The Chicago Winds women’s football team has dominated in their first season as a team, making it all the way to the Women’s National Football Conference Playoffs, which happened June 6 against the Mississippi Panthers. The Chicago team, with its Austin roots, lost that game, and their first season has now come to close.
This left them having won five of the seven games they played, which the team’s owner Angelique Smith said was a surprise to some, with the team being in their first year.
“Everyone doubted us in the beginning,” she said. “We were stamped to win only one of our games this first season, and we ended up winning five.”
Smith, a professional football player, grew up in west suburban Bellwood and spent her summers in Austin.
The team’s players have also broken WNCF stats, with quarterback Sarah Teubner throwing the most touchdowns ever in a regular season, wide receiver DaJour Miles setting a new record for receiving yards and touchdowns and linebacker Madeline Violet breaking a record for most tackles.
The team consists of 53 women, all from different walks of life.
“We have mothers to educators to engineers on our team, and it’s inspiring to see them come together and play the most professional level they can athletically,” said Smith.
Defensive end and South Side native Dee Hightower Riley said the team is a family.
“We all have one goal in mind, to just progress and pave a way for women future footballers,” said Riley. “Under the leadership of Allan Williams, our head coach, we have made this season fun, entertaining and definitely challenging.”
Riley, who also played for the city’s previous women’s football team, the Chicago Force, said she has been waiting for this opportunity ever since the Force stopped playing in 2017.
“A lot of us have been waiting for years to come back and play under Chicago, and Angelique gave us that opportunity to do that,” she said.
Chicago has welcomed the team with open arms, with their first game having over 600 people in the stands.
“We sold out on merch. There were big, huge flags for the team that we didn’t even have. The fans got them made,” said Smith.
Mayor Brandon Johnson was also seen attending two Chicago Winds games, rooting along with the rest of the fans.
The team gives back to their fans and their city, participating in a number of volunteer events and with nonprofits across the city, including Bears Huddle, Cradles to Crayons and many more.
In the future, Smith said the team will try to organize girls flag programs on the West Side and South Side of the city.
The team is also working on getting a permanent field to play at and practice at.
“It’s so difficult to secure a field in the city of Chicago. We’re working with the mayor’s office and trying to find us a permanent home,” said Smith.
Looking towards the future, the team is eager to start their second season, get more sponsors and recruit new, and existing, players.
“I have a smile on my face every time I think about and every time I talk about The Chicago Winds,” said Smith.
