Pretty. Strong.

Pretty. Strong. from Oxygen, which aired in 2015, was a reality television series that focused on the day-to-day activities and personal lives of eight female football players who were part of the Chicago Bliss, one of the teams that belonged to the Legends Football League. The show presented a fresh perspective on women participating in what is typically perceived as a masculine sport.

The title of the series itself is a significant hint into the theme and tone of the show. Pretty. Strong. is a unique exploration of femininity and strength, blurring conventional gender lines. The word ‘Pretty’ captures the traditional societal standards associated with the female gender, while ‘Strong’ challenges those standards and highlights that women can indeed possess physical strength often synonymous with masculine traits.

One of the beautiful aspects of Pretty. Strong. is the diverse group of women it features. These women come from different backgrounds and have diverse personalities; however, they were unified by their prominent role as players of the Legends Football League. Some women were students who focused on maintaining their grades while practicing their sports skills. Others were mothers who were juggling duties of their homes and children alongside their training. Even amongst the trials and tribulations of real life, these incredible women managed to play competitive football at a top-tier level.

The show provided a unique lens into the severe training regimes and matches these women underwent routinely. Viewers were presented with honest and raw footage of strenuous workouts, physical injuries, harsh competitive spirit, and high levels of endurance that were involved in being part of the League. The narrative was not limited to the field but extended to the players’ personal lives as well, showing how they balance their normal routines and responsibilities with their sports personas.

In Pretty. Strong., viewers were invited to witness the camaraderie, competition, and conflict between the players. On the one hand, there were moments filled with teamwork and friendships that were formed on and off the field. On the other hand, there were times of increased tension and rivalries, with clashes not only among opposing teams but also within the same team. This added a layer of drama to the show, unveiling a reality that often exists in sports teams but rarely gets spotlighted.

Besides battling it out on the football field, the players were also often seen battling societal norms and stereotypes about women in sports. As viewers, we got a glimpse of the mockery, marginalization, and criticism they had to face for being part of a 'man’s game.' Through this, Pretty. Strong. sparked important conversations about gender roles, biases, and equality in sports.

The series featured a range of strong women characters who were not only physically fit but also emotionally resilient. Despite facing several challenges and adversities, these women showcased determination and ambition that inspired the audience. They continued to train harder and play harder, proving to the world that they could excel in the competitive football sphere just like their male counterparts.

Featuring a raw, unscripted narrative, this show gave viewers an uncommon look into the professional and personal lives of women in the Legends Football League. It celebrated the women’s talent on the field while also acknowledging their struggles and triumphs off of it. In doing so, Pretty. Strong. made a strong case for women’s empowerment and an equal playing field, quite literally, for women in sports.