South Florida's Anita Marks
by Linda Brockman
June, 2002--Here we go again, another Jewish woman football player/centerfold.
By day, Anita Marks is known as the Ultimate Sports Chick, when she is part of the "Morning Bullpen" radio show on WINZ (940 AM). On Saturday nights, this 5-foot, 6-inch athlete suits up in her pads, helmet, jersey and chin strap as the quarterback -- yes, quarterback -- of the Miami Fury women's professional tackle football team.
And in September, just in time for the National Football League season, she will pose in Playboy -- minus the jersey, or anything else . . .
As a member of the Independent Women's Football League (IWFL), the Miami Fury has already won its first two home games against Orlando and Tampa at the Orange Bowl. The exhibition team will travel to Tampa this weekend to play the Tampa women's team again.
There are two remaining home games: June 22 against Tennessee and June 29 against Atlanta. the first game of the Fury's inaugural season, Marks suffered a major knee injury that kept her out for the entire season. Last year, she had reconstruction surgery on both knees. During the second season, she didn't feel able to give 100 percent.
This year, though, is different.
"I'm feeling very good, very strong and my knees are great," said Marks, who is also a personal trainer. "I'm looking for big things to happen for me. I've never felt better physically."
IN HER BLOOD
So how does a nice Jewish girl get started playing football?
"I've been playing football my whole life," said Marks, who now lives in Coconut Grove. "I grew up in South Dade neighborhoods filled with boys playing football. I love the sport and I love the game."
Her father, Ned Marks, was a star tailback and cornerback on the University of Miami's football team.
"He was a strapping, handsome man and somewhat arrogant," Marks said about her father, an architect who died five years ago. "He was a superstar."
Back then, her father experienced some anti-Semitism, but for Marks, her faith has never been an issue in the game.
THE OTHER JEWISH QUARTERBACK
She is doing endorsements for ChampionLyte sports drink, along with another
professional Jewish quarterback, Jay Fiedler.
"A city with two Jewish quarterbacks? It's the first time ever, and it's pretty unique," she said.
Marks, 32, said people always want to make a shidduch (match up) between the two athletes. Alan Posner, the CEO for ChampionLyte, even invited both of them to his Passover Seder.
"I had a dream about Jay Fiedler," Marks told her co-host on her 7-9 a.m. radio program. "We were at Alan Posner's house for Seder. And I leaned over and whispered in Jay's ear and said..." She pauses to increase the anticipation, then purrs, "Pass me the gefilte fish."
EVENING THE SCORE
Compared to WIOD and WQAM's AM morning shows, WINZ has the largest number of
women listeners, according to Marks, who has a degree in broadcasting.
"It isn't your average sports talk show.... When they found out I was doing Playboy, the guys reacted to it. Both men and women enjoy hearing a female who knows football, and who is honest and opinionated. Plus, men and women have different views in all categories of life. I can offer the girl's side."
At Sunset Senior High in Miami, Marks played powder-puff football and was quarterback for the women's intramural flag football team at the University of South Florida in Tampa.
The Fury is one of the top teams in the IWFL, Marks said. Women's professional football has all the same rules as the NFL, the only difference is the smaller size of the ball. Marks said most players make $100-500 a game, depending on their position.
In the future, Marks would like to see herself covering Monday Night Football, like TV sports reporters Melissa Stark and Bonnie Bernstein.
While she doesn't think she is changing views on women in sports, she hopes she can open some eyes. Her photo spread might help.
"It's very tastefully done," Marks said about her upcoming, seven-page pictorial. "It's really cool and there are some very artistic shots."
Even her mother and grandmother approve.
"It's a great time to be female, especially an athletic female," Marks said. "It's a great time for women in sports, with the WNBA (women's basketball) and WUSA (women's soccer). I feel privileged that I am part of trying to make this happen, whether it succeeds or fails. I think this is the first time so many women across the country have really put a lot of money and time and effort into making this happen."
Team owner Lisa McAllister tried out to play last year and bought the team instead. Now she is trying to spread the word about a league many people don't know about.
McAllister hopes Marks' visibility will help.
"She is a great asset to our team, on and off the field," said McAllister, who speaks to schools, hoping to get girls interested in playing football. "Anita is a great role model and a great athlete. People think women can't play football, but I have the proof. A woman can take a hit just like a man."
Reprinted from the Miami Jewish Star Times
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