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Semi-pro football player gets bruised but not paid, and that's OK with her

by Indy.com Staff

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Valerie Wydock plays football for the glory. (Walt Winter / The Star)

Indianapolis Chaos women's football team co-owner Calvin Hall helps Valerie Wydock perfect herr skills. She plays defensive end and fullback. (Walt Winter / The Star)

Valerie Wydock has bumps and bruises all over her body. She has a disease, and she wouldn't cure it even if she could. For two years, the 30-year-old public-relations and marketing professional has been addicted to the physical rush and camaraderie that comes from playing football with the Indianapolis Chaos, one of two women's semi-professional teams in the state.

On the field, she practices three days, perfecting her skills as a defensive end and fullback. Outside the lines, she works overtime to help market the team to the public and to raise funds.

And she doesn't even get paid. Top-dollar paychecks don't exist in the National Women's Football Association. In fact, the women pay to play. Yet Wydock and most other players will tell you the experience is priceless. Here, she talks about her girly side and her favorite Colts player:

How did you start playing women's football?

A friend asked me to play, so I decided to give practice a try. I was the girl who asked what the pitchforks at the end of the field were for. ..... Now I have learned the game, and it challenges me mentally and physically. Staying in the game is infectious. The unity of the team is unbreakable.

Who is your favorite football player of all time?

(Indianapolis Colts running back) Joseph Addai. I love the way he moves on a field. It is almost like he is dancing. I admire his ability. I want to be like him.

Have you ever been injured on the field?

Last year I broke both of my pinkies I am bruised the entire season from head to toe. I get funny looks sometimes. People you don't know think you are getting abused because you are a girl with all these bruises.

You obviously like to get down and dirty on game day. How girly are you off the field?

I am more of a jeans and T-shirt girl. But I do own a dress, and I do know how to wear high heels. Some of the girls (on the team) are very feminine, and I don't think football takes away from that. It is important to let that aggressive side out of you. You get us on the field and it is a whole different animal!

Why should guys come and watch a bunch of women play football?

To see what is coming up to challenge them! A lot of guys try to make fun when they hear about it. But if they came and watched, I think they would enjoy it. If nothing else, they get to see women in tight pants.