Moms Who Are Changing The Face Of Sports
Let’s talk about total kickass women in sports who answer to “Mom.”
Photo: Allyson Felix
Motherhood is an extraordinary journey filled with joys and challenges that profoundly shape a woman's life. This Mother's Day, we bring you a tribute to women who dared to balance the demands of motherhood and professional sports. These kickass women have broken down barriers and paved the way for future generations of female athletes to excel in their respective fields.
The road to motherhood is not always an easy one, and for athletes, the challenge is significant. Athletes must maintain peak physical condition to compete at the highest levels, which can be difficult during pregnancy. Even more challenging is the fact that many female athletes often hide their pregnancies to keep their careers on track.
One such athlete is Skylar Diggins-Smith, a WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) player who kept her pregnancy a secret for an entire season while continuing to perform at an all-star level. When she returned after giving birth, she faced criticism for taking time off to deal with postpartum depression. Her story sparked a conversation about female athletes starting and raising a family, leading to changes in the WNBA's family leave policies.
A decorated Olympic track and field athlete, Allyson Felix challenged Nike's policies. The previously Nike-sponsored athlete took on the company, saying she would be financially penalized for having a child per her contract. (Her daughter was born via emergency c-section in 2018). She was so fed up with their lack of support for female athletes that she left Nike for Athleta. Felix isn't the only athlete worried about being dropped for having a child – it's a far too common practice. NIKE has since changed its policies, and it will not apply any performance-related reductions for 18 months if an athlete becomes pregnant.
Taking our conversation to college hoops, former WNBA player and Arizona Wildcats head women's basketball coach Adia Barnes inspired women everywhere in her quest for her dream job. She coaches alongside her husband and is a mom to two children. During her team's March Madness run in 2020-21, she was giving a pep talk to her team at halftime and pumping as she was still nursing her six-month-old daughter. Barnes shed light on the NCAA's rules that have stifled working moms. Coaches' children, such as Barnes' six-month-old daughter, counted against a team's limited traveling party numbers, so she had to choose between her children and a staff member.
Here's to all the moms and maternal caregivers who are killing it in every aspect of their lives, whether on the court or at home. We see you, and we appreciate you.
PS: We dive further into badass moms in sports in this week's Sports Curious Podcast, which you can listen to here.
These Athlete Mamas Are Making Things Happen
Not all superheroes wear capes.
Need proof moms are superheroes? Look no further than these athletes.
Women - making things happen since forever,
The Last Night’s Game Team
1. We’re seeing the progress in women’s sports in adopting maternity policies for their players. Before these policies were put into place you had stars like Skylar Diggins-Smith, who played an entire WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association) season while pregnant and didn’t tell anyone. In fact, was such a great season for her that she was named to the all-star team. After the birth of her son, she was criticized for taking two months off from the season due to postpartum depression. CUT THE GAL SOME SLACK
2. Olympic track star Allyson Felix made an impact on the track, winning six Olympic gold medals but it’s what she did off the track that has shaped her legacy. The NIKE sponsored athlete took on the company saying per her contract, she would be financially penalized for having a child. (Her daughter was born via emergency c-section in 2018). She was so fed up with their lack of support for female athletes that she left NIKE for Athleta. NIKE has since changed their polices and they will not apply any performance-related reductions for 18 months if an athlete becomes pregnant. CHANGE MAKER
3. When Candace Parker was drafted, everyone thought she’d be the Michael Jordan of the WNBA, and she was, winning attention from big sponsors like Gatorade and Adidas. After her rookie season where she was named rookie of the year and MVP, she returned to the court just 53 days after having her daughter. She did whatever it took to make the best of fitting her new role as a mom in with her career, including nursing at halftime. Parker played 12 seasons in the WNBA. Like many of her peers, during that time she played basketball overseas in the off-season where she earned a bigger paycheck. BRINGING HOME THE BACON
Side note – Parker was the first female to dunk in an NCAA Tournament game. What can’t she do?
4. Serena Williams hasn’t let a life shift like motherhood slow her down. You might remember when she won her 23rd Grand Slam tournament at the Australian Open while pregnant. (The record is 24 wins). After serious medical complications resulting from a c-section birth of her daughter, she’s continued to be a force to be reckoned with on the court. She has launched a clothing line and stays active as a Unicef Goodwill Ambassador, with Serena Ventures where she invests in businesses with diverse founders and doing charity work that benefits causes around the world. GIRL ON FIRE
5. U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team co-captain Alex Morgan is ready to give birth any minute but don’t think that has stopped her from sneaking in impressive workouts to keep her skills game day ready. She was prepared to represent her country in the Tokyo Olympics just three months after having her baby. But with the Olympics being rescheduled it’s a silver lining for Morgan who will have a chance to recover from childbirth and spend some time adjusting to her new role as mom. Although there’s no rest for the weary as she and her teammates continue to fight U.S. Soccer in a legal battle over fair pay. THE GOOD WORK IS NEVER DONE
Show ‘Em What You Got
Make Monday yours and show off your smarts.
Make Monday yours and show off your smarts.
Brains > brawn,
The Last Night’s Game Team
MLB (Major League Baseball)
When all you gave mom was a gift certificate. It was an extra special Mother’s Day for Freddy Peralta of the Milwaukee Brewers. His parents, who live in the Dominican Republic, flew in to see their son pitch in the minor leagues when he received the call that he was needed on the big club. On Sunday, Peralta started his first major league game with his parents right there in the stands to witness his historic start. WATCH
NHL (National Hockey League)
When you have two good options. Nashville Predators super fan, Carrie Underwood, offered to sing the national anthem at a Vegas Golden Knights playoff game since her team is no longer in the playoffs. (Husband Mike Fisher plays for the Predators). The Golden Knights, like many hockey teams, have a dedicated anthem singer so they politely declined the generous offer. HIT THE HIGH NOTE
Overtime
From the "this really exists file." A Boston University student set the record for joggling - jogging while juggling. He ran a four minute, 43.2 second mile while juggling three lacrosse balls. We can’t even walk and chew gum at the same time. NOW THAT'S TALENT
Sideline stat
Golfer Jason Dufner’s golf ball is too good for its home. Yesterday in the final round of the Players Championship, his poor putting cost him $726,000 in prize money when he missed out on a second place finish. Seems like it would be cheaper to hire a putting coach? READ
Coaches’ corner
Some European soccer leagues have what is called relegation. Relegation is basically keeping the league competitive by demoting the worst teams in the highest division to a lower division and promoting the best in the lower division. (Think sending the Los Angeles Dodgers team down to play in the minor leagues and bringing a minor league team up).
In the German Bundesliga (the German soccer league), Hamburg was relegated and the fans weren’t happy. They weren’t going down without a fight and in protest tried to burn down the stadium. That’ll show them. FEELING HOT HOT HOT