Steeler Breaks NFL Gender Barrier, Says Seahawks QB

"Girls can play in the NFL. Ben Roethlisberger plays for the Steelers, right?" Hasselbeck said

By RYAN WILSON and FANHOUSE.COM

Updated 7:29 PM EST, Thu, Dec 4, 2008

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A month ago today Barack Obama became the first African-American to win a presidential election. And this week, another glass ceiling has been broken: the NFL has its first female player. At least according to Matt Hasselbeck, who on Tuesday took part in the NFL's "Play 60" program, which encourages young folks to get at least 60 minutes of exercise each day.

The Seahawks quarterback showed up at Issaquah (WA) Middle School to spread the good word, and to also answer a few questions. This one was easily the best of the bunch.

"Do you think girls should be allowed to play in the NFL?" one girl asked.

"Girls can play in the NFL. Ben Roethlisberger plays for the Steelers, right?" Hasselbeck said, in a playful flashback to Seattle's Super Bowl loss three seasons ago.

"Joking. Totally joking. That was a joke," Hasselbeck said, chuckling.

Well played, sir.

I have this vision of Roethlisberger reading Hasselbeck's answer and furrowing his brow before responding, "I don't get it." And then he'd promptly return to eating paste. Of course, Hasselbeck's implying that the Seahawks lost Super Bowl XL to a team quarterbacked by a girl, and maybe that's why the officials were so eager to guarantee a Steelers victory. Arlen Specter, no doubt, is on the case.

If nothing else, Hasselbeck gets points for being funny. Plus, unlike Fred Smoot, who visited a Northern Virgina elementary school last month, at least Hasselbeck wasn't spreading a message of hate.