Look at player statistics, wins, losses and, of course, the ultimate: a championship. With quantitative measurements, it is easy to say whether or not an athlete or a team was successful.

As an athlete, I have experienced seasons when I was the leading tackler on a team, so it was easy to say I was a success that season. I have played on teams that had winning records, so the coaches said we had a winning season. I have won championships, and that speaks for itself in terms of team success.

Obviously, quantitative measurements provide an objective measure of success. However, the question becomes: Is there success beyond the numbers? Further, if success is more than just statistics, how do you know when you are successful?

I suppose I am writing this today in search of my own answers. In part, I am trying to gage my own success as the first woman to play men’s professional football as a running back.

For so long, I have been one of the best women’s players in the world, and for so long, I judged my impact and value with statistics, all-star teams, championships and gold medals. Now, for the first time in a long time, if I only looked at my personal stat sheet, I would be a failure. However, in my heart, I know that my value in the story of football, as a role model for young girls and as an example that anything is possible makes me a success.

When I started with the Texas Revolution, few people thought I would survive training camp, fewer still thought I would making the opening day active roster and even I never imagined I would last an entire season. Of course, I would have preferred that I scored some touchdowns and made some big plays. However, in the end, I could only do what I was given the opportunity to do.

Though my statistics did not show it, what I did this season was bigger than running the football. In our last game, I was even one of the captains. I may not have been a leader in the stats, but I was a leader in my heart, hustle and persistence.
If I could give anything to those of you pursuing your dreams, it would be heart, hustle and persistence. If you live life and play with those characteristics, you will always win, no matter what the stats say. Play beyond the stats, and I guarantee you: Eventually, the stats that really matter will come.

Cheers from the gridiron.

Dr. Jen Welter earned a master’s degree in sports psychology and a doctorate in psychology from Capella University. A women’s professional football for 13 seasons, she currently is a member of the Texas Revolution, a male professional indoor football league. A four-time league champion with the Women’s Football Alliance’s Dallas Diamonds, Welter played for the 2010 and 2013 U.S. Women’s National Team at the IFAF Women’s World Championship, helping the Unites States earn a pair of gold medals. You can follow her on Twitter @jwelter47.

Dr. Jen Welter
BS Business, MS Sport Psychology, PhD Psychology

Female RB in Men's Pro Football, Texas Revolution
13 Seasons Women's Professional Football
8 time All-American linebacker/ safety ('03, '05, '06, '07, '08, 09, 10, & 12)
4 time World Champion with the Dallas Diamonds ('04, '05, '06, & '08)
2 time Gold Medalist, Team USA IFAF Women's World Championships 2010 & 2013
All-World All-Star WWC 2010

Playing and living in the moment

In football and in life, it is easy to get stuck in the future. Think about it. In a game, how many times have you said:

If I make this play, then …

When we score, next we will …

When we win this game, then we will …

After this team, next we play …

While it is important to plan for the future, an athlete’s success is tied to playing in the moment. Too often players lose sight of the moment, because they look past the present. No matter what your ultimate goal is, you have to execute in the present to succeed in the future.

We have all heard people say they live in the moment, but for some reason few people explain why or how. By living in the moment, you need to play in the moment. Your mind only holds one thought at a time. If you are thinking about what happens after you make this play, you are not thinking about what you need to do to be successful on this play. Focus on the play at hand.

Success comes one play at a time, one game at a time and one season at a time. As a player, your job is to execute each play as if it was the only play. Trust me, if you are worried about the last play or the next play, you will miss the current play. Leave the contingency plans to your coach. Your coach is the one who has to adjust the game plan according to what is or is not working. If you are executing your play, you will get another. If you are not executing, you will not have to worry about the next play because your coach will have to put someone else in.

It is really easy to get wrapped up in future planning and long term goals. Of course, your long term health and success are the most important factors. However, long term decisions and long term planning are not meant to be decided in the midst of a play. During each play, focus on where you are. In a game, play in the game you are in. In the season, play in the season you are in. Success requires progress, and progress is made in the moment. Use each play and practice to execute the tasks necessary for your long term success.

Play big.

Dr. Jen Welter earned a master’s degree in sports psychology and a doctorate in psychology from Capella University. A women’s professional football for 13 seasons, she currently is a member of the Texas Revolution, a male professional indoor football league. A four-time league champion with the Women’s Football Alliance’s Dallas Diamonds, Welter played for the 2010 and 2013 U.S. Women’s National Team at the IFAF Women’s World Championship, helping the Unites States earn a pair of gold medals. You can follow her on Twitter @jwelter47.

Woman Football Player Welter To Play In Revolution’s Season Finale In The Allen Event Center on June 14

ALLEN, Texas – The Texas Revolution will be playing female running back against playoff contender Nebraska at their home finale inside the Allen Event Center on June 14.

The 5 foot 2 inch, one hundred thirty pound running back made national headlines once making it through the indoor football team’s training camp and has appeared in 3 games including one against the IFL’s reigning champion the Sioux Falls Storm. The Revolution marked Welter on short term injured reserve for a part of the season; battling back, she maintained her position on the practice squad and played in some key match ups for the Revolution.

Encouraging young women of all ages and taking a strong hold in the community, Welter has inspired, and been someone that any athlete can admire. “I like the way she comes to work every day, always ready to go.” Said Revolution Head Coach, Chris Williams.

Dr. Jen Welter played Rugby for Boston College, 13 years in women’s professional football having played for team USA twice and now has been the first female to carry the ball in a men’s professional team in a highly competitive league. Featured on several major entertainment and media outlets through the season becoming the darling of professional football.

The Texas Revolution are members of the United Conference in the Indoor Football League and play all home games inside the Allen Event Center in Allen, Texas. The Revs take on the Nebraska Danger (9-4) on Saturday, June 14 at 7PM inside the Allen Event Center.

