Night Shift Hero

Meet Dan Wilkes, a three time champion of the San Francisco Gay Flag Football League regular season.  He plays center, and protects the quarterback to make sure the offense can do their job and score.  But, today, he takes the time out to be interviewed after his overnight shift as a pediatrics psych nurse at a hospital in San Francisco.  

Dan shared he first wanted to become a nurse because he genuinely wants to help people both from a physical and a mental place.  He struggled at a younger age with depression, anxiety and a compulsive disorder that crippled him through his early years.  When he overcame those struggles, he committed to helping others through the same pain he experienced, and used it help others through the healing process as well.  Dan stated, "The more I studied, the more I became interested in the psychology behind helping people."  

Dan has worked in his profession for the last 10 years.  At the time of this interview, he had just finished a 12 hour night shift of monitoring and protecting youth that are in the psychiatric ward for a hospital.  These youth are either a danger to harm themselves, harm others, or gravely disabled from their mental health.  Dan's job is to monitor and respond to any crisis throughout the night and figure out what kind of therapeutic treatment they would need.  His responsibility can range from administering medication to caring for physically violent patients.  Having to maneuver those situations where a patient is being violent towards others can be very difficult when you’re striving to ensure the mental and physical safety of the staff and the patients, including the patient that is violent.  

COVID-19 has added an extra layer of caution and stress on Dan's job, as well as his colleagues, because children and youth have clinically shown less symptoms of the virus.  Dan and his colleagues need to handle patients with extra sensitivity to potential exposure, but also to continue to respond to the mental health cases through social distancing with other nurses and doctors as well.  When patients are transported in from an ER or another part of the hospital, there is a very real risk that the patient has been exposed to COVID-19, while still struggling with one of the darkest moments of their young lives.  

Dan says that he is fortunate that he has access to PPE, and the hospital is doing a great job at providing the PPE, which the hospital and government officials require him to wear during his shifts.  He also shared that during his shifts, most patients are in isolation, and thus, the spread of the virus can be contained better in the psychiatric ward.

"COVID-19 has certainly added extra anxiety and uncertainty to many of our lives.  Often mental health is stigmatized so people don’t open up, and it is more important than ever to recognize how you are feeling."  Dan emphasized that checking in on people matters, and sending a quick text or phone call could make an impact on someone when they are feeling alone.  "Those people that seem 'Happy go lucky' but you have no idea the story behind people.  People, by and large,  enjoy hearing from people."  

Dan shares that along with hearing from people, he is missing his flag football family as well.  "Of course I miss football," Dan shares.  Dan played football during his youth, and when continuing to play, while discovering his identity of being gay in High School, decided to stop playing Football because he was worried about the locker room cultures, and being made fun of.  He walked away from football, not knowing when he would return.  

In his adult life, he found football again through the San Francisco Gay Flag Football League, and decided to give it another go, and realized that there was a community for him, and he could be himself and still enjoy the sport he once loved.  He has completed three seasons in the SFGFFL, and believe it or not, his team has won the championship every season he has played.  "I'm pretty sure it wasn't because of me" he shares, but he says he was extremely fortunate to be surrounded by really great people.  He was even looking forward to attending his first Gay Bowl this year in Hawaii before it was cancelled.  "I was really disappointed, but I understand why.  Hopefully another time I can go to a Gay Bowl"  

He shares that the city of San Francisco has a very diverse culture around gender, and sexuality, and he feels the SFGFFL represents those values as well, and supports all members no matter who they are, and can play without the fear of being called names or being made fun of, and can focus on connectivity and acceptance.  

He shared to people who are missing sports and staying home right now, "The might be a lot of confusion, cynicism but remember that roughly 99% want the same things, and do good and help each other" and added "let’s keep faith in each other and get through this together."  He said that people could text or call their friends and family, or hop on a zoom game night with friends, to care and reach out to each other.  Also exercise or take long walks with masks on for self care as well.  It's more important than ever to watch out for reach other and yourself right now.  Dan shared that we should all "assume the best" in each other, and together we can get through these difficult times.  

