Exit Interview: Suzy Kolber

Suzy Kolber’s feats on the sidelines aren’t as athletic as those she covers for ESPN, but the no-nonsense 38-year-old Dresher native has become one of the most respected women in what’s traditionally been a man’s game — sports journalism — and has covered everything from the NFL to the X Games. Kolber proves she can take on Andy Rooney and rowdy Eagles fans, but watch the locker-room jokes.

Is it true you played football?

Tight end, as a 10-year-old. I was one of the first girls in the country to play organized football, for Fort Washington. I made varsity, but the coaches said they’d force their kids to boycott [so I quit]. I just wanted to play. I think I never got it out of my system.

Suzy Kolber’s feats on the sidelines aren’t as athletic as those she covers for ESPN, but the no-nonsense 38-year-old Dresher native has become one of the most respected women in what’s traditionally been a man’s game — sports journalism — and has covered everything from the NFL to the X Games. Kolber proves she can take on Andy Rooney and rowdy Eagles fans, but watch the locker-room jokes.

Is it true you played football?

Tight end, as a 10-year-old. I was one of the first girls in the country to play organized football, for Fort Washington. I made varsity, but the coaches said they’d force their kids to boycott [so I quit]. I just wanted to play. I think I never got it out of my system.

As a woman, have you ever had to face off with someone professionally over your image?

Never has anyone I worked with made my gender, how I dress, how I look, an issue. I have never had an experience with a player or coach that felt was disrespectful. It’s a product of establishing credibility, treating people with respect, being knowledgeable, and asking good questions. It makes some women angry when I say this, but issues some women have in this business, for the most part, they bring them on themselves.

Like your colleagues who’ve posed for men’s magazines?

Everyone is in it for a different reason. Lesley Visser said it best. There are two categories of women in this business: the women who love sports, so they’re on TV, and the women who want to be on TV, so they cover sports.

So if someone asked you to stand in front of the telestrator in a miniskirt…

If I could spend three years at Fox and never have any of those executives ask me to do something I’d be uncomfortable with, I don’t think it’s ever going to happen.

What was your reaction to Andy Rooney’s comments attacking female sports reporters?

Just don’t lump us all together. If you watched me on the sidelines, you’d know I know what I’m talking about. I have coaches complimenting me. I think they know a little more about football than Andy Rooney.

So you’ve never had any awkward moments, even in the locker room?

Bryan Cox [then of the Miami Dolphins] was funny. He’d do interviews with 15 people around him, and he wouldn’t throw a towel around himself. I was lucky enough to be in the back of the pack and short enough that it wasn’t an issue.

Any player you wanted to catch with his towel down?

That’s an insulting question.

Uh, just trying to have a little fun, a sense of humor.

That topic is so ridiculously stupid that if that’s the one line you choose to print, how much of an asshole do I look like?

That’s not all we’d print, but, um, we try to keep this light.

A comment like that would make the rest of this interview sort of pointless, wouldn’t it?

Uh, if you take it seriously. But, moving right along … you co-hosted the first X Games. Did you ever think, when people were bungee-jumping with canoes, that the games would be so popular?

Creative Bungee Jumping didn’t last long. I loved those sports, but when they asked me to host the games, I had no idea how big it would be. That’s like my baby at ESPN.

You’ve been to stadiums across the country. Is the reputa¬tion of Philadelphia fans well-deserved?

In 1990, I worked for the Dallas Cowboys, so I’m on their sideline at the Vet, and the Philly fans are screaming obscenities at me because I’m wearing Cowboy colors. I see this group of guys screaming at me, and one guy who I recognize is from my high school! They don’t spare anybody.

What’s your dream interview? Other than this one.

I’ve interviewed my favorites: Walter Payton, Jim Brown, Michael Jordan. I’d like to have lunch with Oprah Winfrey.

Really? You don’t seem like an Oprah woman.

She’s a woman who has achieved so much, who overcame so much to get where she is.

I just can’t see you waiting all month for the book club.

No, but [Oprah’s] whole relationships thing …

Speaking of which — you’re single. Do you think your sports acumen works against you with men?

Yeah, and it’s difficult to have a social life when you work six or seven days a week. I want a family, but I don’t feel like the clock is ticking. My career comes first. It’s what I love; it’s my passion. But I want it all.

Is it a turnoff if you’re on a first date and the guy shows up in a McNabb jersey?

That would be a little over the top. I can’t go to a game wearing face paint or a jersey, so I wouldn’t want him to, either.