Donna joins members of Congress for the 2011 Congressional Football Game.

Photo by Marty LaVor

Produced as a family-friendly event, Donna Wilkinson of the D.C. Divas and several of your favorite former NFL players will once again be on the sidelines and on the field as coaches and players.

In 2009, the congressional squad, led by Representative Heath Shuler, won for the first time a hard-fought game against a team of Capitol Hill Police playmakers, led by Captain Jim Davis. It was a thrilling event packed with a pre-game show from NFL Play 60, and a coin toss presided by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

While both teams play hard to win, the ultimate winners are the charities for which we are playing -- The Capitol Police Memorial Fund, providing assistance to families of their fallen and Our Military Kids, providing grants to children of deployed National Guard and Reserve personnel as well as to children of severely injured service members to cover the costs for enrichment activities and tutoring.

The 5th edition of this gridiron showdown between members of Congress and the Capitol Police flag football squad has been postponed due to inclement weather.  New date and time will be announced shortly!

http://www.congressionalfootballgame.org/

Get ready for one incredible Congressional Football Game!

Follow Congressional Football on Facebook. 

Donna and thirteen members of the US Women's Gold Medal Winning National Football team met in Dallas to coach at the Super Bowl XLV - NFL Experience PLAY 60 Clinics leading up to the Super Bowl. It was a magical two weeks of coaching, connecting and getting up-close-and-personal with the NFL and its players.

Team USA showcased women's football coaching skills and enjoyed VIP access, presenting well at private events and exclusive functions, and set the foundation for the 11 day spread of clinics that introduced close to 2000 children to football fundamentals and a memorable experience staying active for 60 minutes!

"We appreciate the opportunity to work with the with the NFL's movement to create an active generation, that's important for all of us.  It's great working with USA Football Coaches and all the NFL players from the Cowboys and around the National Football League" ~Donna Wilkinson. 

This is the first of several events to come for Team USA as the World Championship women begin their Gold Medal Public Relations Tour. This group of ladies is dedicated to growing the sport of football around the globe for girls and promoting equality and opportunity within the sport. Working with the NFL Play 60 movement was a good experience for all involved.  

Donna coaching at the NFL Play 60 Clinic – Receiver Drills!

Team USA posed on the Red Carpet at the NFL Players party!

Learn more about Team USA and USA Football's Gold Medal Winning National Team. 

When 45 of the top football players from all around the United States were selected to play on the first ever women’s football National Team, none could have anticipated the magic of what was about to unfold.

One by one we gathered in Round Rock Texas for the beginning of training camp on a hot summer day in June. All-Stars and players that we have competed against for years came together to participate in the event of a lifetime. A few teammates and a few foes… we would not have imagined that we could come together and become One Team, and one family so fast.

Each player worked hard and put forth the effort that was necessary for us to arrive at this point. Some of us have played for 10 years, others just a few, but we were all selected for the role we would play and the kind of impact our attitude would have on the team. Indeed, we all love the game of football and earned the opportunity to be here and represent our country. 

Training camp was tough and put the team and mission into focus quickly. The perfectly structured days from breakfast to bed included: early breakfast, meetings, morning practice, lunch, afternoon practice, dinner, film and study periods and a team favorite “success” period in which the “onion” was unveiled. The heat during practice was intense and forced us into frequent water and fruit breaks. The pace and energy of the coaching staff kept things moving as with a force of nature. It was clear by the personnel packages that the coaches spent prudent time creating a threatening, multi-attack offense and fast swarming defense. All we needed to do was buy into the system, accept our role then learn and execute our responsibilities. Simple enough, yet are 45 women going to put their ego aside and become One Team and buy into One Mission?

 World Championship photo gallery by Gary Babcock. 

USA WINS GOLD MEDAL AT IFAF WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN SWEDEN

Click Image for HIGHLIGHTS

Defensive Most Valuable Player Sharon Vasquez of the Pittsburg Passion added:  “It was amazing to win gold medal. It was very emotional. We played an awesome team and it feels great to be in this moment,” said Vasquez.  

USA now holds all IFAF tackle football world titles with the USA Football Women's National Team joining their male counterparts, who won the senior crown in 2007 against Japan, and the juniors (aged 19 and under), who beat Canada to lift the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship.

For the sixth straight year Donna joined the kids from Adelphi Elementary for an exciting look into the career of a female football player. The students actively engaged in a fun filled day with the Animal sharing stories and signing autographs. Students learned that anything is possible if you want it and believe in yourself. Congratulations to all the classes on a successful 2010 school year!