In an eyebrow-raising event, Texas A&M’s football program hosted a presentation aimed at women, which turned out to be a rather misguided attempt at engagement. The $80-per-person event, dubbed “Chalk Talk for Women,” was led by assistant coaches Mike Johnson and Tom Williams, who seemingly underestimated the intelligence of their audience.
The event’s premise was that women needed a simplified version of football, with the coaches even rewriting the school’s fight song to make it more relatable. One particularly cringeworthy line went, “We are Aggie women. We are filled with estrogen.” This tone-deaf approach implied that women are somehow less capable of understanding the complexities of the sport. Another line suggested, “We are putting down our dish towels and taking off our gloves,” reinforcing outdated stereotypes about women’s roles.
To add insult to injury, the presentation included slides that attempted to explain football concepts through overly sexualized language. One slide read, “Get erect. Stay erect. Bang him hard,” which surely left many attendees bewildered and offended. As someone with little interest in football, I would have appreciated a more informative and respectful approach to learning about the sport, rather than this inappropriate display.
Attendee Sarah Jenkins expressed her disappointment, stating, “I expected a fun and informative experience but was met with a tone of condescension.” Many women in the audience shared her sentiments, feeling that the event fell short of its goal and instead perpetuated stereotypes.
In the wake of the backlash, the coaches involved received a two-week suspension without pay and will also be engaging in community service. However, a more constructive solution would be for them to enroll in some of Texas A&M’s Women and Gender Studies classes, allowing them to gain a better understanding of their audience.
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In summary, the Texas A&M football program’s attempt to engage women through a condescending and outdated lens backfired, highlighting the need for sensitivity and respect in all educational settings.
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