[Stereotype]-an
oversimplified standard image of a person or group.
Stereotypes
exist in all situations but are especially strong when it comes to life in the
NFL. Richie and I went to Wells Fargo
last week because we needed a notary. We
sat down at the banker’s desk and chatted as she documented our IDs and went
through her process. With our multiple
addresses and out of state IDs, she eventually asked Richie what he did for
work. He responded that he played for
the Panthers. Her response was one that most people think but few actually say out
loud. She glanced over at me, “You must
just shop all day and spend the money, huh?”
I mustered the strength to shove down my anger and responded with a big
grin and a quick, “yep”. What else do
you say to a person who has clearly made up their mind about the person you are?
I know who I am and I have
confidence in that!
You see,
there is a misconception that NFL women are prissy, spoiled, trophies who have
sought out this lifestyle. I’m sure
there are a few of these women sprinkled here and there throughout the league,
but from my own experience this couldn’t be further from the truth! The women
that I have met are STRONG!
I have learned more from these women in my short time being here than I ever
could have imagined. They are smart,
strong-willed, confident, graceful, giving, and down-to- earth women. They aren’t constantly dripping in designer
goods and they surely aren’t consumed by selfish motives. Most of these women have been there
supporting their men since college, long before any talk of the NFL.
We, as
women of the NFL, fill so many roles besides being the wife of a player. We are the ones in the shadow who become the counselors,
nurses, home managers, and the cheerleaders to our men while they fight to live
out their dream of playing in the NFL, and we do this while smiling and
maintaining our own sense of self.
For the
sake of full disclosure, yes we sometimes spend our day at the mall and most of
us carry expensive purses but this is NOT all
that we are!
Xoxo,
Whitney
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