…It’s really about creating greater parity, especially in terms of the number of eyeballs watching the sport. If you think about it, men’s sports generate most of their revenue from broadcast rights, then merchandise sales, and lastly ticket sales at venues. A basketball stadium can hold around 20,000–30,000 people, and a football stadium can max out at 100,000, but that’s not where the big money comes from. It’s really from television broadcast rights and then merchandise sales. So, for women’s sports, we need to focus on building that number one revenue stream: getting women’s sports on television and getting them streamed. The more exposure women’s sports get, the more people realize, “Oh my gosh, I really like this. I want more of it.” That draws in more viewers, which means advertisers are willing to invest more money in that sport. And then it becomes this wonderful, virtuous cycle that benefits everyone involved…
I had the pleasure of talking with Adrienne Smith. Adrienne is a prominent athlete and advocate, known for her contributions to women’s football and her work in expanding opportunities for women and girls in sports. As a wide receiver for the Boston Renegades, Smith has made a significant impact in women’s tackle football, earning accolades such as two gold medals with the U.S. national team and six national championships. She has been a driving force in increasing the visibility of women’s football through her athletic achievements and her leadership both on and off the field.
Smith’s passion for football began in her early childhood in the panhandle of FL. An only child, she recalls watching NFL games with her parents as early as age three, and even tackling her teddy bear, Ginger, while mimicking the game. Her father’s gift of a football and his lessons on how to throw a perfect spiral fueled her love for the sport. While she played basketball and softball throughout high school and college, her enthusiasm for football remained a constant. It wasn’t until she moved to New York City that she discovered organized women’s tackle football, a discovery that would change the course of her career.
Smith joined a local women’s tackle football team during a difficult period following the loss of her mother. A friend’s encouragement led her to attend the tryouts, a decision that reignited her passion for the game. Smith’s debut game was marked by a standout performance, where she scored a touchdown on a punt return — affirming to herself that football was indeed her true calling. Since then, she has become a leading figure in the sport, praised for her skill and leadership on the field. Her athletic prowess has earned her national recognition, including being dubbed “the face of women in football” by the Times Union.
Beyond her athletic career, Smith is also a creative entrepreneur. She founded Gridiron Queendom, an organization dedicated to expanding opportunities for women and girls in tackle and flag football. Through Gridiron Queendom, she aims to create pathways for girls and women to participate in the sport at various levels, fostering a more inclusive football community. Additionally, Smith has made strides in youth engagement through Blitz Champz, a football-themed card game she created. The game, which teaches strategic thinking and math skills, has been integrated into programs with NFL FLAG, bringing the excitement of football to young players across the country. The card game has garnered recognition and is available in major retailers like Barnes & Noble, with plans to expand into Walmart.
Smith’s influence extends beyond the football field. She has represented the U.S. women’s national flag football team, winning three silver medals in international competitions. She has also appeared in media outlets such as Forbes, the Today Show, and a notable campaign for the milk industry’s “Team Milk!” Her multifaceted career includes work in entertainment, having hosted a television show in Japan and made appearances in popular series like Orange Is the New Black. This breadth of experience has positioned Smith as a versatile talent in both sports and media.
A crucial part of Smith’s journey has been the support of mentors and colleagues who have guided her along the way. She credits figures like Emily Gottschalk, a business mentor she met serendipitously on a flight, and Ken Johnson, the inventor of the Phase 10 card game, for providing crucial advice and opening doors in her entrepreneurial ventures. In turn, Smith has made efforts to mentor others, sharing her expertise with emerging entrepreneurs and helping them navigate challenges, such as protecting intellectual property.
Smith is currently focused on expanding the reach of Blitz Champz, particularly with a newly launched NFL-themed version of the game. She envisions creating the Blitz Champz Math League, a program that would use the card game to teach math skills to elementary and middle school students, aiming to foster both fun and learning. The initiative is inspired by her desire to combine her love for sports with educational goals, much like national programs such as the Scripps National Spelling Bee.
