🏈 AWSN Power Player: Lois Cook (Professional Athlete, Women's Football Alliance)

In any sport and any league, you have the die-hard cheerleaders, and you have the star athletes. Rarely are these people the same. Lois Cook of the DC Divas is both. Yes, she can catch a long pass to score a touchdown against the best women professional pro tackle players in the world, but she is also one of the league's loudest and proudest champions. 

Lois Cook is a trailblazer in women’s football and one of the sport’s most passionate advocates. A professional wide receiver and Vice President of the DC Divas, she also shines as a coach, stadium host, emcee, and dynamic TV/radio personality. Off the field, she’s the founder of FTBLR, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering women and girls through football, mentorship, and visibility.

With over 20 years in the game, Lois has transformed her passion into a powerful platform—leveraging social media, national campaigns, and grassroots outreach to inspire the next generation.

As a proud mom of four, her message is clear: Hit somebody with your passion! Football is for everyone, and every voice has the power to grow the game.

In the interview, she answers:

• Which pro athlete from another sport she’d choose to be on her team, and why?

• Which WFA player she would send to the NFL?

• What should girls do if they are told, “no, they can’t play with the boys”?

• And the best rivalries in the WFA

Lois Cook is a star player, expert commentator, captivating creator, loving mother, heart-filled cheerleader, and soulful mentor. For these reasons, she joins the exclusive ranks of an AWSN Power Player!

***AWSN Power Players are women who have made significant contributions to women’s sports as players, coaches, executives, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and creators. 

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AWSN: Tell us about your early years playing football.

Lois Cook: I was born with a hole in my heart and had open heart surgery at 2 years old, so my grandparents, who raised me, did as much as they could to shelter my childhood and keep me from too many strenuous activities. However, growing up so close to my brother, who’s only 11 months older than I am, didn't keep me still very often. 

We did everything together, and of course, when it came time to play neighborhood football, I was all in. It gave me a sense of freedom, and I didn’t know it at the time, but those moments were shaping the competitor in me. I was able to jump on people, push people, and pull people -- and not get in trouble for it! I loved the adrenaline and the challenge that it gave me so much that when I got to high school, I knew that football was my thing. 

I told the head coach that I wanted to play, but he laughed it off and said “no.” At that time, no other girls were playing, so it didn’t strike me as odd. I just sat back and watched everything the boys did. Coach said to play football, they had to run track, so I ran track. I also carried my football everywhere that I went. When I got to college at Clark Atlanta University in Georgia, I carried the ball throughout campus and would throw it to random strangers every day. The security guard on campus approached me one day. Turns out, he was the head coach of the women’s team there in Atlanta! He recruited me as a quarterback, and my dream to play was finally met.

AWSN: How did you end up at DC Divas?

Lois Cook: When I came back home to DC from college, I was so excited about the possibility of playing women’s football, so I googled it. The Divas were a huge organization. Nothing like I’d seen before in Atlanta at that time. As a child, I used to say that I was going to be the first woman in the NFL, but finding the Divas made me realize that this was my NFL--and it was better. The moment I got my first jersey with my name on it was so surreal. I immediately sent a picture to my brother! I felt like I had finally made it. 

What have been your favorite moments with the WFA?

The best part is every year for the national championship, all the teams and so many players come together to socialize and celebrate the weekend. It’s those moments that stand out to me. We are women who play professional football! It's so amazing to be able to connect with other women like me from all over the country, sharing the same passion. 

Being recognized on a billboard outside of Sofi stadium for the Super Bowl in 2022 was not so bad either. 

What has your longevity in the WFA taught you?

I’ve been able to play football for over 20 years now, even with time off in between to have my four sons. That in itself is such a blessing. Longevity isn’t just about staying—it’s about continuing to grow, evolve, and find new ways to make an impact through every season on and off the field.

I’ve learned how to lead with intention, how to turn setbacks into fuel, and how to keep pushing even when the odds are stacked against you. I’ve gone from playing football for myself as a personal goal to being a part of something bigger—something that creates space for other women and girls who love this game as much as I do. And even beyond the game, our accomplishments with football translate for women everywhere that whatever you're passionate about, you CAN do it, no matter what barriers try to hold you back.

