E.N.Y. Woman Fulfilling Her Dream Of Playing Pro Football
By Merle Exit

Shauntay Stewart

Football may be the fastest budding professional sport for female athletes in the United States, growing from a trio of teams five years ago to more than 100 across the country in 2004 with three major leagues. The New York Sharks, a member of the IWFL, has 50 players on its roster from all over the tri-state area, including more than a handful of players from Brooklyn, including one East New York resident, rookie inside linebacker Shauntay Stewart.

A native of Brooklyn, Stewart went to Paul Robeson High School where she was captain of the school’s basketball cheerleading squad. But that was not her only background in sports.

"My family was always into sports," said the 24-year-old. "It was my mother who started teaching me about the rules of football. We would all sit around and watch the games and the Super Bowl every year.

"When I was in grammar school and junior high school I used to run track and was the fastest female on the team. My brother Michael and my cousin Joey are very much into sports. They both play basketball and football. When they were in high school I went to every one of their games and was the loudest one in the bleachers. It was then that I said that if they ever had a football team for women I would definitely want to be a player."

Some of Shauntay Stewart’s biggest fans… her family. Photos By Tom Gotsch

Why football? Shauntay said that she loves the teamwork, the bond that forms and even more, "I especially love THE HITTING! One day when I was at work the conversation of football came up and I was curious as to whether there were any women football teams. I naturally went online and the New York Sharks popped up."

Once she researched the league and the team, she checked to see when the tryouts were taking place. "What really intrigued me was the fact that the owner, Andra Douglas, is also the team’s backup quarterback. I called Crystal Turpin, the General Manager, wanting to find out if this was the real thing and with her encouragement I went out for the team"

Since most women who try out for these football teams lack playing experience, it isn’t until they are in full uniform that they learn what it’s like to tackle.

Stewart did not get the chance to show off her skills until the second game of the season with a few good tackles.

With one pro football family, Stewart’s brother, Mike Martinez, is trying for a spot within the NFL. She said her brother "is proud of my making a pro team before he did," and added, "I don’t think he thinks it’s as competitive as going into the NFL but he supports me in whatever I want to do as long as it’s positive. We’re a very supportive family."

Stewart also said, "I don’t think men really believe there is a female football league until they have experienced watching a game."

The next Sharks home game is scheduled for May 15 at 3p.m. For further information on the New York Sharks, visit their website of www.nysharksfootball.com.