Definitely not what I expected her to look like....
Former soccer player set to make history as first woman in the NFL
A 28-year-old woman from New York is set to become the first female to be given a try out for the NFL.
Lauren Silberman had never kicked anything more than a soccer ball in an organised game before she started practicing long-range field goals. Now she has been given a chance at an NFL regional scouting combine on Sunday at the New York Jets' training facility in Florham Park, New Jersey.
It follows the success of Wisconsin-born Nascar driver Danica Patrick, 30, who became the first woman to start the Daytona 500 on pole position. Patrick's achievement sparked predictions she could become the first woman to win the 'Great American Race' in Florida, but she eventually finished eighth.
Speaking about her chances of getting the NFL call, Silberman said: 'I am working hard to prepare but I am also realistic about my chances. 'I hope my willingness to put myself out there inspires others to seize opportunities and challenges. The support from around the world has been so heartening.'
Her goal for the weekend is to kick perfect 60-yard field goals.
However, the odds are against her - scouts are likely to want to see her connect on extra points and chip-shot field goals with some consistency before moving on to the heavy kicking.
While a female has never played in the NFL, if the gender breakthrough did happen, it most likely would be at kicker.
As a grad student at MIT, Silberman wrote her Master's thesis on how college and pro athletes can use video games to improve their athletic performance.
Read more:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...#ixzz2MIxUfaob