Author: Shannon O’Toole
ISBN: 0803286252
Fantastic working day Shannon and many thanks for agreeing to take part in our interview.
Thank you for the invitation!
Norm:
Shannon, make sure you convey to our visitors a tiny little bit about your individual and skilled history.
Shannon:
I obtained my master’s degree in sociology at Western Michigan College. My master’s thesis was entitled “Experienced Football Players’ Attitudes Relating Toward Women of all ages and Violence.” When I was 19 yrs previous and participating in softball at Western Michigan College I met John Morton. For the previous 14 many years, John has been involved with professional football. He played for 5 years and now he is a mentor. (In February 2006, he signed a 2-calendar year contract with the New Orleans Saints as their “Passing Match Assistant”). My educational track record combined with my own experience built me incredibly interested in the subject of NFL Women of all ages.
Norm:
How did your Masters diploma in sociology help you with your investigate and in the composing of your guide?
Shannon:
It assisted immensely. It is an fantastic willpower for analyzing social troubles and dynamics. In the ebook I delve into sexism and racism in context to experienced football. Sociology has opened my eyes to societal inequities and injustice and it has molded me into the girl I am right now.
Norm:
What is the fundamental concept or concept of Wedded to the Activity: The Authentic Life of NFL Gals?
Shannon:
The concept is apparent: these females are not the stereotypical shallow, gold-digging, Barbie dolls. They are sharp, solid-willed and opinionated. They are multi-tasking, talented girls who get on and conquer the worries that NFL everyday living throws at them. In truth, they are rough, if not more durable than the men who participate in and coach the sport. The share of women who fit the unfavorable stereotype is likely less than 10 p.c – and these sorts of ladies under no circumstances final for very long. Those people who understand to cope with the NFL’s enormous troubles come to be stubborn, resilient and smart survivors.
Norm:
Do you imagine that the sampling of interviews was sufficient to come to some of your conclusions?
Shannon:
I do, mainly since I was extremely mindful to select women whose encounters ran the gamut of NFL existence. While I spoke with Jackie Rice who is married to All-Everything Jerry Rice, I also interviewed the girlfriend of a rookie free of charge agent who was basically hoping her boyfriend would be on the roster so they would have health insurance at the time of their baby’s beginning. Ultimately, I understood there was an suitable sample when I began to hear the same responses to my numerous issues. We actually are a sisterhood with shared experiences one of a kind to specialist sports activities existence.
Norm:
Why did you come to feel compelled to generate this guide?
Shannon:
To estimate the preface:
When I started my analysis for this e-book I had an ulterior motive. While I have been in the NFL for twelve several years now and I know quite well what this daily life is like, I was also seeking the information and tricky-earned knowledge of ladies who had now observed alternatives to my quite a few considerations. I nevertheless wrestle with the daily life I’ve decided on, and so I wished to know: How do other females offer with the NFL? How do they cope and endure? What are their encounters?
I understood these women of all ages did not in shape the stereotype. I required other people today to know it too.
Norm:
Can you clarify some of your exploration methods, and how you located resources for your guide? I see there is an absence at the conclusion of the e-book of a picked bibliography. Any reason for this omission?
Shannon:
To estimate the preface:
I despatched an anonymous study to in excess of 150 girls and bought back again an remarkable 75 responses. Out of these 75 responses, I chose 30 females to job interview in depth. Their suppliers make up the coronary heart of this guide. About 50 percent were being ready to go on history and allow their names be employed, and about fifty percent wished to remain anonymous. In the original anonymous survey, I requested respondents to possibly “concur strongly, concur mildly, disagree mildly, or disagree strongly” to a myriad of statements with regards to NFL everyday living. These responses kind the foundation of some of my general statements and conclusions about what off-the-field existence is like for girls. Then, above the training course of my 30 one particular-on-one particular interviews, I acquired total, in-depth solutions to these usually complicated, intricate questions.
Concerning the absence of a bibliography, the latest literature on qualified sports activities spouses is nominal. Most of the printed functions are salacious, racy novels that merely serve to perpetuate the unfair stereotypes. My ebook is the only reserve on the market place (that I am conscious of) that is part insiders explain to-all and portion sociological analyze.
Norm:
What obstacles did you have in writing and exploring your reserve?
Shannon:
There have been really few obstacles for the duration of the research procedure. I was astonished by the willingness and the eagerness of the women of all ages ready to discuss about their activities. They wished to talk, not just about the excellent situations, but about some of their most dreadful and unbearable experiences. NFL Gals are virtually universally disregarded by the general public and the media, and what I found out is that they have points to say and they want to be listened to.
My troubles arose in the course of the producing course of action. Right before I started this e-book I was totally naïve about the art of producing. I experienced NO Idea how hard a task it is to produce nicely. Producing very well is a correct ability and I did not have the desired schooling. I lost rely of the selection of main revisions. But I did have a aim to see my identify on a e book include, and I was absolutely and totally identified to reach that target. (I also have a mentor for a partner and he understood all the suitable motivational buttons to thrust!) Like thousands and thousands of writers, my proposal was turned down once more and all over again just before it lastly uncovered a residence at the College of Nebraska Push. And even then, I required the talent of a excellent outside developmental editor, Jeff Campbell in San Francisco. I am without end in his financial debt for the attractive factors he did with my manuscript.
It took me 5 a long time from start of study to the closing completed merchandise. That is a extensive time. But the feeling of self-success that I have correct now, will make every single working day of those people 5 many years effectively value it.
Norm:
How has the comments been so considerably? What are your hopes for this e-book?
Shannon:
From both equally in just and outside the house of the soccer globe, the favorable opinions has been tremendous. Andrew Yardley of the Washington Put up identified as Wedded to the Game an “intelligent, considerate e-book.” Comments from NFL Girls incorporates phrases like, “terrific perception as to what lifetime is definitely like for us” and “priceless data for rookie wives/girlfriends.” The central topic, according to a woman married to a player, “It was comforting to know that although the tales might differ numerous of our experiences are the very same.”
Even girls who are not lovers of the game can relate to lots of of the book’s troubles, such as regular relocation or dealing with a partner’s prolonged several hours – both of those frequent occurrences in present-day American perform society.
At present, I am talking with two television producers who are intrigued in the subject matter of NFL Wives. Check my website for updates on these assignments.
Of system, I hope this ebook carries on to grow in reputation and 1 day reaches the Best Seller Listing . . . with Oprah’s support. (smile)
Norm:
What is up coming for Shannon O’Toole is there everything else you wish to add that we have not lined?
Shannon:
It is my aspiration to employ and aid an NFL Women Mentoring Program. The mission of this method is to lessen the strain and uncertainty, and therefore raise the existence gratification of girls new to the league by formally connecting them with experienced veteran wives/significant many others. In these relationships, veteran NFL Gals offer you information, reply queries, and guidebook their mentees in producing skills and methods for duplicate with the myriad of instances unique to NFL life. I am presently talking with the league office environment alongside with the NFLPA about supplying this software on a league-broad foundation.
In the quick long term, John and I appear forward to helping the people and the animals afflicted by Hurricane Katrina. “Get well, Rebuild, Rebirth” and GO SAINTS!
*Take note: Hurricane Katrina puppies and cats go on to need loving properties. Remember to go to: http://www.petfinder.com to undertake one particular of these deserving animals.