We’re sure by now you’ve heard of Lingerie Football and our lovely home team, the Dallas Desire, but you may not know just how hard these gals play. Uniforms consist of helmets, shoulder pads, elbow and knee pads, garters, bras and panties. Can you imagine getting tackled in your undies, your skin dragging across the grass at high speed? Yeah…you try it. We caught up with Dallas Desire QB Linda Brenner to talk about her season, the playoffs and what’s next.
Have you always played sports growing up?
Linda Brenner: Yes. I was definitely a tomboy growing up. I played softball, basketball, ran track & cross-country and played flag football. I also rode dirt bikes and four wheelers. I was into everything. My poor Mom!
Did you have any professional athletes that you looked up to?
Linda Brenner: I liked Bo Jackson growing up. I loved football and baseball and was really into collecting cards. I had every Bo Jackson card (LOL). My Dad was a huge 49ers fan, so I also grew up watching Joe Montana.
Tell us about your Dallas Desire experience…
Linda Brenner: It was one of the best experiences of my life, up until the end. I hate to lose, and losing to LA, a team we had already beat, a team that is not better than us, in the playoffs was devastating. But they played better than us that day and I’m not going to take that away from them. I just can’t wait to play them again! The season was awesome, though. To learn the game of football with 19 other women, some from scratch, from the best coaching staff in the league (all former NFL players) and to be able to build a trust in one another in such a small period of time was awesome. The money wasn’t near what we thought it’d be, but we kept playing, not only for the love of the game, but for each other. Good times and great memories! (Minus the torn ACLs, busted out teeth, broken collar bones, ribs, fingers, whiplash, turf burns, bruises, etc!) I love my team and miss them already!
How much training do you actually do?
Linda Brenner: We trained more than you’d ever believe. Through any weather!! Some of us started training months before the season even started--4 times a week, 3 hours a day. I also had extra QB training on the side. I felt like I couldn’t get enough. Sometimes we’d have 3-a-days! We trained with our coaches and also did speed and agility training at Velocity. We had film study and had to study our playbooks and new plays our coach would come up with all the time…who, by the way, won Coach of the Year. Congratulations to our Head Coach Antuan Edwards!
How was the playoff experience in Florida?
Linda Brenner: The playoff experience was awesome! Florida is beautiful! We ran to the beach and back in the mornings. The venue (Hard Rock Live Arena) was awesome! Media and fans were everywhere. We had a busy schedule. Everything was great and will be even better next year when we host and win the bowl at home in Dallas with all of our fans there!
Several notable female athletes are experiencing success on a professional level like Gina Carano, Laila Ali and Danica Patrick. What’s next for female athletes?
Linda Brenner: I’m hoping the LFL will experience success on a professional level like the ladies named above. I know many people try to discredit the LFL because it’s “lingerie” football and because most of us are models, but don’t let the looks fool you. It’s a marketing tactic. We can’t help that sex sells. We are all great athletes, most of us college athletes, who train hard and play real 7-on-7 smash mouth tackle football! We just happen to look good doing it!
What would you like to do to help women’s sports grow more?
Linda Brenner: Anything I can. I’m all about girl power and anything empowering to women. I’m actually looking into getting involved in or starting a foundation for female athletes. Stay tuned.
What’s next for Linda Brenner?
Linda Brenner: Right now I’m just focusing on my business, Red Paint Promotions. We are having an event on February 27 at Plush hosted by the Dallas Desire. I’m also launching my website www.TheLindaBrenner.com. I have the #1 viewed profile on www.lflus.com, so I figured I might as well start my own. I have some really cool shirts on sale on the site that say, “LINDA B MY FAV QB.” I’m going to do a little traveling and rest my body before I start back up…if I decide to play next season. As much as I loved it and would do it all over again, a few things have to change for me to fully commit myself again.
