Brittany grew up playing any and everything sports around the neighborhood, at recess, and in city recreation leagues. Once pop warner football sign-ups came around the summer going into fourth grade, her love for organized tackle football began. She played on the boys' team and was the first female to play all throughout high school, earning her varsity letterman junior and senior seasons. Although she was undersized, it didn't matter. She loved being a quarterback and playing the game of football, playing her heart out every practice and game! Her love only grew stronger the day she found women's tackle football in 2005.
F: What are some of the biggest challenges you've overcome in this field?
B: I have faced many challenges in my football career, but the greatest challenge was definitely my ACL injury. I tore my ACL at the beginning of the 2013 season after being selected to the 2013 US National Team and winning the league MVP award in the previous 2012 season. Going into the 2013 season, I felt on top of the world. I was finally being seen for my talents and earning recognition within the league. I was poised to lead our country in the international tournament that summer but that all came to a screeching halt.
I was devastated and lost without football. I had to search for who I was without sports. After the reconstruction surgery and throughout the recovery process, I went through a transformation. I began my career as an educator and coach. I married the perfect woman. We bought a home together and we traveled the world. I gained a level of appreciation and gratitude for life that I had never experienced before. I became a whole person.
F: What is your proudest achievement in this field?
B: My proudest achievement in women's tackle football is probably the amount of growth and maturity I've gained through my injury. I have a level of appreciation and gratitude for playing this game now. It has enabled me to be the best teammate, leader, and quarterback I can be for the Texas Elite Spartans and we are competing for our third IX Cup Championship in a row on June 26th at The Star in Frisco, TX!
F: If you could give one piece of advice to someone who is looking to join your field of work, what would it be?
B: Anyone wanting to become a women's tackle football player in the Women's National Football Conference (WNFC) must be ready to make a commitment, to make sacrifices, and give a lot of their time. To be a successful football player you will need to commit to your team, to fundraising for six months of the year, and possibly more. You will sacrifice family and personal time for your team, for taking care of your body, and to practice perfecting your craft. Women's football is not to a point, yet, where we are getting paid to play the game we love and requires balancing work/career and football. It is a commitment and sacrifice to be great in our league.
To learn more about Brittany, follow her on Instagram @bushmanqb8.
And as always,
Happy Healing!