Tami Engelman was a two-year varsity football player in high school, and even earned the team's Rookie of the Year award in 1999.
She also was a two-year varsity track athlete, competing in the shot put and discus, and she took fourth-place in the state tournament in the shot put after being ranked 28th.
At Western Illinois University, Engelman competed in the shot put, discus, hammer and indoor weight throwand she was a national qualifier in the indoor weight throw as a junior. She was a nine-time medal winner and 2004 team tri-captain.
"I am the oldest of four, the only girl and the only athlete among my siblings," said Engelman, who moved to Chicago in 2010. "After high school, I went on to compete in track and field, [but] felt like my football career was unfinished. I missed [the] competition. I was coaching high school track and field and it just didn't fill the void of personally competing."
Engelman joined the Chicago Force women's tackle football team years ago and is set for her fifth season with the red and black attack in the spring. She sports uniform No. 91 and primarily plays offensive line, with some downs on the defensive line.
"The bonds you build on a football team are like none other," Engelman said. "It takes a special chemistry to compete as one unit and that chemistry you have with your teammates and coaches truly become a second family.
"Winning a national championship [with the Force in 2013], in the fashion our team did, will always be a highlight."
Engelman praised Force coach John Konecki, saying, "He had more confidence in my ability to be a dominate player than I did when I first joined the team. With his tough love and phenomenal coaching, I feel like I am finally understanding my potential on the field."
Off the field, Engelman manages a fitness center for a corporate building, which involves membership enrollment, creation and implementation of fitness and wellness programs, and personal training. She has been at the facility for about five years.
THE STATSAge
31
Neighborhood
Logan Square
Relationship status
Single
Job title
Health and wellness program manager
Nickname
Tam Tam
Hobbies
Travelingin 2013, she went to Austin, Finland, San Diego ( twice ) and Hawaii.
Overcoming obstacles
Rupturing her Achilles tendon during a 2012 game. "The injury itself was not as painful as most people describe, but the surgery and recovery was excruciating. I also pride myself on being a very independent person and during the first month of recovery I had to rely on a lot of people, especially my girlfriend at the time. Realizing that I am not superwoman was a tough life lesson. The personal growth I had during this dark time was amazing."