Story 38. Written by Jim Waitlord

Prologue: The Beginnings

Once upon a time, there was a man. He was a coach at a high school. American football was his craft. And he had a theory that he wanted to prove with blood and sweat. He had a wife. When he married her, he decided that as soon as a son was born, his life would revolve around football, and he would mold him into a famous player. He even married a woman who had good physical attributes. Atlas, as his friends called him, was obsessed. Football was not just a game to him, but a religion, a way of life.

But fate smiled on Atlas, but not in the way he imagined. This man had five daughters. The dreams woven about the son shattered like a bad pass on the wet grass. Then the woman was no longer able to have more children. Atlas was broken. He felt that the god of football had turned away from him.

Of the five daughters, only one was interested in football. She was Samantha, the youngest. Atlas thought, "That's it," and accepted his fate. He taught this girl football. True, she was smaller and less strong than a man, but by the time she was in high school, she joined her father's team and sometimes played. The boys laughed, of course, and the parents worried, but Atlas believed in her. Samantha proved that she belonged there. She wasn't outstanding, but she put her heart on the field.

Obviously, she couldn't make a career of it, because she was a woman. This was the societal dogma, the unspoken rule. Samantha graduated from college and got a job, living an average life. But she couldn't find her place. A 9-to-5 job, a boring office – it wasn't what she wanted. Football was in her blood, her breath.

One morning, as she lay half-asleep in bed, inspiration struck. The realization came as suddenly as a sack. The thought pierced her sharply: Why is it that only men can play this game? The injustice turned to resentment, and the resentment turned to determination.

She said to herself, "I'll show them, I'll even prove that women are better than men!" This wasn't just a dream, but a mission. Samantha knew it was audacious, but that's what gave her strength.

She started to execute her plan. She placed an ad looking for women who would undertake to form a team that would take on the men. This was the first step. A single ad with a crazy idea, but enough to start an avalanche.

Then she started bombarding the teams, verbally taunting them, saying that they were nothing, that even a women's team could beat them. The goal was clear: challenge them, provoke them, corner them.

Act One: The Challenge

Report Excerpt - Sarah Miller, ESPN:

"So Samantha, tell us about the moment you first challenged the New York Titans."

Samantha (smiling): "It was simple. I called their manager and said my team would wipe the floor with them. They thought I was kidding."

Sarah Miller: "And their reaction?"

Samantha: "They laughed. They said they would never stand against us. And I said they'd regret it."

At first, they didn't take it seriously, but later there was a manager, Richard Harrison, who said: "This is so stupid, we can make a shitload of money from this." Richard, a seasoned veteran who had seen a thing or two in the football world, sensed the opportunity. Scandal, attention, viewership – it all meant money.

He said, "I'll take the bait. I'll make this match happen. No matter what comes of it, the whole of America is going to watch it, that's for sure." The decision was made. The New York Titans accepted the challenge.

Act Two: The Recruitment

Preparation begins. The twenty women who apply, each for their own reasons – wanting to be famous, a celebrity, or just really wanting to show that it can be done. This team wasn't just made up of footballers, but a motley mix of society. Each of them had a story, a reason to risk their lives.

For example, a woman is about to commit suicide, goes to the top of a skyscraper to jump off. The wind blows a newspaper in front of her with the headline "Women Wanted for Team Against Men." This was the sign, the opportunity for redemption.

Three girls are getting high, with no purpose in life, and suddenly an ad pops up online, and one of them says: "That's it, I belong there!" Hope replaced the daze.

Or a homeless woman walks down the street and sees a neon ad. She applies. Football became a refuge, an opportunity to break free.

A rowdy woman is brought in by the police. He tells her, "You're so aggressive, you could go into American football." She applies, and the charges are dropped. Aggression became a weapon, a tool for victory.

Report Excerpt - David Stern, The New York Times:

"Samantha, how did you find these women? It's almost a fairy tale."

Samantha: "I was looking for those who had nothing to lose. Those who had something to prove. Who were ready to fight."

David Stern: "And what did your family say about this?"

Samantha: "My dad said I was crazy. And my mom cried. But they knew I couldn't be talked out of it."

Act Three: The Other Side

The other side. The New York Titans win the championship. The glitz, the money, the fame. They were America's favorites.

The manager says, "Boys, there are some crazy women who want to stand against us. Whoever wants to be on the team can be." Richard knew this could be dangerous. A loss could ruin the team's reputation.

"Obviously, anyone who doesn't want to hurt a woman shouldn't even apply, because we have to win here. We can't be disgraced by being humiliated by them." Richard made it clear: victory was the only acceptable outcome.

What a disgrace it would be! The thought was unbearable. They were defending their pride, their honor.

One of the players, Brad "The Hammer" Hamilton, says: "I'll take it, I'll trample their guts!" Brad, the team's star defender, wasn't afraid of the challenge. He enjoyed the brutality, the dominance.

There are a few who say they won't, but the majority say they'll send them all to the afterlife if they have to! They have the desire to win at all costs, no matter who is on the other side. Testosterone, adrenaline, the will to win – that's what drove them.

These statements obviously appear in the media. The match had already started off the field. Words became weapons.

Report Excerpt - Tom Jackson, ESPN:

"Brad, what do you think of the women's team?"

Brad "The Hammer" Hamilton: "I think their place is in the kitchen. But if they dare step onto the field, they're going to regret it."

Tom Jackson: "That's a pretty tough statement."

Brad "The Hammer" Hamilton: "I'm a tough guy. And I'm going to play hard."

