Shannon O’Toole, author of Wedded to The Game & Wife of a NFL Player and Coach interviewed
Author: Shannon O’Toole
ISBN: 0803286252
Good morning Shannon and thank you for agreeing to participate in our interview.
Thanks for the invitation!
Rule:
Shannon, tell our readers a little about your personal and professional experience.
Shannon:
I received my master’s degree in sociology from Western Michigan University. My master’s thesis was entitled “Attitudes of professional footballers towards women and violence”. When I was 19 and playing softball at Western Michigan University, I met John Morton. For the past 14 years, John has been involved in professional soccer. He played for 5 years and is now a coach. (In February 2006, he signed a 2-year contract with the New Orleans Saints as their “Passing Assistant”). My academic background combined with my personal experience made me very interested in the topic of women in the NFL.
Rule:
How did your master’s degree in sociology help you with your research and writing your book?
Shannon:
It helped immensely. It is an excellent discipline for examining social issues and dynamics. In the book I delve into sexism and racism in the context of professional soccer. Sociology has opened my eyes to social inequalities and injustices and has shaped me into the woman I am today.
Rule:
What is the underlying message or theme of Wedded to the Game: The Real Lives of NFL Women?
Shannon:
The message is clear: These women are not the stereotypical, shallow, gold-digging Barbie dolls. They are sharp, stubborn, and stubborn. They are talented, multitasking women who take on and overcome the challenges that life in the NFL presents. In fact, they are tough, if not tougher than the men who play and train the game. The percentage of women who fit the negative stereotype is probably less than 10 percent, and these types of women never last long. Those who learn to deal with the immense difficulties of the NFL become stubborn, resilient, and wise survivors.
Rule:
Do you think the interview sampling was sufficient to reach some of your conclusions?
Shannon:
I do this, primarily because I was very careful to select women whose experiences spanned the gamut of NFL life. While speaking with Jackie Rice, who is married to Jerry Rice, I also interviewed the girlfriend of a rookie free agent who was simply hoping her boyfriend would be on the list so they would have health insurance at the time of their baby’s birth. . Ultimately, I knew there was a proper sample when I began to hear the same answers to my many questions. We truly are a brotherhood with unique shared experiences in professional sports life.
Rule:
Why did you feel compelled to write this book?
Shannon:
To quote the preface:
When I started my research for this book, I had an ulterior motive. Although I have been in the NFL for twelve years and know very well what this life is like, I also sought the advice and hard-earned wisdom of women who had already found solutions to my many concerns. I still struggle with the life I chose, so I wanted to know: How do other women deal with the NFL? How do they manage and survive? What are your experiences?
He knew these women didn’t fit the stereotype. I wanted other people to know it too.
Rule:
Can you explain some of your research techniques and how you found sources for your book? I notice that there is an absence at the end of the book of a selected bibliography. Any reason for this omission?
Shannon:
To quote the preface:
I sent an anonymous survey to over 150 women and got an amazing 75 responses. Of those 75 responses, I chose 30 women to interview in depth. Your stores are the heart of this book. About half were willing to go on record and allow their names to be used, and about half wanted to remain anonymous. In the initial anonymous survey, I asked respondents to “strongly agree, slightly agree, slightly disagree, or strongly disagree” with a large number of statements about life in the NFL. These responses form the basis for some of my general statements and conclusions about what life is like for women off the field. Then, over the course of my thirty personal interviews, I received complete and insightful answers to these often difficult and complex questions.
Regarding the absence of bibliography, the current literature on professional sports spouses is minimal. Most of the published works are lewd and racy novels that simply serve to perpetuate unfair stereotypes. My book is the only one on the market (that I know of) that is in part a sociological study that everyone inside says.
Rule:
What obstacles did you have to write and research your book?
Shannon:
There were very few obstacles during the investigation process. I was surprised by the willingness and enthusiasm of the women willing to talk about their experiences. They wanted to talk, not just about the good times, but about some of their most terrible and excruciating experiences. NFL women are almost universally ignored by the public and the media, and what I found is that they have things to say and want to be heard.
My difficulties arose during the writing process. Before starting this book, I was completely naive about the art of writing. I had NO IDEA how difficult it is to write well. Writing well is a real skill and I didn’t have the necessary training. I lost count of the number of major revisions. But I had the goal of seeing my name on the cover of a book, and I was completely determined to achieve that goal. (I also have a coach as a husband and he knew all the correct motivation buttons to push!) Like millions of writers, my proposal was rejected over and over again before I finally found a home at the University of Nebraska Press. And even then, it needed the skill of a fantastic outside development editor, Jeff Campbell in San Francisco. I will always be indebted to him for the beautiful things he did with my manuscript.
It took me 5 years from the start of the research to the finished end product. That’s a lot of time. But the feeling of self-realization that I have now, makes every day of those 5 years worthwhile.
Rule:
How has the feedback been so far? What are your hopes for this book?
Shannon:
Both inside and outside the world of football, the favorable response has been tremendous. Andrew Yardley of the Washington Post said Wedded to the Game is a “smart and thoughtful book.” NFL Women’s comments include phrases like, “great insight into what life is really like for us” and “invaluable information for rookie wives / girlfriends.” The central theme, according to a woman married to a player, “was reassuring to know that while the stories may vary, many of our experiences are the same.”
Even women who are not fans of the game can relate to many of the problems in the book, such as frequent relocation or dealing with their partner’s long work hours, both common occurrences in today’s American work culture.
I am currently speaking with two television producers who are interested in the NFL Wives topic. Please visit my website for updates on these projects.
Of course, I hope this book continues to grow in popularity and one day make it to the best-seller list. . . with the help of Oprah. (smile)
Rule:
What’s next for Shannon O’Toole? Is there anything else you want to add that we haven’t covered?
Shannon:
My dream is to implement and facilitate an NFL Women’s Mentoring Program. The mission of this program is to decrease tension and uncertainty and therefore increase life satisfaction for women new to the league by formally connecting them with experienced veteran wives / partners. In these relationships, NFL female veterans offer advice, answer questions, and guide their apprentices in developing skills and methods to copy with the myriad unique circumstances in NFL life. I am currently speaking with the league office in conjunction with the NFLPA to offer this program throughout the league.
In the immediate future, John and I look forward to helping the people and animals affected by Hurricane Katrina. “Recover, rebuild, be reborn” and VAMOS SANTOS!
* Note: Hurricane Katrina’s cats and dogs continue to need loving homes. Go to: http://www.petfinder.com to adopt one of these deserving animals.