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#85 Tara Stephenson, Wide Receiver Stephenson Looking to Lead in Her Fifth Year as a Diva Ask any professional football player what his or her individual goal is for a season and you might expect to hear one of a handful of answers. Typically, the list includes: breaking a particular record; making fewer mistakes; or reaching a certain benchmark. Ask D.C. Diva Wide Receiver Tara Stephenson that question, however, and you’ll get none of the above. Stephenson has a different individual goal in mind for the 2010 season.
Leadership might be a new calling for Stephenson – or as her fellow players know her, “Stevie” – but playing competitive sports is not. The 2010 campaign marks Stephenson’s fifth season with the Divas. Prior to her career on the gridiron, she also played volleyball and ran track on the Division I collegiate level. Sports, it seems, runs in the family. Stephenson has a sister and brother who ran track and played football respectively during their college days. Today, Tara Stephenson is a busy woman on and off the field. When she’s not running routes in a #85 D.C. Divas jersey, she can be found running between two demanding jobs and furthering her education. More specifically, she serves as a restaurant manager for Potbelly Sandwich Works, operates her own business, and is pursuing a Masters Degree in Business Administration. When it comes to discussing last year’s close-but-no-cigar finish for the Divas, Stephenson is candid about the disappointment but hopeful for the team’s return to the center stage. “My worst memory (as a Diva) would be losing the championship game in 2009,” she said. “We had come so far from where we were just a season ago, and it was like it was ours for the taking. But things happen for a reason, and I'm confident that we'll have our shot at the title again.”
“My (former) qb, Allyson Hamlin, gave it to me because there was another Tara on the team that played the same position,” Stephenson added. “Since she had been there longer than I had, Ally (Hamlin) decided that I needed a nickname. So she started calling me 'Stevie' and the name just stuck because everyone thought it was perfect... I like to think of 'Stevie' as my alter ego. I only go by that name during the season because then I think that I take on a completely different personality. 'Stevie' is a little bit more cocky and talkative than Tara.” Not sure about Tara, but it sounds like “Stevie” is ready to hit the field! Opposing defenses might want to take note. by Duke Hipp
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“The
goal that I think would be most beneficial for me and the team this year
is for me to become a better leader,” said Stephenson. “We
have people retire every year so eventually we need other people to assume
leadership positions, and I can’t keep hiding from being a leader
on this team. So that’s my goal: be a leader!” 
And
what about that “Stevie” nickname?