Whoa! Canada: Triumph Could Be LFL Loss

The Lingerie Football League’s Toronto Triumph might want to find a new name. Team Turmoil might be more appropriate after 22 team members of the 26-woman squad reportedly quit. Among the departing players was team captain Krista Ford, niece of Toronto mayor Rob Ford.

Former Toronto Triumph captain Krista Ford

Mitchell Mortaza, the man who invented the LFL and runs it, told thestar.com from Las Vegas, league headquarters:

“What they’ve done now is focus on real athletes versus wannabes that are more interested in being celebrities than football players. A lot of these [released] women, quite frankly, aren’t used to playing at such a high level as far as sports.”

Mortaza is known for taking keen interest in every franchise and making changes as he sees fit.

“We had much bigger plans for (Krista) as we launch into Canada,” he said. “It definitely seems like it was a rush to judgment, and one that unfortunately, I think she’s going to regret in the very near future.”

“It’s going to be a huge loss,” Triumph coach Don Marchione said. “(The) door’s always open for her.”

An unnamed player who quit the Triumph told Yahoo! Sports Canada:

“We would like to emphasize the fear of our safety, the egotistical attitudes of the two other coaches and Mitch. Coach Don Marchione is a 60-year-old high school basketball coach and Mary Kennedy is a flag football ref. Our only experienced coach was an ex-CFL player whom the coaches kept trying to shut out of the organization of practices and the playbooks.

“We were learning the football skills incorrectly by Don Marchione, and we simply asked that the CFL guy be put in charge. All other teams have ex-NFL coaches and the girls are learning correct execution. Instead Don Marchione hopes this will be his last hurrah as a head coach and wanted to continue.”

A player told Yahoo! Sports Canada:

“The four girls let go were accused of being “I” players and not down for the team, when we were the most dedicated, acquired almost all sponsorship and marketing perks as well as being great leaders on and off the field. We had two scheduled practices a week, no permit! Girls had to take time from work to practice on fields in the city with football friends. Bottom line, we put so much into this, our fans are pissed, the coaches are lying about us. All we wanted was a coaching upgrade so we could be the best and represent Canada!”

“Mitch needs to ask himself what the requirement is to become an LFL coach!” a player told Yahoo! Sports Canada. “These guys pick up any Tom, Dick and Harry off the street. Those interested should go through a series of tests to qualify just like the players do.”

On her Facebook page, Krista posted:

Hey everyone! I am really sad to let you all know that I have left the Toronto Triumph, along with many of my teammates. It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make thus far, however, I had to stand up for what I felt was right. Unfortunately, it cost me the greatest sport in the world. “A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything.” – Malcolm X

K. XOXOXO

She added later Wednesday night:

I wouldn’t be anywhere without my girls. The dedication and sacrifices these ladies have made day in and day out inspires me to become a better person, athlete, and friend. I’ve been playing variations of this sport for 5 years, dreaming of playing it for 10 years, and watching it for 20. I’ve learned so much in my short time with the LFL, and I do not regret it for one second! Despite being a football junkie, when anyone of my teammates is in risk of serious injury due to the lack of proper coaching, it is time to stand up. Unfortunately, our voice as a team was ignored. I pray for the safety and health of every athlete, including my former teammates despite going our separate ways.

Guess we will have to wait and see how the LFL’s expansion plans for Canada proceed. Or whether the Triumph will lead lead to an LFL defeat.