Is it what you do, or who you know?

For quite some time, I have been working on writing a book. Though I have been blogging for USA Football, I have kept many of my stories saved in the privacy of my own hard drive. However, as I was sitting down to type my latest encounter, I realized, this particular interaction will find it’s way into my book eventually, but that it needed more immediate attention.

Since playing for the Texas Revolution, I have had some great media and social media success, but I have also had my frustrations. Though some great buzz was created, I have privately fielded questions and concerns from friends of mine who were professional athletes wondering why it wasn’t bigger news. Questions like, Jen why did you never make it to any of the major female talk shows like Elen or Oprah? Why did SNL not pick up on you? Why no print magazines, only online versions? Jen, you made history, you should be doing this and that, making this and that etc. Upon fielding those questions, I would have to admit my own limitations, meaning I was limited by the fact that publicity was limited by what I, and the Media Director of the Texas Revolution, Mat Lundsford could generate.

I can not tell you how many times I fielded shock and confusion in the form of questions. “Why don’t you have an agent?” “Why would you think you could do this alone?” “Don’t you want help?”

Yes, guys, of course I want help. Of course, I would love for someone to be “handling PR for me,” but as the only woman in men’s professional football, there has been no roadmap to follow, and no huge agencies dying to help me.

Finally, I thought I got my break. A good friend of mine, who happens to be a SuperBowl Champion, recommended a PR person to me. He said to make sure she would work a percentage deal , because he knew I was far from well-funded by playing in the IFL. He was sure, with my story and my education, she would love to work with me.

Though I was apprehensive, I decided to reach out. When we finally got on the phone, I was excited and energized. First she gave me a summary of her background and experiences, then she said she could see that I was limited in what I was able to accomplish. Though I had felt good about what I had been able to do without a team, when she said, “a few talk shows and some media,” I immediately felt inept.

She then went on to ask what brands I was trying to build, and I told her one of my projects. As soon as I mentioned budget limitations, her tone audibly hardened, the conversation shifted to facts and figures. Before I could even really chime in, I was quoted a minimum monthly retained that was more over double what I had made in my entire time playing with the Texas Revolution.

Obviously, I could not agree to pay her money I didn’t have, and she quickly told me she no longer needed to donate time unless it was a charity that was close to her heart. As a consolation prize, she promised to reach out to some colleagues who might be willing to do some “pro bono work.” Before I could engage her in any more dialogue, even ask for guidance, she excused herself from the call. Though she said one of her clients was on the phone, and promised to call me back, the return call never came.

I knew what the interruption meant, but what spoke even louder was when she did not call back.
Several days later I received a text message which said:

Jen, I hope all is well… I just wanted you to know that I reached out to a few colleagues of mine and none of them have any flexibility to do anything on a commission basis right now. So, I am so sorry that I cannot help you, but I do wish you luck with all your endeavors.

At that very moment, I envied the business model of all the housewives show. Leveraging someone else’s money, to create pseudo-celebrity, then leveraging that pseudo-celebrity status to create money. The reality of the housewives trend, coupled with a producer telling me off-line that I would be perfect, if only I had a famous husband, had my head spinning , damn, why was I so busy inspiring young girls and making history, I should have been making money instead.

Not knowing what else to do, I decided to find my own voice and just sit down and write. If kept to myself, these experiences only help me, but by writing them, I have an opportunity to help other people.

In this case, I thought maybe, sharing this story, and this frustration might give those who I have helped, those who I have inspired, or anyone has a daughter in need of a female mentor an opportunity to change the dynamic. Do we really want the media we see to be dominated by people who have thousands of dollars monthly to keep a PR firm on retainer? Is there really no PR firm or publicist who would or could spend an hour or two using his or her power of who? Do producers and publishers really let the publicists control their stories?

Honestly, unfortunately, I don’t know how all those things work. Obviously, I cannot afford to have those things working for me. Instead, if you read this, I would ask that you think of your power of who, and see if there is something you can do.  Share a story. Share my website. Own your social media power.  Retweet, post, etc. Be bold and reach out, because if you care enough, others will follow your lead.  Please demonstrate that what you do as important as who you know! I am suiting out for one more Texas Revolution home game on June 14th, and the Army vs. Navy Veterans game on June 28th, and I need your support!  Info at www.JenWelter.com  www.TexasRevs.com  www.AFL-China.com

In terms of athletic resumes, few are a hard-hitting as that of little 5’2” linebacker Dr. Jen Welter, who made history as one of the first females to play in men's professional football. On January 24th, 2014 Welter signed with the Texas Revolution of the Indoor Football League to play Running Back. Due to the challenges of switching from playing with women to men, outdoor football to indoor football, and defense to offense, few people thought Welter would survive the Texas Revolution's Training camp. However, not only did she survive, Welter suited up for the preseason game against the North Texas Crunch on February 15, 2014. Welter rushed for 3 carries and -1 yard, and secured her spot in history as the first woman to play Running Back in men's professional football. Four days after Welter made history, on February 19th, the Revolution named Welter to the 2014 regular season roster. After making the 24 man roster, Welter was among the 20 players suited up for the February 21st game. Welter has remained an active player on the team through the 2014 season and dressed again with the Revolution on May 24th.

Prior to making history with men’s professional football in 2014, Welter had an amazing 13 year career in Women’s Professional Football. In 2013, Welter achieved several huge milestones by publishing her dissertation, graduating from her PhD program, becoming Dr. Welter, and winning her 2nd Gold Medal with Team USA at the IFAF Women’s World Championship. Ultimately, Welter’s  13 year Women’s football career included 2 Gold Medals, 4 World Championships, and 8 All Star Team selections.