Act Four: The Preparation

Meanwhile, the women are also starting their training regimen; they have a year to prepare. Samantha didn't spare them. She knew that men were stronger and faster. But women had other weapons.

The coach says, "Anyone who wants to quit, can. Even in the first rush, there could be brain damage, broken bones, anything. Whoever wants to quit can quit now." The fear was real. The risk of injury was constantly looming over them.

Some get scared and give up, but most stay, and training starts very seriously. Their determination, their faith, was stronger than their fear.

The coach practices what can be used to gain an advantage against men, such as flexibility, speed, trickery, deceptive movements, feigning weakness or injury, etc. Samantha knew they couldn't compete with the brute strength of men, but they could outsmart them.

Anyway, what is American football about? About bending the rules. Pushing the boundaries, exploiting the loopholes.

Then, just as they've won by cheating before, we analyze those methods and apply them in practice. So we use the white man's method: cheating. But I'm sure they'll use it too, so it'll be even. Dishonest tactics became part of football.

It's even possible that in the first rush, up to three people will drop out due to broken bones, and people will have to be brought in off the bench. But only those who dare to step onto the field should come. The risk was high. The chance of injury was great.

Anyway, women have a higher pain threshold, so that's an advantage too. Samantha trusted her team, their perseverance, their willpower.

Act Five: The Love

During the training sessions, Samantha met Jake, one of the Titans' young talents. Jake didn't agree with Brad "The Hammer" Hamilton's opinion of women. He respected Samantha's determination, her courage.

Report Excerpt - Lisa Salters, ESPN:

"Jake, what do you think of Samantha's team?"

Jake: "I think what they're doing is fantastic. It's brave to stand up against the men."

Lisa Salters: "And your teammates?"

Jake: "Not everyone agrees with me, but I believe in fair play."

A spark ignited between the two young people. Secret meetings, stolen kisses after training. Love blossomed in the spotlight.

Act Six: The Day of the Match

Then comes the day of the match. The stadium was packed. The spectators were screaming. The world held its breath waiting for the kickoff. The stakes were high – not only the victory, but also the desire to prove something.

The men attack. The women's team defends. The difference was palpable. The men are faster, stronger. The women are cleverer, more cunning.

In the center stands the coach, as she is obviously a player as well. Samantha stood in the heart of the defense. She was the leader, the motivator.

Head bowed, she looks up. She sees the men's team rushing towards them. Brad "The Hammer" Hamilton led the charge. His gaze was full of hatred.

Suddenly she remembers Alexander the Great when they fought against the elephant charge in India, that is, they defended. Samantha knew they couldn't resist the brute force. But they could strategize.

Alexander the Great said then, standing in front of his men: "I am with you, just hold the line!!" The words gave strength. The fear disappeared.

And the other women said with her: "Hold the line!!" The power of belonging. The faith in victory.

The rush began. The sound of the collision filled the stadium. Bones broke, muscles tore. The battle was ruthless.

As the match progressed, the women held their own. Led by Samantha, they defended wisely and exploited the men's mistakes.

Act Seven: The Tragedy

In the third quarter, Brad "The Hammer" Hamilton committed a brutal foul against Jessica, one of Samantha's best friends. Jessica was seriously injured.

Samantha was seething with anger. Not only the match, but also her friend was in danger. Love suddenly turned to hatred.

Report Excerpt - Suzan Kolber, ESPN:

"Samantha, we saw what happened to Jessica. How do you feel now?"

Samantha (with tears in her eyes): "Brad Hamilton is a monster. He ruined Jessica's life, and I'm going to make him pay for it."

Act Eight: The Breakup

In the locker room, Samantha confronted Jake. Her eyes were full of disappointment and anger.

Samantha: "How could you do this? How can you be friends with a man like that?"

Jake: "Samantha, I don't condone what Brad did. I feel sorry for Jessica."

Samantha: "But you don't do anything. You don't stand by me. You don't stand by my friend."

Jake: "I don't want to ruin my career."

Samantha: "Then choose your career, because I choose my friend."

Their relationship ended. The love vanished. Football separated them.

Act Nine: The Final Showdown

In the last quarter, Samantha risked everything. She devised a new tactic. The women took on the offensive role.

Samantha stood behind the ball as quarterback. Her gaze was focused, determined.

In the last minute, in the last second, Samantha passed. The ball flew through the air. Jessica, who stood on the sidelines despite her injury, watched hopefully.

The ball hit the target. Touchdown! The women won!

The stadium exploded. The spectators celebrated. The world was stunned.

Report Excerpt - Chris Berman, ESPN:

"This is unbelievable! The women have defeated the New York Titans! This is the biggest upset in football history!"

Epilogue: The Legend

Samantha's team became a legend. Their story traveled the world. The women proved that they belonged in football.

Samantha started a movement. Women's football teams formed all over America. Football was no longer just for men.

Brad "The Hammer" Hamilton's career ended. He was forever stigmatized for his foul.

Jake never forgave himself. He knew he had made a mistake – that he should have decided which side he was on.

And Atlas? Atlas was proud of his daughter. He knew that Samantha had achieved what he had always wanted. She became famous.

Samantha's story proved that dreams can come true, that gender differences can be erased, that football is for everyone, and that women can be better than men.

Closing Narration:

After the match, Samantha said: "This is just the beginning. Women are going to achieve so much more."

And she was right.

This was the legend of the 20th century. The imagined report from an American football game that changed the world.

Imagined Report from an American Football Game - The Legend of the 20th Century