Pat Palinkas, Trailblazing Female Football Player, Passes Away at 81

UPDATE: The sports world mourns the loss of Pat Palinkas, who made history as the first woman to play professional football. She passed away at the age of 81 in 2025, leaving behind a legacy that shattered gender barriers in athletics.

Palinkas, a holder for the Orlando Panthers in the Atlantic Coast Football League, became a trailblazer when she stepped onto the field on August 15, 1970, during a game against the Bridgeport Jets. Her journey began when her husband, Steve Palinkas, a recent graduate of the University of Tampa, sought her help to improve his kicking skills—never imagining she would soon become a pioneer in professional sports.

Just days before the game, Steve’s regular holder was unavailable, and he turned to Pat, who had previously held for him during practice. “Pat was the only person I could get on such short notice who had held for me,” Steve recalled. The couple made their way to Orlando, where Pat’s historic journey began.

In front of an electrified crowd of approximately 12,000 at the Tangerine Bowl, Palinkas made her debut. “I was so nervous that one of the team doctors gave me a tranquilizer before the game to calm my nerves,” Pat admitted. Unfortunately, her first snap attempt ended in a fumble, but she persevered, and the couple went on to convert every kick for the rest of the season.

The Palinkas’ story quickly gained national attention, featuring on CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite and multiple appearances on popular television shows including The Merv Griffin Show and The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Pat’s remarkable journey was even highlighted in an article by The New York Times, which compared her physical abilities to those of former NFL star Joe Namath.

Despite her brief career, Palinkas’s impact on the landscape of female athletics was profound, inspiring generations of women athletes. However, her football journey was cut short when Steve suffered an injury, ending their time on the field together. “That was a fun time in my life,” Pat reflected. “I’m very glad I got the opportunity to do it.”

After stepping away from football, Pat devoted her life to education and family, becoming a beloved first-grade teacher at Dunedin Elementary School. She balanced her professional life while raising three children, often reminiscing about her football days when approached by curious students and parents.

Pat’s contributions to sports are still recognized today, as her accomplishments are chronicled in the archives at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. She remains the only woman to have played professional football alongside men, a badge she wore proudly.

As we remember Pat Palinkas, her legacy serves as a reminder of the progress made in women’s sports and the ongoing journey toward equality in athletics. Her story continues to inspire, encouraging young female athletes to pursue their dreams despite the barriers they may face.

For more on Pat Palinkas’s extraordinary life and the ongoing impact of her pioneering spirit, visit OrlandoSentinel.com/150.