Keesha Brooks helps people and hurts peopleand does both very well, though not on/in the same field.
Brooks spent her seventh season this year as an offensive guard for the Chicago Force, a tackle football team that has shined in the Women's Football Alliance (WFA).
"The Force is a lot of fun. I get to hit people and knock 'em out. It's like legalized assault," she said, smiling. "When I first started with the team, I took it as a challenge. I never thought I'd be able to do it and didn't think I was big enough.
"But I love football, especially the contact [element] of the sport."
She is a Chicago Bears fan, and also has cheered for the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ersmostly because of its former start wide receiver, Jerry Rice.
Brooks' playing highlightat least as of this interview, which was done before the Force played its first playoff game this seasonwas the 2008 championship game loss.
"I'm very optimistic for the 2012 team. I don't think there's a team out there that can stop us," Brooks said.
Brooks' day job involves recruiting foster parents and more, a gig she's had for about 18 years. She started as an outreach worker with troubled kids and gang members. She then became a social worker. She now works with 15 or 20 kids per week, every week, from infants to 18 year-olds and some even as old as 24.
"It's [a] rewarding [job], but also taxing," said Brooks, who often has to endure abuse cases and deaths.
There also have been memorable moments over the years, such as the youngster she met while an outreach worker. She ultimately graduated from high school and college and, years later, thanked Brooks for, "not allowing me to fall through the cracks," according to Brooks.
Brooks also tells of the male she worked with who went on to Cornell University, despite a troubled home life.
"Sports are my whole life; I relate it to everything I do," Brooks said. "I always want the kids [I work with] to go to [Force] games, especially girls, so they know about another opportunity in their lives."
Brooks said her agency will be starting a program for LGBT youth, especially homeless youth.
THE STATS
Age: "I'm legal."
Nickname: Taz
Job title: Licensing representative/social worker, Unity Parenting & Counseling
Hobbies: Martial arts and real estate
Favorite professional teams: Chicago Bears and Chicago Bulls
Little-known fact: "I'm quiet, like to keep to myself. Even my [football] teammates might be surprised at that."
Favorite pro athletes: Magic Johnson and Ray Lewis