We would like to thank all of our Health Care workers across the league that are helping all of us get through these tough times.  Thank you so much for everything you do, and we can thank you enough for your dedication to keeping us healthy.  We are so proud to be part of your community on and off the field.  

Dan we are grateful for all you do.  You are a champion, both on and off the field.  

For anyone struggling with mental health, or if you might know someone that needs help, National suicide prevention lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

Flying high, saving lives.

Flying high, and saving lives.  

Meet Kirsten "Davis" Commins, player in DGLFFL, and a Gay Bowl champion of the Denver Mile High Club team.  But today, she is flying in helicopters or planes saving children's lives.  She works as a flight nurse for the Children's Hospital Colorado emergency response team and is dispatched by flight to save lives to the most gravely injured or ill children.  In this new normal of COVID-19 era, Kirsten has had to take extra percussion to do her job.  She shares the point that many might have heard in the news that "COVID-19 isn't affecting children in a way that it is impacting adults, but also it is making extremely difficult to know if a child we are saving is asymptomatic or not, so we have to be really careful when helping kids."  Because of the nature of her role as a flight rescue, every call she is dispatched for is a critical life saving mission.  Either from a hospital to another hospital, or an immediate transport to a hospital to save a life.  

Like many medical and heath care professionals across the country, Kirsten commits to compassion and care to keep her drive.  Although Kirsten shares that the hospital is fortunate that there is a good supply of PPE available to protect her, her role as a flight nurse and the need to use a helmet or communication equipment sometime prevent her from being able to use and secure the masks or protection gear.  

 
"I have to be extra careful when I come home and make sure I wish my uniform right away and make sure I am not contaminating anything else."  Because she works with children from across the state that interact with various family members of all ages, she realizes the risk and have to always make sure she is doing her best to protecting herself while saving the children's lives  "I see kids at one of their most darkest or scariest moments of their lives, and it's my job to do my best to make sure they receive the best and fastest care possible."

She says that she is always have to put things into perspectives.  "You make the situation what you can.  People are going through a lot of stressors, health, job loss, and so many major things in life." She says she can apply what she learns from her job in her everyday life.  She says that looking at her family or friends, she can emphasize with their situations in a way that can support them in ways she has been trained to do.  She also shows empathy to folks that need it in a way that can be helpful during this difficult time.  

Because she has been trained through crisis moments, she says she can understand what people are going through.  She says that people being stressed or scared, is a valid feeling, and being able to talk about things with their family or chosen family is extremely important.  She shared "Stay strong, we are all doing the best we can, everyone’s dealing with someone, and please reach out to friends and family."  

Kirsten said that the DGLFFL and MHC family has been an extremely important part of her life, and even though the Spring 2020 season was cancelled, she is still able to keep in touch thought virtual happy hours, or virtual bingo, right from her living room in pajamas and sweats.   

Kirsten became slightly more emotional when she shared that in February when her engagement with her fiancé ended, it was her MHC family that came to her to support her during some of her most difficult moments.  "Going through a lot in life, and going through a heartbreak, and my DGLFFL family has supported me more than ever, and the connection and the unite has been one of the greatest support ever."  She reflects that she is extraordinary grateful to have the DGLFFL in her life, and arguably one of the most important aspects of her life at the moment. 

She like everyone misses playing flag football with her DGLFFL family, but she realizes the importance of having patience and staying as safe as she possibly can during this process.  She shared “Stay patience, the only way we can put an end to this is with social distancing.  It might not be you that gets sick, but you have to think about all the people around you.”  

Speaking of all the people around you, Kirsten, your MHC friends wanted to share some thought with you.  

Kirsten, thank you for all of your dedication to keeping so many children and their families safe and responding to their emergencies.  Our health care workers are our heroes during this time and we couldn't thank you enough for your dedication and care during this really important time.  

