It didn’t bother Seattle Mist coach Chris Michaelson that his team is rated No. 10 out of 10 teams in the Lingerie Football League, heading into his team’s Aug. 27 season opener at the ShoWare Center in Kent.
“That’s fine,” Michaelson said in a phone interview Aug. 16. “Last year we were ranked eighth or ninth and ended up third. I don’t worry about that. I’d rather be 10th than No. 1 because opponents will take you lightly because they think you’re the worst team in the league and won’t hit the gas as much.”
Despite the Mist’s lowest ranking on the LFL Web site at www.lflus.com, Michaelson expects his team of female athletes to provide plenty of entertainment when it plays defending champion Los Angeles Temptation at 9 p.m. on ShoWare turf. The Mist play the Chicago Bliss Oct. 8, in their only other ShoWare Center game.
The Mist, who had a 3-1 record last year, are back in Kent for the second season of the LFL. The league features scantily clad women playing seven-on-seven, tackle football on a 50-yard field. They play 17-minute halves. Each offense features a quarterback, center, two running backs and three receivers.
The players wear helmets with clear face shields, shoulder pads, sports bras, panties, elbow and knee pads. The uniform numbers of each player are stamped on the back of the panties and front of the sports bra.
“The energy is unbelievable,” said Michaelson, who coaches the team along with Rob Long. “The girls give everything they’ve got with minimal padding and protection.”
League officials emphasize the players are beautiful but also athletic.
“The initial draw is lingerie football with hot girls who play football,” Michaelson said. “But the draw is the good play. We run complex routes. You will see plays that are well orchestrated.”
Kent crowds got involved in the two home games last year by cheering the hard tackles by the Mist.
“They come out and hit,” Michaelson said. “This is not powder puff or flag football. They do not draw plays in the huddle. It’s organized. You will see football.”
The Mist return only three players from last season. Michaelson expected to have six returning players, but job commitments, injuries and other factors took away players.
Seattle lost star running back Katie Ryckman and quarterback Lindsey Blaine from last year’s team because of job promotions for each of the women, Michaelson said.
Other players, however, are expected to shine for the Mist.
Natasha Lindsey, 26, will start at quarterback. She saw some action last year at quarterback and will trigger the offense. Lindsey is a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School in the Federal Way School District.
“She’s got good command of the offense and knows the playbook inside and out,” Michaelson said. “She does not have a big arm, but she’s pretty accurate.”
Receivers Amanda Brace and Jessica Hopkins are two players who could excel for the Mist. Brace and Hopkins also play defensive back.
“She (Brace) will be a force in this league,” Michaelson said. “Jessica is a little bit of a speedster with great hands.”
Two other players to watch include running back/linebacker Kam Warner and linebacker Danika Brace, Amanda Brace’s sister.
The league heard from a few critics last year because of league’s emphasis on women playing in essentially sporty lingerie, with lots of skin. Michaelson has heard the criticisms, but said he believes the skill of the players is just as important.
“I know some people think lingerie football is a negative for women but I beg to differ,” he said. “That is the initial sell and draw with the goal to put out a sexy brand and good product. But it’s not trashy or sleazy. There’s no nudity. Some girls grab panties but that’s not the intent. There are fines for girls who use clothing to tackle.”
The coaches have run as many as three practices a week to prepare the Mist for the season opener.
“The players are all athletic and physical,” Michaelson said. “The people who doubt it, I ask them to come out to a game and judge. If they have not attended a game, they should not judge.”
If you go
What: Seattle Mist vs. L.A. Temptation, lingerie football
When: 9 p.m. Aug. 27, tailgating starts at 5 p.m.
Where: ShoWare Center, Kent
Cost: $85, $55, $45, $30, $15
Tickets: www.showarecenter.com
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