SLAM WIN LEADS TO OKLAHOMA
by Linda
Briggs-Harty
June 22, 2007
When customers at Fantastic Sam's in Kirkwood see the flyer promoting the SLAM
team's schedule at Jocelyn Merriweather's workstation, they think it's a joke.
"Women's full contact football?" they ask incredulously.
Merriweather, one of the players on the St. Louis-based SLAM, puts down her comb
and scissors, casts a serious eye and quips, "I play on the team." Customers
wilt a bit and act docile. "Oh, how wonderful," they say.
A powerfully built 5-foot, 8-inch, Kirkwood native, Merriweather (known on the
team as "J-Rock") said she's every bit as serious about playing football as
giving a good haircut or shampoo.
Her long-time friend and fellow Kirkwood High School graduate, 6-foot-tall Tanya
Rodman ("T-Rod" at football practice), belongs to the team as well. The two —
one dark and one fair-haired — make an imposing pair when they're together.
On the field, watch out!
Merriweather and Rodman, who've played offensive left tackle and right guard for
the last two years, have helped the SLAM win seven of eight games this season.
That record has landed the team in second seed position in the play-offs for
their league, part of the National Women's Football Association's (NWFA)
northern-southern conference.
The various divisions within NWFA include over 40 teams throughout the country.
The remaining play-offs and final championship game are out of town.
"I'm really excited about the play-offs," said Merriweather. "We've worked hard
to get here."
"Everyone's on the same page in both offense and defense. Each year our skill
level has gotten better and better," said Rodman. "A couple of women want to
retire from the team, but they refuse until we win the championship."
The odds are good for a win.
This past weekend, the SLAM beat the Oklahoma City Lightning 7 to 0, which
capped six straight wins in a row. The SLAM had never beaten the powerhouse
Lightning, last year's runner-up for the championship.
In addition to solid players like Merriweather and Rodman, the SLAM line-up
includes league standouts: Liz Lacy is ranked third among quarterbacks, Kelly
Kozlen is third for tackles and Laure Gelis-Diaz (Frenchy) is third for
interceptions.
Merriweather and Rodman embrace the games with an understandably competitive
air.
"Last year, they benched me when I injured my shoulder. No way can I sit on the
sidelines when I'm supposed to be out playing," Merriweather said.
Her father, Johnathon Merriweather, a former football star at Kirkwood High
School and a football scholarship recipient at Mizzou, coached for the SLAM up
to this year.
Merriweather's uncle, Johnnie Nelson, also a college football player, currently
acts as an assistant coach for the team.
It was Nelson who told Merriweather a couple of years ago about try-outs for the
SLAM. Merriweather in turn told Rodman, and the two tackled the new sport with
gusto.
"I was intimidated by all these strong, fast women at first. But when I got to
know them, they were friendly and helpful about the game," Merriweather said.
The SLAM's general manager, Inge Metcalfe, said Merriweather and Rodman mastered
the mechanics of football with aplomb.
"It's difficult to learn. They caught on quickly and ended up starting their
first year," Metcalfe said.
Merriweather was a tomboy growing up. She'd wrestle with guy friends in the
living room and stay active with Rodman, her best friend since third grade. She
played basketball in middle school.
Merriweather's two younger brothers, J.R. and Zac, are football players and some
of Merriweather's greatest fans. J.R. played football while attending Kirkwood
High School. Zac played this past year at Kirkwood High School but gave up the
sport after breaking an ankle.
Her mother, Mary Merriweather, comes to every home game and offers discounted
massages to weary players at her spa, Body Options, in North County.
Like Merriweather, Rodman had active interests from day one. One of nine
children, she played varsity basketball all four years at Kirkwood High. Now she
works 60 to 70 hours a week as a district manager for Hardee's Restaurant.
With support from her sports-loving boss, she somehow finds the time to attend
two practices a week and play games on most Saturday nights during football
season, which runs from early spring until June. In the off season, she plays
flag football in Forest Park and basketball at a school off Ladue Road.
Merriweather and Rodman defy the notion that only men can play tackle football.
Some months ago, Merriweather relished watching a gender bowl on the Internet
sponsored by the NWFA. The men had no idea at the outset they were to play
women, Merriweather said. They were upset at first but got into the game with
bravado.
"They thought they'd whomp the women. While they ended up winning, it was only
by one touchdown," Merriweather said.
Both Merriweather and Rodman love the hard-hitting nature of football. They like
the camaraderie with their fellow players most of all.
"We're a sisterhood. I love everyone on the team," Merriweather said.
It's comforting to have such a brawny band behind them: several women are
6-foot, 4-inches. Some are smaller. "But those little girls hit hard," said
Rodman.
In their professional lives, SLAM players run the gamut from personal trainers
to police officers, social workers, teachers and scientists. They must be over
18 to play, but many are well into their 30s and 40s. Previous experience
playing football isn't necessary, though athletic prowess is preferred.
Merriweather and Rodman concede the sport can be costly. Since the team is still
building a sponsor base, players cover some equipment needs personally.
But both go the extra mile for the sport they love.
"It's the opportunity of a lifetime," said Rodman "You get to hit people and not
get in trouble."
"Great way to relieve stress," said Merriweather.
She said other women should give it a try. "It's fun to be part of something so
powerful."