The DC Divas are DC's all-women, all-tackle professional football team. Yes, this really does make…read morethem the female version of the Redskins. The difference is that women's football is rarely recognized as a viable sport, and the support from the NFL and large corporate sponsors has been close to nil. In fact, the Divas used to belong to the "WNFL" division (Women's National Football League, obviously) until the NFL whined and cried, claiming that this name was a trademark infringement and that the women's league would draw attention and fans away from there. Are you SERIOUS? Why couldn't you help elevate women's athletics, NFL? Why you gotta be like that? I still love you, tho...I can't help myself. (Now the Divas are part of the IWFL, or Independent Women's Football League.)
Anyway. The Divas are an incredibly hard-working, dedicated group of women who practice their asses off, play their asses off, and don't get paid a dime to do it. They do it because they. LOVE. football. Period. Their season is Spring/Summer, and their home games are at the great venue of the PG Sports and Learning Complex, directly in the shadow of FedEx Field.
General admin tickets are a complete steal at $12, while military, police, fire, and EMS, as well as seniors and children, receive nice discounts. You can buy your tickets online or at the gate. For $20 you can also purchase VIP tickets which get you 50-yard-line seating in bleachers with backs on the seats, a program, and WAITER service! C'mon, that's cool. Concessions (burgers, fried fish, fries etc) are supplied by a lively and friendly family-run vendor, and beer, wine, and mixed drinks are sold at a separate concession stand. Rita's usually sets up shop, too, y'all!
Other than the food and beverage vendors, all the games are completely staffed by volunteers, from the chain gang, to the merchandise vendors, to the ticket booth. They're mostly good friends and family of players, but some are just die-hard Divas fans. In fact, most of the coaches, team doctors, and trainers are all volunteer as well. Husband and I have been selling tickets at the gate for the past four seasons.
Games are so much fun. I love seeing little kids come through the gate to their first game screaming, with their eyes bugging out of their heads, "Those are GIIIRRRRLS playing?!?!?" Yeah, they sure are, and they're GOOD. They put that other burgundy-and-gold DC football team (who shall remain nameless) to shame. Last year they went to the IWFL Superbowl in Austin, TX, and lost a heart-breaking game but played like champs anyway. They were world champs in 2006, tho!
Please come out and support a wonderful team of women who are passionate about what they do. Bring your kids, your friends, make some noise, drink a beer, storm the field afterwards and meet some players. They love their fans. A lot.