Spotlight on: Jacquelyn “Jackie” Farmer
By Jasmine Rogers
This profile was written in 2012.
Today the spotlight is on offensive tackle Jacquelyn “Jackie” Farmer. Farmer comes to the D.C. Divas from the Atlanta Xplosion, where she was a member of the 2011 IWFL championship team. A native of Maryland, Farmer is happy to be back home, playing for the Divas and representing her hometown.
This mother of four and former standout college athlete draws her inspiration from her children. In fact, watching her children compete in their various sports is why she got into football in the first place.
Spotlight on: Jacquelyn “Jackie” Farmer
What football teams have you played for?
I have played for the Atlanta Xplosion in 2011 and now the D.C. Divas in 2012.
What is your favorite football moment?
Last year, my team, the Atlanta Xplosion, won the IWFL championship. It was my favorite memory, because while playing women’s football, you face adversity from the people around you, your family, your friends, the media, and opposing teams. It was a struggle for me. Some people in my family told me that I couldn’t do it, I shouldn’t do it, and never came out to support me…and then you know other teams talk trash! It’s the nature of the game. As an individual and as a team, we all struggled and worked so hard to get there. But for me, it was bittersweet. It marked my first league championship win in women’s football, but it was also the last time I would be playing with those wonderful women who fought so hard with me and for me.
What did it feel like to win the championship with Atlanta?
Life-changing, bittersweet, surreal, exhilarating!
What was your biggest adjustment to football?
The pads. In all of the sports I have played, uniforms were minimal so that you can maneuver and sweat less. Football equipment constricts. I am not upset about that…it is there for a reason and I am grateful! It’s just heavy and hot.
What is your biggest challenge and what do you do to manage this challenge?
My biggest challenge is my mind. No matter how good we win or how bad we lose, I fight myself on what I could have done better. I should have stayed lower, I should have run faster, I should have gotten off the ball faster…my challenge is to remember once the play is over that it’s over and focus on the many plays to come.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
My children. They are my life! Everything I do is for them.
Looking back, what advice do you wish someone would have given you about football?
There are two things I wish someone would have told me about football before. The first is that I wish someone would have told me how much fun it is. I would have tried my hardest to play it years ago! The second is that I wish someone would have told me how bad it feels as a left tackle to have your quarterback sacked. The first time that happened to me…well, let’s just say it will never happen again!
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I love Harry Potter!
About Jacquelyn “Jackie” Farmer
Name: Jacquelyn Farmer
Age: 32
Hometown: Waldorf, MD
Educational Background: Associate’s degree in general studies
Profession: Maintenance Administrative Assistant
Years Playing Football: 2
Sports Participated in: Basketball, Volleyball, Softball (high school and college)
Total Years in Sports: 23