Thank you.  

Compete.  Connect.  Unite.  

If you would like to recognize a Health Care Professional or someone that is making a big difference in the community in the next 2 Minute Drill, please contact otiz@ngffl.com and we would be happy to highlight their amazing work.  

Cancelled for a season, but united for a reason. The LA Story.

Still Going Strong.

The Los Angeles Flag Football (LAFF) League had the biggest registration numbers this spring in history.  The the skills day and team draft was complete, and uniforms were ordered in preparation for opening weekend.  Then it happened.  While the East Coast was being hit hard with the COVID-19 health crisis, the State of California moved ahead and put Social Distancing orders in place that prevented groups and crowds to gather.  

That's when Tom Ensminger and the LA Board had to make the incredibly tough decision to cancel the season.  Board member Jordan Hall commented "We knew this would be a hardship on league finances, but there was no hesitation as to whether we would quickly and swiftly figure out a way to get refunds to our players. For some, this would be a matter of surviving for another week. This refund would mean providing groceries for their families."  

But cancelling the season did not mean, they needed to cancel the relationships, and the community that people needed to bring together. Tom and the board quickly thought of ways to unite the league, and continued to make the commitment to Connect and Unite the players, refs through a different format.  


First it was the uniforms.  Through a generous donor, all uniforms were sent to all players to get them to be connected to their teams.  A survey was sent out to ask where players were, if they were alone in their house, or perhaps staying with their family or partners, to make sure the uniforms were sent to the right places.  

You Be The Ref, February 2020

1)  A forward pass in flight touches a tall patch of grass on the field before the ball is possessed by receiver A5.  What's the call?  Complete or incomplete?

The forward pass is incomplete.  The grass is the ground.  Extra credit:  if playing on a field covered in snow, it is incomplete if a forward pass touches the snow.  The snow becomes the new "ground".

2)  B3, defending against a legal forward pass beyond the neutral zone, has his back to the ball and is waving his arms in the face of A8, but does not make contact.  What's the call?  Pass interference or no foul?

No foul. There is no foul for defensive pass interference if there is no contact.

3)  True or false?   If properly placed, the pylons/cones marking the sideline, goal line, and back line are out of bounds.

True.  A ball in player possession is out-of-bounds when the runner or the ball touches anything, other than another player or game official, which is on or outside the sidelines or end line.  If any legal kick touches a pylon or cone, the result is a touchback.

Jodie Turner, NGFFL 2019 Hall of Fame

What does being a Hall of Famer mean to you?

Being a Hall of Famer is an incredible honor that is really hard to put into words.  

I am proud to join all of the previous amazing Hall Of Famers.  It recognizes the success of the Mile High Club (MHC) under my leadership; there is no other team in the history of the NGFFL that has done what we have. It also makes me reflect on the past eight years that I have been in the Denver Gay and Lesbian Flag Football League (DGLFFL). I have continued to encourage the MHC women to be involved as leaders in the DGLFFL.  Since becoming MHC Captain the number of female quarterbacks, refs, captains, and board members has exponentially increased in the DGLFFL. I am also very big on giving back to our community, which is why MHC has now started to host events to donate to charity. Recently I have continued this work on a national level, speaking with other women’s teams about how to help their leagues be more inclusive of all genders so they can enjoy the same feeling of community that we have in Denver. I can’t wait to celebrate this award with all the previous winners and my Denver family. I am so grateful to everyone that has been a part of this journey with me. 

What made you decide to “come out and play” in the NGFFL?

When I came back from being deployed with the Air Force I decided I wanted to get more involved in our local DGLFFL leauge which then led me to play on the loose women’s team in the first women’s gay bowl. Being raised in Louisiana and living in Arkansas for a couple of years, we didn’t have the opportunity to play in a local rec LGBTQ sports league. It gave me the best of both worlds because I was able to compete as an athlete and also be a part of the Denver gay and NGFFL community. “Coming out and playing” was one of the best decisions I have made. I have developed some amazing lifelong friendships and been able to travel and compete with my MHC family. 