A vocal advocate for equity in sports, Smith believes that increased visibility and broadcast opportunities are essential for the growth of women’s professional football. She emphasizes that greater media coverage can create a virtuous cycle of increased interest, advertising revenue, and fan engagement, similar to the success trajectory seen in other women’s sports like the WNBA. According to Smith, a unified professional women’s tackle football league could help bridge the gap between men’s and women’s sports, making the game more accessible to a broader audience.
Smith remains active in the football community even during the off-season, maintaining her physical fitness and staying connected to the game. As she continues to pursue her entrepreneurial projects and advocate for greater opportunities in sports, she is determined to leave a lasting legacy for the next generation of female athletes. Her vision is to promote a mindset of abundance and collaboration, encouraging a shift away from zero-sum thinking and toward a world where opportunities are accessible for all.
Adrienne Smith’s journey from a football-loving child to a trailblazing athlete and entrepreneur reflects her unwavering dedication to the sport she loves. Through Gridiron Queendom, Blitz Champz, and her continued advocacy, Smith is not only championing women’s football but also working to inspire a culture of inclusivity and opportunity in the world of sports.
Yitzi: Adrienne, it’s an honor to meet you. Before we dive in deep, our readers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share the story of your childhood and how you grew up?
Adrienne: Absolutely. I am an only child, and my parents tell me that my love affair with football began at the age of three. I used to set up my teddy bear — his name was Ginger. Don’t ask me why I named a boy teddy bear Ginger, but that was his name. I would sit in front of the television, and we’d watch NFL football every week. While we watched, I would run and tackle Ginger, over and over. My parents were like, “Well, either Adrienne’s special or she’s special. We’re not sure which one,” but it turns out I’m special. And I’ve loved the game of football ever since. I remember when I was seven years-old, my father got me a football for Christmas and taught me how to throw a perfect spiral. From there, I played pick-up football with the boys in the neighborhood. When I got to high school, I played flag football, but it wasn’t until I became an adult and moved to New York that I learned there was a full-on women’s tackle football league. So I tried out for the team, and it has changed my life ever since.
Yitzi: That’s amazing. So tell us the next part of the story. How did you go from there to becoming an elite-level sports star?
Adrienne: Well, I was an athlete my whole life. I started playing softball in fourth grade. Then, when I got to high school, I started playing basketball and eventually played basketball in college and then overseas in Japan. But through it all, my favorite sport was always football — it was always in the back of my mind. So when I learned that there was a women’s tackle football team in New York, I tried out for it. I almost didn’t do it because my mother had passed, and it was devastating for me. I found out about the tryouts five months later, and I just didn’t have it in me to go. I was at the lowest point in my life. My best friend at the time said, “Adrienne, you love football; you need to go try out. I’ll go with you.” So she hopped on the train with me from Manhattan, and we went to Brooklyn for the tryout. I’m so glad I did because it changed my life. The first time I touched the ball in a game — my first ever professional game — I scored a touchdown on a punt return. I remember it like it was yesterday: running down the field, crossing into that end zone, and saying to three-year-old Adrienne, “You were right, football is your best sport.”
Yitzi: You probably have amazing stories from all the different places you’ve been. And maybe this is hard to boil down, but can you share one or two of your favorite or most humorous memories from your professional career?
Adrienne: Yeah, I’ve got two. The first is in 2010, when I was one of 45 women selected to represent the United States in the first-ever women’s world tackle football championships. That’s where this helmet is from. There were 45 women from all over the United States, and we had just a week to train together and learn an entirely new offense. It was the first game of the tournament, USA versus Austria. Coach John Konecki called a play specifically for me. I was on offense, playing as the X receiver, the number one wide receiver. In that moment, I thought, “Oh my gosh, coach just called my number. I have to be ready.” So I focused, did my move, caught the screen pass from my quarterback, Sami Grisafei, and ran 52 yards to score the first-ever touchdown in the history of international women’s tackle football competition. I thank God that my father was in the stands to see it. He’s passed on now, but he was there for that moment.
