Angelique M.L. Smith, a rookie with the Chicago Force, laughs when asked about her sporting superstitions.
"On game days, I wear the same superhero undies that read 'Super Powers' and display some of my favorite heroes like Flash and Batman," she said.
Smith, 30, who lives in Oak Park and works as a mail carrier in Northbrook for the U.S. Postal Service, is a defensive end for the Force who also plays on special teams. An out lesbian who is currently dating, Smith was born in Oakland, Calif., yet has lived in the Chicago area on and off for over 20 years.
In fact, she attended Proviso West High School in Hillside, where she played basketball, tennis and softball. She then attended Colorado State University, where she played basketball.
She played two seasons (2009-2010) for the Southern California Breakers, a women's tackle football team. And, in 2010, she was chosen as a member of the 2010 Team USA squad that played for the Women's World Championship in Sweden, "but [I] ended up not taking the journey [and] that definitely is a regret of mine."
She's driven for a national championship this summer alongside her Force family.
"After leaving California and the Southern California Breakers, I felt that I had some unfinished business on the field and wanted to get back out there," she said. "Joining the Chicago Force was a no-brainer; I get the opportunity to represent the best city in the world, my hometown. I think I'm still living a dream.
"No matter what's going on during the weekthe good, the bad or the uglyI always know that the same dedicated owners, staff and players will be there with the same mission week after week, to get better."
Especially since the Force also has helped Smith off the field.
"My biggest joy [from] joining the Force would definitely be the relationships and bonds [that have] developed throughout this season," she said. "The Force is definitely my second family and my band of sisters has helped me get through some really tough times this year. With the help of family, friends, my 'Band of Sisters' and Force staff, I overcame the end of a four-year relationship [and] two-year engagement."
The Force resumes playoff action on Saturday, July 13, playing host to Atlanta. Game time at Lazier Field on the campus of Evanston Township High School is 6 p.m.
Smith was the Women's Football Alliance's "Player of the Week" during Week 1 of the season, with six tackles for a loss and two sacks. She also was named to the 2013 All-American Team (2nd team).
"Angel provides our defense with dominant play coming off the edge," said Force owner/general manager Linda Bache. "She can use her quickness and strength to get into the backfield and create problems for opposing offenses. She is at the top of the tackle chart in the league for tackles for a loss, so she is very adept at getting upfield, creating penetration and making the play. Angel is an impact player for us and opponents have to adjust their game plan to account for her skill set.
"I love having Angel on the team. She's not just a great player, she's also a great teammate."
And also proud to represent the LGBT community.
"Having so much LGBT representation on the Force is great especially for the community," Smith said.