The Cottonmouths are run by a Columbus native, Wanda Amos, who co-owns the team with her husband. The franchise operates in the shadow of Fort Benning, home to the 75th Ranger Regiment, which will include women starting in 2015.
“I just think everything’s changing,” Bechard said. “I guess equal opportunity’s the word. In my opinion, if you can play, it doesn’t matter what color, what nationality, what gender you are.”
Bechard’s bold move inspired Duke Liberatore, the owner of the Columbus Lions, a Professional Indoor Football League team, to play a joke on his kicker, Craig Camay. He called him and told him the team had signed a female kicker.
Liberatore, who attended the news conference to show his support for Szabados, said: “I talked to Jerome, and he said they’re not bringing her here just for window dressing. She can really play. If she can help the team, like everyone thinks she can, it’s a great move.”