What is your favorite NGFFL memory so far?

My favorite memory is playing in the championship game for Gay Bowl XIII in Phoenix against the Brooklyn Menace. The game was so competitive and evenly matched. Both teams had great sportsmanship that made the game so fun to play in. It eventually went into double overtime and the sidelines were so loud with fans that when the QBs were calling plays we couldn’t even hear them on the field. It was an incredible game with an incredible ending and I’ll never forget the rest of the Denver community rushing the field after the game. That game was so symbolic of the high level of competition in the NGFFL and also the community that we all love being a part of. We have built great friendships with the New York players over the years and I also cherish the strong relationships between the Summit men and the MHC women that really formed during that tournament.

How did the NGFFL make you feel included in the sports community?

I have played sports my entire life.  The NGFFL gave me the opportunity to continue playing sports as an adult.  It gives us the ability to compete at a local level, meet new people, give back to the community and even compete at a National level. 

What has been the most encouraging NGFFL advancement since you came out to play? 

The NGFFL’s most encouraging advancement is how they have embraced women as a part of the organization.  When the first Women’s Division was created at Gay Bowl XII in 2012, there were only 7 teams. Now 8 years later and going into Gay Bowl XIX, the Women’s Division will have over 14 teams.  This is incredible growth in a short timeframe. The NGFFL Board and other city leaders are doing a great job of making the women feel they belong in this organization.  

Do you have any advice for new players? 

Get involved! Start by joining your local leagues and then when you feel more comfortable, get involved by volunteering for leadership roles (captaining, reffing, being on the board, helping to put on tournaments).  Building a community is more important than anything else!!

Team Swift, Team Perry or Queen Bey – and why?

TEAM P!NK!!!! P!nk is a bada** that continues to stand up for what is right and push the boundaries for women and the LGBTQ community. She has used her platform to push for change and to fight the good fight! She is always true to herself and encourages all of us to live our truth. “We are all pink on the inside, we all bleed red, we all cry clear tears, we all put one foot in front of the other...we all want to be loved and accepted and understood.” - P!nk

Darrel Bayani, NGFFL 2019 Hall of Fame

What does being a Hall of Famer mean to you?

Being a Hall of Famer to me means that everything we hoped we could achieve from Gay Bowl I has happened. We have grown from a few teams getting together to play football to where we’ve had so many amazing contributors that we have a Hall of Fame. In a speech at Gay Bowl II in San Francisco, I challenged everyone in attendance to keep making each tournament better than the last. Everyone delivered! Being a Hall of Famer means everything to me!

What made you decide to “come out and play” in the NGFFL?

When I came out in high school I wanted to find my community. After graduating, I had no outlet for football. I found a group of guys who were playing at a local park (Dolores Park) not far from the Castro in San Francisco. Through Outsports we were able to connect with Jim Buzinski and organize a small tournament in Los Angeles, which eventually became Gay Bowl I.

What is your favorite NGFFL memory so far?

My favorite memory so far was walking out onto the fields at Gay Bowl II in San Francisco. We had grown from 3 teams to 6. It was amazing to see all the players from LGBT communities across the country. It felt great to find others like me, and I no longer felt alone.

Given the mission/vision of NGFFL: “To proudly foster community, camaraderie, and inclusivity by providing opportunities to engage in competition through flag football” – how do you plan to use your new moniker as Hall of Famer to embody this mission/vision?

I plan to continue fostering flag football in our community. It hasn’t always been easy, but I’ve never given up providing a safe space for others in our community to play and meet new people through flag football.

Do you have any advice for new players?

Keep our community growing! It should never end with you. Find ways to help your local leagues and communities. Once you start playing, find ways you can help off the field. This community cannot grow without you!