The second memory is from, I want to say, 2019, when my absolute idol, Jerry Rice — the best wide receiver in men’s football — followed me on Instagram and gave me advice the night before our championship game. I was like, “I could die and go to heaven. That’s it.” Jerry Rice acknowledged my existence on this planet and gave me advice. I was over the moon!
Yitzi: That’s great. It’s been said that sometimes our mistakes could be our greatest teachers. Do you have a story about a humorous mistake that you made when you were first starting and the lesson that you learned from it?
Adrienne: Oh, that’s a good one. A humorous mistake? Yes, I have one. I have trouble with a couple of things — one, tying shoelaces, and the other is getting dressed. I’m actually going to admit this. There have been a few times where I’ve missed parts of my uniform because I just forgot to put them on. For example, on this Vibe cover right here, I made the cover of Vibe, and I actually had my jersey on backwards. It wasn’t until the magazine came out, and it was online, that I looked at the jersey and thought, “What’s wrong with the jersey?” It said “Renegades” on the front, but that was actually the back of the jersey! But by then, it was already out, already printed, and people already had it. I just had to chuckle because I thought, “There you go, Adrienne, you really aren’t good at dressing.” So, it’s a little-known fact — the Vibe cover, I’m wearing the jersey backwards.
Yitzi: So what’s the lesson that you took out of that?
Adrienne: I learned that I can still be wrong and be right. It’s not the end of the world. In the moment, it might feel like an embarrassing mistake, but really, you know, you still look great on the cover, and probably nobody even noticed. But I have to tell you this — while I was doing the photo shoot, I kept thinking, “Why does something feel weird on my neck?” No one caught it. It wasn’t just me — there was the photographer, the producer — so many people around, but nobody realized I had the jersey on backwards.
Yitzi: That’s great. It’s a great story. None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. And we love hearing stories where somebody who’s further ahead creates an opportunity that changes someone’s life trajectory. Do you have a story where somebody did that for you or where you did that for somebody else?
Adrienne: Yes, and you’re so right. I have two people who have been truly instrumental. The first is Emily Gottschalk. I call her my fairy god mentor. And I don’t believe in happenstance; I believe in God. I’m telling you, this was divinely set up. We met on a plane in 2018 when I was invited by Walmart to participate in their new vendors’ conference. We sat next to each other, and she asked what I was doing. I told her about this game I’d created called Blitz Champz, and how Walmart had invited me. She said, “Oh, I’m going there too.” It turns out Emily has run multiple businesses and is a consistent selling vendor for Walmart. She said, “Adrienne, I really like your product. I think you’re going to do well.” And she took me around and introduced me to all the bigwigs at Walmart. She didn’t have to do that, and even to this day, she’s still mentoring and guiding me through the process. I’m very grateful to her.
And the other person I want to shout out is Mr. Ken Johnson. He’s actually the inventor of the Phase 10 card game. I found him online and reached out. I was persistent, and he finally got back to me. Initially, he gave me an hour of his time for a Zoom meeting and shared great advice. I’ve been connected with him for about two years now. He always makes time for me and he’s been instrumental in helping to guide my Blitz Champz journey.
Yitzi: Do you have a story where you did that for somebody else?
Adrienne: Let’s see. I still feel like I’m climbing up this mountain, but yes, I always make time to help others. I have friends and people who reach out to me on social media, and I share as much knowledge as I can. I know how much other people have helped me, so I try to pay it forward. Sometimes it’s just offering an encouraging word, or sharing my experience as an entrepreneur, or drawing on my MBA from Columbia Business School. I can help direct people, like advising them on whether they should pursue a certain path or not. Just last week, I was at the Amazon Accelerate conference in Seattle and met a husband-wife team of entrepreneurs. They were unfortunately facing a patent issue with a larger company, and I was able to give them some advice and strategies to help protect their patent.
