The Toronto Triumph, our city’s new team in the Lingerie Football League, plays its first game on Saturday at Ricoh Coliseum. We spoke with captain Krista Ford about being a tomboy, making tackles in short-shorts and her famous family (Uncle Rob is the mayor, Dad is Councillor Doug).
Is this actually your horse?
No. I used to have a horse when I was younger, a black stallion named Beauty, but the upkeep became too much. I joined a stable in Oakville called The Ranch, where you get to ride and have all the perks of owning a horse, but none of the hassle. The horse I ride now is named Penny. She’s like my therapist.
Your Twitter bio says that you don’t want to be Barbie, you want to bench-press her. So I take it you weren’t a big dolls-and-dresses girl growing up?
Yeah, I was always sort of a tomboy. I owned Barbies, but when my boy cousins came over to play, I was always more interested in their wrestling figures.
What was your previous football experience, before the lingerie league?
I started the flag football team at my high school. I approached a teacher I knew had some experience coaching, and we put it together. When I’m passionate about something, I’m relentless.
Ever consider a career in politics?
Ha. No. Well, not yet.
The Kennedy clan famously enjoyed throwing around the old pigskin. Does the Ford family ever do the same?
Oh yeah, for sure. My grandmother has a huge backyard, so we’ll all get together there at Thanksgiving or Easter and play.
Your dad, Doug Ford, wasn’t super keen on this whole lingerie football thing in the beginning. Has he come around over the summer?
He has. He is really supportive of me. I think he was just worried—both about the safety aspect and about me playing in lingerie—but he sort of had to come around. He sees how much I love it.
What kind of a time commitment is the LFL? Is it a full-time job?
Well, it’s a huge time commitment for me because I’m also the team’s marketing manager. We practise three times a week for about two and a half hours, and there’s also a lot of time in the gym. I’m in school at Humber taking business, but I’ve got a light course load this semester because of the football.
What’s the goal for the team’s freshman season?
All the way to the Lingerie Bowl, baby!
You’ve said that you have no problem playing in your skivvies, but should women really have to be sex objects in order to play football? Men play totally covered in pads.
I wish I could play covered in pads—turf burn is not sexy. Honestly, the underwear is just about entertainment. But when you actually see a game, you sort of forget about it, because we are serious athletes. Sure, we’re cute, but getting onto the team is very competitive and it’s all about skill.
What about wedgies? They must be a constant concern.
I haven’t dealt with wedgies. Occasionally someone will grab the wrong place, and the underwear will come down, which is a worry. It’s never happened to me, but it happened just the other day to a teammate during a game. I sure don’t want my butt to end up plastered across the newspaper!
Do the Triumph have cheerleaders, or is that kind of overkill when you already have a bunch of women running around in their underwear?
We don’t have them, but I think it would be awesome. I’m going to look into it, actually.
What would you dress them in?
I’m not sure, but I guess it would be more than what we wear on the field.
You’ve been very clear about how much you love, support and respect your dad, but do you ever hear about an idea or a quote in the media and think, “Jeez dad, what were you thinking?”
Of course! I love my dad, but we don’t agree on everything. Both my dad and my uncle will sometimes speak before thinking. I’ve learned a lot from them in terms of handling the media. I tend to be more reserved.
You often tweet about family dinners—do you still live with your parents, or just visit a lot?
Yes, I still live at home.
Does the Ford family have a favourite meal?
We’re hardcore mangiacakes, so we love our carbs. I try to be healthy, but I love my food.
LIGHTNING ROUND!
Wheaties or Cheerios?
Cheerios.
Push-ups or crunches?
Push-ups.
Victoria’s Secret or La Senza?
Victoria’s Secret.
Pre-game pump-up song?
The Al Pacino speech from Any Given Sunday.
Favourite bar?
I’m not a drinker.
In 10 years you’ll be…
In Florida, running Deco Labels and Tags.
Favourite book?
How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie.
Margaret Atwood or Alice Munro?
Margaret Atwood.
