Fans Tell All

We’re back for the second half of our interview with the lovely Sarah Spain! Enjoy and Happy Holidays to all! Thanks for a great three months of Football 101 Women!

Sarah Spain

Who is the most interesting NFL player you have interviewed? Tell us about it.
Wow, that’s a tough one. Last year I was lucky enough to spend a week in Tampa covering the Super Bowl for MouthpieceSports.com and it was an incredible experience. I did a lot of short interviews with both current and retired players from all over the league, and even got to cover Media Day and talk to a bunch of players from both the Steelers and the Cardinals just a few days before their big game. I spoke to some really interesting guys in Tampa–legends like Mercury Morris, Tony Dorsett and Roger Staubach–but I think my favorite football player to interview is Bears cornerback Peanut Tillman. He’s a fantastic guy with a great sense of humor and he definitely knows how to work it for the cameras. He’s got a future in TV after his career is over, for sure. I did a really funny piece with him where I did a mock tryout for the Bears. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPmh4njOrsI) Because my personal style is relaxed and conversational, my favorite interviews tend to be with funny, laid back guys who are willing to share their personalities with fans. I love to do serious pieces every once in awhile but if given the choice, I’ll always choose to do funny pieces that are more about stories than stats.

You just started a blog on ChicagoNow. Tell us a little about this. Any other plans in the works?
This blog is a ton of fun because I have the freedom to write about whatever I want. Some days I’ll tackle real issues, like the Blackhawks’ salary cap or the backlash to Jordan’s Hall of Fame speech. Other days I’ll get goofy and do Chicago sports look-a-likes or post funny videos. I love that there’s a space for my voice and opinions and I really appreciate the traffic and credibility that come with working for a major player like the Tribune. As for other projects, I’ve got a couple more in the works, but I don’t wanna jinx any. You’ll have to check in with me sometime soon and see if any of them pan out!

What would you recommend to women as first steps for trying to learn the game of football?
I find that the more you know about a sport, the more you like it. This sounds cheesy, but get the book “Football For Dummies.” My older sister played women’s professional football for two years (no joke!) and when she made the team she bought my mom that book. While my mom never became an expert, she definitely learned enough from the book to enjoy watching my sister play. I’d also recommend finding a knowledgeable (and patient) friend who’s willing to sit down and watch a DVR’d game with you, pausing and rewinding and going over the details of the game. My interest in a game definitely improves when I get to know the players involved, too. If you can put a face and a personality with the guys on the field, you’re more likely to pay attention to and care about what they’re doing on Sundays. Go to youtube and look up some interviews, watch some highlight reels and get to know the guys you’re rooting for.

Thanks, Sarah! :)

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