Team Swift, Team Perry or Queen Bey – and why?

*Picks up phone and dials the Beygency* ma’am someone is trying to dethrone you.

Tyler Foerster, NGFFL 2019 Hall of Fame

What does being a Hall of Famer mean to you? 

This award being the highest honor recognized in this league makes it above and beyond more special than any achievement I’ve accomplished.  More than any award or championship to date. I was at the first Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony back in 2010 at Gay Bowl X in Phoenix.  I remember it well because it was my first ever Gay Bowl. To think exactly 9 years later (10/10/2010 – 10/10/2019) I would be receiving this award leaves me absolutely speechless. I say that because reflecting back to that moment, I would have thought that I had ZERO chance of being even nominated for this recognition.  I was this shy kid from Indiana, barely out of the closet, new to the sport and definitely NOT a leader whatsoever.  I also had this young cocky attitude on the field that turned off many people. (Which I’ll explain more later in my ‘Favorite Moment’)

That all changed when I decided to play in the SDAFFL in 2014. I flew from Chicago, through Seattle, and down to San Diego on Fridays.  Played football on Saturday mornings, and flew home on Sundays for 14 weekends that spring.  After the last week of games before the playoffs, I quit my job, packed my things and moved to San Diego. From that moment, I knew I wanted to be more involved, more of a leader. San Diego gave me that opportunity. I stepped up to coach a team the very next season.  Then dedicated the next four years to the Board, leading as Commissioner these past two years.  From all those long flights to sleepless nights, Hall of Famer status is the cherry on top.  

What made you decide to “come out and play” in the NGFFL? 

When I first moved to Chicago, I played for a soccer team in a recreational league.  It was when my coach kicked me off the team for being gay that made me explore the Gay Sports Leagues.  After playing in the gay soccer league in Chicago, I looked into other sports, one of which being flag football.  I only played in four games for my fraternity my senior year in college, as my high school didn’t have tackle football until a few years after I graduated.  I enjoyed it in college, so I decided to give it a try.  Best part, one of my teammates for soccer turned out to be my teammate for flag football, and we’ve continued to be teammates for about ten years now as we both moved to SD together.  Coming out to play in the NGFFL made me proud to be gay, proud to be a part of a league that welcomes all people no matter their sexual status.  I made so many friends in this league that carried over into other sports league, and it’s been the best experience I’ve ever had.  I’m not sure where I’d be without this league, therefore I’m grateful for its existence.

What is your favorite NGFFL memory so far?

I have two.  One is my first vivid memory of this league, the other is my favorite. But I can guarantee that after being inducted this year, it will be my favorite memory in the NGFFL hands down.

The first memory of my NGFFL experience was playing against LA Motion in the Quarterfinals at Gay Bowl X in Phoenix.  After catching a first down pass, I remember trash talking a player on the other team just before the snap.  I said, “So, are you going to guard me this time?”  That very next play he intercepted the ball thrown to me.  Tail between my legs moment, which resulted in my first ever loss in the league.  I found out the next day it was the one and only Cyd Ziegler, founder of the NGFFL, and he was the first ever to be inducted into the HoF.

The favorite memory was winning my first National Championship Title with the San Diego Bolts at Gay Bowl XIV in Philadelphia.  I shared this moment with my first teammate and best friend that I mentioned before.  I found out later that night that I won Defensive MVP.

What is one manner in which you would like to see the NGFFL advance over the next few years?  I’d love to see Flag Football at every Gay Games event. 

Do you have any advice for new players? 

1) Never give up.  On and off the field.  Always give it 100%.

2) Step up, volunteer, and give back.  Make the league better than how you found it. 

3) Always respect the game and your opponents.

Team Swift, Team Perry or Queen Bey – and why? Team Sia!  That Christmas Album is everything!!!  Been listening to her on repeat and I own 10x more songs by Sia than Swift+Perry+Beyonce combined.