Yitzi: Okay. So Adrienne, you have so much impressive work. Can you share with our readers the exciting projects you’re working on now and what you hope to be working on in the near future?
Adrienne: Oh, yes. Right now, it’s all about creating more awareness around Blitz Champz, especially our NFL collection. We officially launched it in October 2023, so we’re coming up on a year of having it out there. I’m really excited about reaching more NFL fans and organizations, letting them know how much fun Blitz Champz is. Looking ahead, I’m planning to start the Blitz Champz Math League, which will be a program for elementary and middle school students. The goal is to encourage math proficiency through playing Blitz Champz and to create a national math league based on the card game. It’s similar to how Scripps has the spelling bee, which promotes reading and literacy. The Blitz Champz Math League will focus on building math skills and confidence for young students.
Yitzi: This is our signature question that we ask in a lot of interviews. You are a sports star who’s making a social impact and trying to make a difference in our world. Looking back to when you first started your social impact work, can you share five things that you know now that you wish someone had told you?
Adrienne: Okay. Yeah. Before you try to make a social impact… You know, I don’t know if I have five things, and it’s interesting because I never really thought, “Oh, I’m trying to make a social impact.” I was just thinking, “I want as many people as possible to experience the joy, the strategy, the competition, the fun that I experienced playing football at the elite level.” That’s where it all started. And the fact that Blitz Champz has turned into a fun game that brings families together, improves students’ math skills, and develops social-emotional learning skills — that just happened. It was a wonderful byproduct of wanting to share what I love about the game.
But from an entrepreneurial perspective, here are five things I wish I had known:
1. Know Your Customer Base: Really, truly know who your customers are. It can’t be general. It can’t be “women 18 to 49.” It has to be super specific — like women who wear a size 8.5 shoe, who go to Pilates on Saturday, and who order grande mocha frappuccinos from Starbucks every third Wednesday. The more specific you are, the better you can serve their needs.
2. Be Willing to Work Multiple Jobs: While launching your business, you might have to work multiple jobs. You’re going to burn the candle at both ends, and that’s just what it takes. There will be long days and nights, but it’s all part of the grind.
3. Have a Good Lawyer: It’s crucial to have someone helping you protect what you’re building. A good lawyer can help you read through contracts, especially in the beginning, to make sure you’re not signing anything that could hurt you down the line.
4. Apply for Lines of Credit When Things Are Good: When revenue is strong and money is coming in, that’s the time to apply for lines of credit with your bank. Banks look at your historical revenue numbers — usually over a few months — when considering lines of credit. Even if you don’t need the money right now, it’s better to secure it when your finances are stable so that if things take a dip, you won’t struggle with cash flow.
5. Maintain Your Health: I know it’s tough, but you’ve got to get as much sleep as you can, eat well, and exercise. If you aren’t physically able to perform, think clearly, hop on a plane, or, like me, carry around 32 Blitz Champz NFL decks everywhere I go, your business can’t succeed. Staying healthy is essential to keeping everything else running smoothly.
Yitzi: Do you do anything today to keep your football skills sharp?
Adrienne: Do I? Oh my gosh, yes. In my apartment, I have weights lying around the floor, so if I walk by, I’ll just get a quick pump. In between meetings, I’ll do some push-ups, sit-ups, or use my pull-up bar. I try to incorporate movement into my daily routine because sometimes I’m sitting in front of a laptop or on my phone for up to 18 hours. And nothing ever drops in my home — I’m always looking out like a receiver. If a pen is about to roll off the table, I grab it. I use every opportunity to practice and keep my catching skills sharp.
Yitzi: That’s great. Do you actually have an opportunity to play? Are there avenues where you can play?
