Author: Shannon O’Toole
ISBN: 0803286252
Shannon, thank you for participating in the interview.
Thanks for inviting me!
Norm:
Shannon, please share some details about you and your career with our readers.
Shannon:
My master’s in sociology was earned at Western Michigan University. My master’s thesis title was “Professional Football Players’ Attitudes Relating Toward Women and Violence.”John Morton was my 19-year-old self, and I played softball at Western Michigan University. John has been involved professionally in football for the last 14 years. After playing for five years, he became a coach. He signed a two-year deal with the New Orleans Saints in February 2006. “Passing Game Assistant”). Combining my academic experience with personal experiences, I became very passionate about the subject of NFL Women.
Norm:
Your Masters Degree in Sociology helped you in your research as well as in writing your book.
Shannon:
This was a huge help. This discipline is excellent for studying social dynamics and issues. This book examines racism and sexism within the context of professional football. Sociology helped me to see the injustices and inequalities of society and has made me who I am today.
Norm:
Is there a underlying theme or message to Wedded to the Game: Women’s Real Lives in the NFL?
Shannon:
These women aren’t the Barbie dolls of shallow gold-digging and shallow femininity. These women are smart, opinionated and strong-willed. These women are talented, multitasking and capable. They can conquer any challenge that the NFL throws at their way. These women are just as strong, or even more so, than the men playing and coaching the game. It is unlikely that more than 10% of females fall under this negative stereotype. These women rarely last. People who can cope with the NFL’s enormous difficulties are resilient, wise and persistent survivors.
Norm:
Are you sure that your conclusion was reached by the appropriate sampling of interviews?
Shannon:
Because I carefully selected women who had lived the full range of NFL life, I am happy to do so. Jackie Rice is married to All-Everything Jerry Rice. I interviewed her girlfriend, a rookie agent. She was hoping that her boyfriend would join the roster in order to have insurance for their child’s arrival. Once I started hearing the same answers to my many questions, I realized there was enough of a sample. Our shared experience is unique in professional sports.
Norm:
Why were you compelled by the urge to write this book
Shannon:
Let me quote:
The motivation behind my book research was not obvious to me. Although I am a twelve-year veteran of the NFL and have a good understanding of how it is, I also wanted the hard-earned wisdom and advice from women who have already solved many of my problems. The life that I chose is difficult, which led me to seek out advice from other women about the NFL. They are able to survive and cope. How do they cope?
They were different from the norm, I was certain. It was something I wanted to share with others.
Norm:
Could you please explain your research methods and the sources you used to create your book. There is no mention of selected bibliographies at the conclusion of the book. Is there a reason this is so?
Shannon:
Let me quote:
Over 150 women responded to my anonymous survey. I received 75 replies. From the 75 responses I received, 30 women were selected to be interviewed in-depth. These women’s stores are the core of this book. Half were open to letting their name be published and half wanted anonymity. The anonymous initial survey asked participants to answer two questions: “agree strongly, agree mildly, disagree mildly, or disagree strongly”A myriad of statements were made about NFL life. These statements form the basis for some general conclusions and statements regarding what life outside of football is like for women. Over the thirty interviews I had, I was able to get detailed, comprehensive answers to many of these complex, difficult questions.
A lack of bibliography has meant that the literature about professional spouses to sports is sparse. The majority of published books on professional sports spouses are vulgar, violent novels that perpetuate untrue stereotypes. My book (that I’m aware of) is part insiders tale and part sociological research.
Norm:
Which obstacles were you faced when writing or researching your book
Shannon:
During the research, there were few hurdles. The willingness of these women to talk about their experience was astounding. Not only did they want to tell about their good times but also about the most difficult and painful moments. NFL Women are nearly universally ignored by the media. But what I learned is that they do have something to say and want to be heard.
My troubles arose in the course of writing. Before I began this book I was completely naïve regarding the art of writing. I didn’t realize how hard it was to write good books. Writing is an art and requires a lot of training. The number of revisions I had to make was staggering. However, my goal was to have my name printed on a book cover. This goal motivated me to do everything I could to accomplish it. A coach was also a part of my life and knew the best motivational words to use. My proposal, like millions of others, was repeatedly rejected before finally finding a home at University of Nebraska Press. Even then, my proposal was rejected again and again before it finally found a home at the University of Nebraska Press. I had to rely on Jeff Campbell, a brilliant outside editor in San Francisco. For the wonderful things he did for my manuscript, I will always be grateful to him.
I spent five years researching the project and finally finished it in 2005. It was a lot of time. However, the self-fulfillment I feel right now makes it worth every moment of these 5 years.
Norm:
What has been the response so far? How do you see this book?
Shannon:
Both within and beyond the football industry, there has been a lot of positive feedback. Andrew Yardley, Washington Post’s Wedded to the Game columnist “intelligent, thoughtful book.”NFL Women’s Feedback includes words like “great insight as to what life is really like for us” “invaluable information for rookie wives/girlfriends.”According to one woman who was married to a football player, the central theme is “The Greatest Showmanship.” “It was comforting to know that while the stories may vary many of our experiences are the same.”
Even women who don’t like the game may relate to some of its issues. These include frequent relocations and dealing with long working hours.
Right now, I’m speaking to two TV producers about the subject of NFL Wives. Keep checking my website to see updates about these projects.
Naturally, my hope is that this book will continue to gain popularity and eventually reach the Best Seller List. . . With Oprah’s assistance. (smile)
Norm:
Shannon O’Toole: What’s next? Is there something you’d like to say that we’ve missed?
Shannon:
My dream is to create and manage an NFL Women Mentoring Program. By connecting women with veterans wives and significant others, this program aims to ease the stress and anxiety and improve the quality of life for new players to the league. Veteran NFL Women provide advice, answers questions, and help their mentees to develop skills and techniques for dealing with all aspects of NFL life. The league office and the NFLPA are currently in discussions about the possibility of offering the program to all leagues.
John and I are looking forward to the future and helping those affected by Hurricane Katrina. “Recover, Rebuild, Rebirth”Go Saints!
*Note: Hurricane Katrina dogs and cats continue to need loving homes. Please go to: http://www.petfinder.com to adopt one of these deserving animals.