Pioneer High School alum Jennifer Kraus excelling in Lingerie Football League
Pioneer alum Jennifer Kraus (right) beats the Chantelle Ringgold for a touchdown while playing for the Orlando Fantasy of the Lingerie Football League. Kraus leads LFL in receptions and receiving yards.
Photo courtesy of Lingerie Football League
While working as a personal trainer in Atlanta, Ga., Ann Arbor native and 2005 Pioneer High School graduate Jennifer Kraus got her sports fix by playing in a flag football league. She and some of her teammates were disappointed when they first learned that the Orlando Fantasy - an expansion team in the all-women, full contact Lingerie Football League - had an open tryout because they heard about it after the fact. When Kraus heard there would be a second round of tryouts, she hopped in a car with five teammates and headed south.
"What’s the worse that could happen? If I don’t make it, I can come back, and it’s no loss,” Kraus remembers thinking.
Kraus was the only of her group to make the team and recently ended the four-game regular season as the LFL’s leader in receptions (12) and receiving yards (123). Though the Fantasy finished the season in last place with an 0-4 record, Kraus has been referred to on the league’s website as “one of the top three receivers in the league.” “Being able to tell people I’ve been on national television,” - the league’s games are aired on MTV2, and the championship will be on Pay-Per-View during halftime of the Super Bowl - “that’s probably been the best thing about it, and the football has been great,” Kraus said. Kraus, 23, isn’t naïve to the fact that the league is better known for its uniforms - or lack thereof - than the level of competition. A photo spread featuring a player from every team will be in the February issue of Playboy. Still, Kraus - who did not volunteer for the Playboy selection process - said she sees herself as more of an athlete than sex symbol. And she has the turf burn to prove it. “Most fans, it starts out they’re sort of into it because of the uniforms, but most seem to recognize the football is pretty good,” Kraus said. “Those girls are out there for blood.” The league’s name is a bit of a misnomer, as the uniforms provided by René Rofé Lingerie are more like bathing suits than the manufacturer’s actual lingerie line.
Photo courtesy of Lingerie Football League
Comments
Megarz
Mon, Jan 3, 2011 : 4:14 p.m.
"Objecticiation" is spelling at its worse. Nope, its a typo at its worse. But pointing out my grammatical mistake does nothing to offset my point. Thanks though.
Speechless
Sat, Jan 1, 2011 : 9:03 p.m.
"... Besides, there is a huge difference between men and women. Would you really want to see a defensive lineman in a speedo...." "... Nope. Wouldn't want to see a defensive lineman in a Speedo...." Speaking of 'huge' differences, sometimes skimpily-clad sumo guys can look pretty hot. Full-figured manly men deserve some attention, too. Like the sumo pros, football linemen work hard to sculpt a body well-endowed with an abundance of both muscle and fat. For what they do in sports, size definitely does matter, and when you've got it, please, please flaunt it! So, as per the photo at top that shows a crowded front section in the stands, I feel the NFL misses the boat in not allowing its players to reveal themselves. They could start slowly and test the waters by scheduling a few preseason "skins" games in August. Given how little most male NFL fans care about preseason contests, the surge in women viewers alone will blow summer reruns out of the water in the TV ratings. At a time of year when so few care about the final score, "game action" takes on a whole new layer of meaning as NFL players enticingly remove most layers. Then comes the inevitable spike in marketing profits via sales of pinups and foldouts using game photos. If the Big Ten did this, Rich Rod could coach here forever. The expanded fan base would be largely unconcerned with U-M's place in league standings. RR would instead be judged on how much exposure he brings the team.
stunhsif
Fri, Dec 31, 2010 : 6:49 p.m.
Megarz said: "Go ahead and call me judgmental, but this disgusts me." Come on and lighten up please. You see women wearing fewer clothes in beer commercials on television. I agree that women are too "sexualized" much of the time but these young ladies are both sexy and great athletes. To me there is a reasonable and delicate balance between sexy and disgusting. This act here is on the balance beam ( like the gals in gymnastics) and I kinda like it! Besides, there is a huge difference between men and women. Would you really want to see a defensive lineman in a speedo?
InsideTheHall
Fri, Dec 31, 2010 : 12:17 p.m.
Beach Volleyball is now ranked #2 on my favorite sports list!
Pete Cunningham
Fri, Dec 31, 2010 : 11:35 a.m.
Judgemental, "Objecticiation" is spelling at its worse.
Megarz
Fri, Dec 31, 2010 : 11:27 a.m.
Go ahead and call me judgmental, but this disgusts me. If this were about the game and the experience, they wouldn't be wearing lingerie. To me, this is objecticiation at its worst. My parents would be ashamed of me if I did something like this, and in my humble opinion, they would be absolutely right.
stunhsif
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 10:25 p.m.
Bring a team to A2 and I will buy season tickets for the entire family. They have on more clothes than the waiter's at Hooters and they are in better shape too!
Craig Lounsbury
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 6:56 p.m.
"So this is Roller Derby with less clothing?" No its football. "I'll bet mom and dad are proud!" why shouldn't they be? She has more clothes on than Micheal Phelps did when he won some swimming races a couple summers ago.
aareader
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 5:25 p.m.