Adrienne: Right. So, I’m in the off-season right now. I just wrapped up the season on July 27th — just checked my wall calendar. I’ll probably start playing flag football in the next couple of months. But yeah, it’s nice to have a little bit of a break right now.
Yitzi: Are you still working on Gridiron Queendom?
Adrienne: Yes, Gridiron Queendom is the parent company for Blitz Champz, and I’m definitely still working on it. Plus, I’m also working on another endeavor. I can’t share details yet, but it’s something pretty big. So, yes, Gridiron Queendom is still in full effect.
Yitzi: So, the way I understand it, part of your advocacy is to promote greater visibility and opportunities for women in sports. What do you think is necessary to create more parity between the professional levels of men’s and women’s sports — like more visibility on television, maybe equal pay?
Adrienne: Right. I think you hit the nail on the head. It’s really about creating greater parity, especially in terms of the number of eyeballs watching the sport. If you think about it, men’s sports generate most of their revenue from broadcast rights, then merchandise sales, and lastly ticket sales at venues. A basketball stadium can hold around 20,000–30,000 people, and a football stadium can max out at 100,000, but that’s not where the big money comes from. It’s really from television broadcast rights and then merchandise sales.
So, for women’s sports, we need to focus on building that number one revenue stream: getting women’s sports on television and getting them streamed. The more exposure women’s sports get, the more people realize, “Oh my gosh, I really like this. I want more of it.” That draws in more viewers, which means advertisers are willing to invest more money in that sport. And then it becomes this wonderful, virtuous cycle that benefits everyone involved.
Yitzi: It feels like recently, the WNBA has become much more visible, much more front and center. What do you think the women’s version of the NFL needs to achieve similar exposure?
Adrienne: Well, I mean, you’re really pulling out all the stops here. We need a unified professional women’s tackle football league because right now there are two leagues: the WFA (Women’s Football Alliance) and the WNFC. But we need a single, unified women’s tackle league. And then, there’s also something else I’m working on that I can’t talk about right now.
Yitzi: I really hope that your efforts prove to be very fruitful. I wish you success. There’s really no reason why it can’t happen. In the same way that the NFL is so much more popular than any other sport, I believe women’s football could become even more popular, maybe even more popular than women’s soccer.
Adrienne: You’re spot on. Yes, I am in agreement.
Yitzi: Okay, we’re almost done. So you’re a person of enormous influence, Adrienne. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most people, what would that be?
Adrienne: Oh, I love this question. And I have the answer because I’ve thought about it before. The problem with our society — not just here in the States, but worldwide — is that we have a zero-sum mentality. People, unfortunately, believe that in order for them to win or be successful, someone else must lose. And that’s just not true. You don’t see the bumblebee out here fighting birds over flowers, right? Every entity, every insect is living in harmony because there is enough on planet Earth for all of them. In the same way, if I could create a movement that shifted people’s mindsets from one of lack and scarcity to one of abundance, showing that there is enough for all of us to enjoy and live fulfilling lives, that is what I would focus on.
Yitzi: That’s amazing. So beautiful. How can our readers continue to follow your work? How can they purchase your products and support your amazing work in any way?
Adrienne: I love that. You can follow me on all platforms — my handle is the same everywhere: @adriennethe10. You can find me at www.Adriennethe10.com, and @Adriennethe10 on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. To purchase the Blitz Champz card game, you can visit www.BlitzChampz.com or find it on Amazon. We’re also in Barnes & Noble stores nationwide, and are selling on Walmart.com and will be in Walmart stores really soon. I’m so excited!
Yitzi: That’s amazing. Adrienne, I wish you continued success and blessings. I really hope that your hard work pays off. I know it will. I’d love to do this again next year when we have some major announcements.
Adrienne: It’s a date. Let’s do it. I love it. You’re doing amazing work.
Women’s Football Pro Adrienne Smith: Here Are Five Things I Wish I Knew When I First Started was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.