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When Becky Glasgow isn't working with children such as
Becky Glasgow, who has dreamed of playing football her whole life, now starts as a noseguard and defensive tackle |
Three-year-old Chloe Steigleman beckons Becky Glasgow, "Again! Again!" as her ride on a swing set slows to a halt.
During the week, Glasgow works at her family's Planting the Seed Too Family Daycare Center in Stafford, obliging youngsters like Steigleman when they call for a push on the swing. While providing them a good lift, Glasgow rarely lets them get as high, fast or reckless as they want.
On the weekends, Glasgow has an outlet to unbridle her energy and go full tilt when she suits up for the D.C. Divas of the National Women's Football Association.
Glasgow is a rookie noseguard and defensive tackle for the Divas, who began their third season last Saturday with a 50-0 win over the Erie (Pa.) Illusion. The NWFA has 29 teams, most of them east of the Mississippi River.
Tonight at 7 p.m. at Eastern High School in Washington, the Divas will play their home opener against the perennially tough Baltimore Burn.
Tackling is Glasgow's new pastime, and she loves it. Finally, she has found a sport to welcome her. At 5-foot-7 and 270 pounds, Glasgow went through North Stafford High School seeing only two weeks of sports action.
She played on the defensive line in the Powder Puff football game during her junior and senior years. The game shifts gender roles between football players and cheerleaders, where the girls play football and the boys cheer.
Aside from a week of practice and the light-hearted game, Glasgow found no chance to play her favorite sport.
Until opportunity rang during her 21st birthday party last June. Family friend David Herriott handed Glasgow a card with a phone number on the back, which he urged her to call as soon as possible. Herriott previously worked with one of the Divas coaches and recognized Glasgow's potential.
Glasgow wondered what single guy was he trying to set her up with. She did not look on the back of the card to see the Divas' schedule.
Not that it would have provided much of a clue for Glasgow, a longtime Chicago Bears fan who--at that point--had never heard of the Divas nor even knew the National Football League had a women's counterpart.
"When I finally got through to one of the coaches, he said to be ready for tryouts in August. I was like, 'What?' I'd never in my life been on a team," Glasgow said.
Her father, Bob, however, had played football in high school and college.
Pain was Becky's companion for the next two months as her dad set up her training regimen. Borrowing from his military days as an Army sergeant and his football background, he put Becky through rigorous workouts four days a week, with weight training twice weekly. Sprints and stair climbing were the cornerstone to build her endurance and strength.
"I had her do exactly what I did for football. It didn't matter whether she was Becky my daughter or Walter Payton, I knew the type of conditioning she needed," Bob Glasgow said. "She would say nasty things under her breath, and then say, 'Oh no, I love you, Daddy.'"
The hard work was not in vain. Glasgow easily earned a spot on the Divas after attending five of their six tryouts in the fall.
Already a starter, she has yet to be taken down by a teammate or opponent--earning her the nickname "Boulder."
"She's a big rock who's hard to move. She hits hard and kind of pushes me around," said Divas veteran lineman Jamie Nicholas, who at 5-9 and 250 pounds is not easily toppled. "When we were doing a drill, she almost threw me to the wall of the gym."
Nicholas played in a women's flag football league in Washington prior to joining the Divas.
Without the same football opportunity in Stafford County, Glasgow had to learn even more about the game than most rookies. She recalls going into the wrong gap between blockers last Saturday.
D.C. Divas linebacker Amy Juang kindly informed her of the mistake. The constructive criticism helped ease her nerves and prevented a repeat error.
"Everyone makes mistakes when you first start out, even the three-year veterans," Nicholas said. "Boulder doesn't whine, and she's certainly not an excuse-maker. She just gets up and gets it right the next time."
The Divas finished one game short of the playoffs last season. This year, they hope a talented crew of rookies including Glasgow will give them their first postseason appearance.
The Divas play Baltimore tonight at 7 p.m. at Eastern High School on 1700 E. Capitol St. in Northeast Washington, adjacent to RFK Stadium.
Take I-95 north. Immediately after crossing the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, take Exit 2 onto 295 north and take Benning Road exit (on left). Go to the third light on Benning (after crossing Anacostia River) and turn left onto Oklahoma Avenue. You will hit the stadium in four blocks. The school is less than a half-mile from the Stadium-Armory Metro stop off the orange or blue line.
Tickets are $12 for general admission. Free for age 6-under.
