We loved providing coverage of the Philadelphia Passion of the Lingerie Football League this season, and judging by the response of our readers, most of you loved it too. The Passion went a perfect 4-0 on the season and will play for the Eastern Conference Title this Saturday night in Jacksonville, Florida. Their opponent will be Tampa Breeze. Also on the bill will be the Western Conference Title game between the Chicago Bliss and the Los Angeles Temptation. The doubleheader is be billed as “Super Saturday Night” and can be seen live on MTV2 starting at 6PM.
The conference winners will go on to play for the Lingerie Bowl VIII title in Las Vegas on Saturday, February 6th (yes, the same day as the Super Bowl).
While seeing these ladies play in person left us no doubt that they are athletes first and sex symbols second, you might want to check out a game live or on television for yourself. You’ll be surprised by the hard hits the players lay on one another. The hard hits are sure to happen on the field during the playoffs, but the hard bodies of the L.F.L. players have been busy off the field as well.
The current online edition of Playboy Magazine (which will hit news stands in February) features one player from each of the L.F.L.’s ten teams! Tanyka Renee plays on both sides of the ball for the Philadelphia Passion and now fans can see her playful side as she bears all for Playboy magazine. Tanyka was also happy to open up to Independent Philly and give us the naked truth about life as a lingerie football player and Playboy model.
Independent Philly: What was your initial thought when you were asked to pose for Playboy?
Tanyka Renee: Overwhelmed with joy!! I was honored to represent the Passion. Playboy is a respected magazine that is published worldwide. There are so many beautiful and intelligent girls on my team I wish we could have all done it.
Independent Philly: We’ve seen the Philadelphia Passion in person and you ladies hit like a ton of bricks! For those who have never seen a game, do you find it hard to convince them that you are athletes first and sex symbols second?
Tanyka Renee: It is very hard for those who have never seen a game to understand how intense we are. They hear “lingerie” and they think powder puff. We play full-tackle football in less padding than NFL players. We have a helmet, elbow and knee pads. We have a play book and we give it our all. We train 3-4 times a week and we suffer the same injuries as NFL players. Our uniforms are the same as a outdoor volleyball players uniform….sports bra and boy shorts. When I’m out there hitting I totally forget about the uniform and concentrate on smashing my opponent.
IP: What gave you bigger butterflies in your stomach, running out of the tunnel before you first game, or bearing all for Playboy’s cameras?
TR: Haha! I never get butterflies when I run out the tunnel. I’m focused and ready to go. My aggression levels increase and I turn into a crazy woman. Don’t be surprised if you ever see me running over the mascot as I run out.
Bearing it all for Playboy….now that gave me butterflies. I was very nervous at first but this feeling quickly went away. The team on set was very professional and didn’t have me do anything that I wasn’t comfortable with.
IP: What was the reaction from your teammates when you told them you’d be posing for Playboy for the L.F.L. spread?
TR: My teammates and I are all family. We are sisters and we always have each other’s back. They were very supportive and happy for me.
IP: How much did it mean to you to win the Eastern Division on Saturday night and go on to play in the title game in Vegas?
TR: We WON! We are the 2011 Eastern Conference Champs! We worked over 9 months and gave it our all. We fought hard and it all paid off. Our nickname was “The Cinderella Team” of the league. We were always ranked as the underdog but this is what fuels us!
IP: Did you play sports growing up or in college? How did you get involved with the L.F.L.?
TR: I played basketball growing up. I dibbled and dabbled in many other sports but basketball is my passion.
A friend of mine played on the Miami team and told me about the league. I immediately wanted to join. Football was something new and different to me but I was up for the challenge. In order to be part of the league each girl has to go through tryouts, training camp and more tryouts. There are only 20 girls that make it, 14 on the active roster and each girl is willing to do anything to get out there and compete on a professional level. The LFL is not for the weak. This year training camp included 2 weeks of practices twice a day. My coach will work you till you would want to throw up or pass out. He pushes us hard and the weak usually cut themselves from tryouts
IP: What do you do when you’re not playing lingerie football?
TR: I work as a holistic nutritionist. I educate people on how to be fit and healthy while having fun. My goal is for men and woman to love themselves mentally and physically from the inside and out.
IP: Are you single? Married? Seeing someone? Our readers are going to want to know.
TR: This is where I check the “It’s complicated” box…haha! I do have someone that is very close to my heart but being an athlete, entrepreneur, and model is very demanding.
IP: Who do you think is the MVP of the L.F.L. after the regular season?
TR: Marirose Roach is one of the greatest running backs in the league. Not only is she a great athlete but also one of the sweetest people I know. She has the ability to go on that field and dominate at any position.
But this season I learned that football is not a one woman or man sport. She wouldn’t be a great running back if people weren’t out there making blocks for her. I love my team. We all are winners because we work as a team. We all have individual jobs that help us get the big job done.
IP: Did you have a chance to go to the Playboy Mansion and meet Heff?
TR: I had the pleasure of staying at the mansion for a week. The first night I arrived I had dinner and a movie with Hef and his beautiful and sweet fiancé Crystal. The mansion is luxurious. There were so many things to do and so many beautiful woman around. This was a once in a life time experience!!
IP: Give a shout out to fans of the Philadelphia Passion….
TR: To all the fans….I want to thank you for supporting The Passion! We will continually give it our all for you guys!
Don’t forget to grab the Feb 2011 LFL cover edition of Playboy, which is now on stands!
IP: Tell us something that would surprise or even shock our readers….
TR: I’m a big Star Wars fan 🙂