I am happy she has an opportunity to realize a goal. And she is probably having fun too.
Speechless
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 4:38 p.m.
Who underwrites this sports league?  Hooters? If only women can do this in public, and not men, then that's sexist discrimination. Although a few self-styled 'traditionalists" will no doubt complain, let's remedy this terrible unfairness in the interests of both equality and safety, not to mention transparency. As many of you already know, Big Ten football played in late August or September is highly uncomfortable for most men on the field, even dangerous. Why not reduce the dangers of searing heat by shedding those unncecessary, restrictive, and heat-retaining uniforms? With a revised protocol for physical contact, most pads can be dispensed with as well. Let the guys strut their 'stuff' out on the field — much like the Olympic Greeks used to do so proudly, back in the day. Now that would be what I would call the adoption of a genuinely timeless sports tradition. With the Big Ten creating new tradtions, such as divisions, why not add one or two from Greco-Roman eras for historical balance? And hence, rather than call the new divisions "The Leaders" and "The Led" (or whatever...), a shiny new, uniform-liberated, Big Ten mens' league can more practically divide its growing number of teams into either "The Tighty Whities" or "The Boxers." Just think of the expanded marketing potential for male underwear! Last, incorporate into the new Big Ten logo that guy da Vinci sketched — Vitruvian Man.
treetowncartel
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 2:49 p.m.
I'll bet she can do more chin ups than all of the commentators on here can combined, including me. Somewhere along the way this became an opportunity for her to make some money and get some exposure, and she isn't living off the dole. I think the saying is "shake what your momma gave you", is quite apropos, or maybe better yet for this crowd, "when life gives you lemons make lemonade."
chapmaja
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 2:28 p.m.
For those that think this isn't something that would be good on her resume, please refer to the part of the article that discusses what she does do for a living? "While working as a personal trainer" The fact is being in a professional sports league, even one like this is something that can look good on the resume. The fact she is working in a profession in which having a body that is kept in good shape is excpeted (personal training) being able to get exposure in a event like this can help a career. If this was someone in a different career it could hurt, such as banking, or possibly even politics, but working in a pofession in which outward appearance is important, this type activity can be benefical to a career. As for her parents being proud. As a parent they should be proud that their daughter has the ability to make decisions for herself and has the ability to do what she wants to do. As long as the daughter is happy and parents should be happy as well.
Top Cat
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 2:22 p.m.
I love it. God Bless America!
Angela
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 2:08 p.m.
@Edward Murrow's Ghost, I usually read what you write with much interest as you generally make good points, though I do not always agree with them. However, in this case, your remarks do not suit your usual intellectual comments. I am certain that her parents would be proud that they raised someone who can take care of herself and used whatever skill and/or beauty they may have to further their self in life. While it does indeed sadden me that some women feel that they are only worth what they look like and choose their life path based upon that, it is their choice to do so. Something to think about, if there is no demand for a certain thing, it would not exist. @Lumberg what you say may be true, which is sad. Also, steroids wouldn't necessarily have to be used. I have never watched this type of football so I cannot say how damaging it is to the body. But if your job depends on your looks, I can guarantee you that you will be in the gym every other day and depriving yourself of all the fattening goodies that you truly desire. I am unsure if this was supposed to be a happy success story or not. It actually saddened me as do all those pageants (child or adult).
RudeJude
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 1:39 p.m.
My girlfriend works with a member of the Austin Outlaws, a women's professional football team in Texas. They play hard with real uniforms, and the Austin-area respects them. More power to this Lingerie League, but to see athletes dress up in lingerie, be it real lingerie or not, makes it difficult to take it seriously and belittles the athletes, whether the athletes themselves take it that way. Call it the Court Jester League, it's about the equivalent. Congrats to Krause for figuring out a way to live a dream. I hope she finds a league that respects her as an athlete.
lumberg48108
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 1:34 p.m.
I am sure she is having fun and she seems like a nice kid - but this is all about her attempt to earn fame: Being able to tell people Ive been on national television, - the leagues games are aired on MTV2, and the championship will be on Pay-Per-View during halftime of the Super Bowl - thats probably been the best thing about it, and the football has been great, Kraus said. In other words, she wants to be on TV and the football is secondary! Great - but please be more honest! Realistically no one watches MTV2 (very low clearance in US households) and as a PPV it will die a very slow death! Its a gimmick to try and be famous - nothing more! (The real question is does this league test for PEDs? It takes a lot of work for women to look that way week in and week out and drugs are common is cosmetic sports (like american gladiators, fitness pageants, bikini contests, etc) so this league likely has more steroid use than the NFL!
tdw
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 12:19 p.m.
I think the people who cry about others being judgemental feel ok about judging this girl
Stephen Landes
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 12:10 p.m.
Kraus' mom and dad should be proud: Their daughter is out there DOING something she loves while far too many people are sitting on their butts because they can't overcome inertia, can't think of something to do with their lives, or are too afraid that someone will criticize them for what they do.
Mary Remmers
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 11:15 a.m.
Alrighty! Now let's get the guys out there in thongs!
JSA
Thu, Dec 30, 2010 : 11:09 a.m.
I have to agree with Murrow's Ghost on this one. It's going to look great on her resume.