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.