Most importantly, it’s taught me that the real win isn’t just in the touchdowns or championships—it’s in helping others rise with you. Whether it’s mentoring a rookie, traveling the country to visit a young girl who plays with all boys, or simply being a presence that says “you belong here,” I’ve learned that purpose makes longevity worth it. I don’t just play for me anymore—I play for legacy, for visibility, and for the ones coming next.

You’ve amassed a large following in a short time. You’re a star on Instagram and TikTok! As we know, women’s sports thrive on the size of the audience. What advice would you give to upcoming athletes who want to make a splash on and off the field and help build their sport?

Thank you. When I was that little girl in high school who wanted to play, I accepted the “no” because I didn't have the vision of a woman on the field to show me that it was possible or that my dreams can come true. Even if that vision or that woman didn't speak to me directly, I would have seen her, and that's all it would have taken for my "no" to become a "not right now." 

So for all the athletes out there–hit somebody! Not physically, but hit somebody with your love and your talents and your passion. Whatever you step into, make a positive impact and make it better than when you came. Everything you do matters. Every way that you show up matters. Whether you're in it for yourself or in it for the big picture, there's a little girl out there depending on you to make this game better, because she wants to play too. Show up authentically, give more than you receive, and don't wait for a perfect moment. This moment right now is yours. Use your voice and your presence to make the space bigger for all of us.

What’s your advice to young girls who don’t have a place yet for their passion? Who might be told “no, they can’t play with the boys”?

Never let someone else’s opinions become your limitation. Keep trying. The more girls who see you trying will want to try too, and that’s where the real power is. There’s strength in numbers, and you are the proof that there’s space for girls in every field. Even if it doesn’t happen overnight, as long as you keep working toward it, you will get there. Learn everything you can. Sharpen your skills. Stay ready. Your time is coming—and when it does, you’ll be ready to own it. 

The WFA is full of opportunities, and so many teams offer ways for young girls to experience the game, even before they’re old enough to compete. And if you’re looking for a place to start, come find me. I’ll help get you there. Because we need you, this sport needs you, and there’s a whole team of women around the world who believe in you already.

Aside from football, what else are you passionate about? 

I love creating, whether it’s producing content, TV/radio productions, singing, or just listening to music; that’s where I find joy outside of football. Being a mom is also one of my biggest passions—it’s one of my favorite roles in life.

I’m also deeply passionate about teaching other players how to brand themselves as athletes and build their own platforms. Helping them find their voice and grow their visibility means a lot to me. So I guess even when I’m doing things outside of the game... it somehow always leads back to football.

If you had to choose a pro athlete from another sport to be on your team, who would it be and why?

Serena Williams—no hesitation. Her work ethic, definitely her mental toughness, her determination, and raw power would translate amazingly to football. Plus, I know she’d bring the fire to every snap.

The NFL calls and says, “We need a player from WFA.” Who are you sending, and why?

Who wouldn't I send? So many greats to choose from! Hmmm, I would send Leilani Caamal! She's an LB in Colorado, and from my eyes, she represents everything that makes women's football so special. Her talent, her ethics, her heart and mind. She's a baller full of talent and love for the game, who's also gone through an unwavering journey to play! Watch out, NFL, here she comes! 

But I have to add that I'm coming with her, even if I have to duct tape myself to her back and hide under her hair. There's no way I'd let this pass me by. 

Leilani Caamal

Who are your favorite rivals in the league? Which players or teams do you love to watch go up against each other?

I love the DC Divas vs. Pittsburgh Passion matchups! It’s a rivalry that’s been going strong for years. Both teams play with grit, integrity, and so much talent! It’s always a full-on battle, and always a great game to watch and play in.

I’ve also really enjoyed seeing the Minnesota Vixen take on the St. Louis Slam! Two powerhouse teams with different styles that make for a great face-off.

And more recently, in 2024, for the first time in 25 years, the DC Divas and Minnesota Vixen finally faced each other. The game was neck and neck and came down to the wire, with the Vixen taking the win. But from the looks of it, this might be the start of a new rivalry for years to come!

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Connect with Lois Cook here:

Instagram.com/CleatsAndStilettos

TikTok.com/@cleatsandstilettos

www.FootballHer.com