TOLEDO, Ohio – Former members of the historic Toledo Troopers professional women’s football team reconvened this fall at Glass City Metropark, near the Waite High School field where they once competed, to celebrate a legacy that still inspires the community.
Championship pedigree and personal sacrifice
Between 1971 and 1979, more than 80 women suited up for the Troopers, a pioneering team that dominated a sport traditionally dominated by men. The squad captured seven world championships in a ten‑year span, a record that still stands in women’s football history.
Former player Joey Opfer recalled the grueling schedule that balanced work, family and football. “I would go to school in the morning, come home, go to practice, come back home and try to get some sleep and then work at UPS overnight,” she said. Jackie Allen‑Jackson, a single mother of two at the time, added, “I didn’t believe they’d choose me to be on the team because I knew nothing.” Both women emphasized how the team became a second family, likening the bond to a sorority.
Enduring friendships
“You’ve got your job, your family and football. After practice, we’d get together, and you became friends. We’d get together just to cook,” Allen‑Jackson explained. The camaraderie extended beyond the gridiron; many former players still reside in Toledo and meet regularly to share memories and support one another.
“It is like being in a sorority. They are my sorority sisters. We are always there for each other,” Allen‑Jackson said, underscoring the lasting impact of those relationships.
Honoring the Troopers in the cityscape
A bench in International Cove now bears the team’s name, and a public sculpture is under development, slated for completion by next fall. The monument aims to cement the Troopers’ place in Toledo’s cultural heritage and inspire future generations of female athletes.
“We were proud to be from Toledo. Really proud,” Opfer affirmed, noting that the team’s story remains a point of civic pride.
Documentary brings the story to a wider audience
Earlier this year, the documentary “We Are The Toledo Troopers” premiered, offering a comprehensive look at the team’s formation, triumphs, and the societal barriers they overcame. Local viewers praised the film for shedding light on a forgotten chapter of Ohio sports history.
The reunion and upcoming sculpture underscore how the Troopers’ legacy continues to shape Toledo’s community spirit, reminding residents that perseverance, teamwork, and faith in one’s hometown can break new ground.
Original reporting: 13abc WTVG Toledo (news) — read the source article.
