Nafl:players:majorieaberson

Survival for the Rock Island Independents in WWII meant returning to exhibition games, setting the stage for the story of Majorie 'Rosie' Aberson. The story comes from Majorie's best-selling book, They Call Me Rosie. The Chicago Marauders, the top NAFL team at the time, was the opponent.

After a perfect 1942 season, all eyes were on the Chicago Marauders to continue their dominance. Boston was floundering and New York had nowhere to play home games. Hopes ran high for another championship season

For Rock Island, however, players were leaving to play for the two biggest pro leagues, the NAFL and the AFA. The pay was much better and the games had a more reliable schedule. Yet Coach Holland managed to keep 21 players on the team, drawing on talent from college teams.

Chicago, meanwhile, was dealing with their own changes. Two exhibition games were canceled. The front office needed at least one game to prepare for the season ahead and they offered big money to any team in other pro leagues for a game. Rock Island responded and a date was set.

Coach Holland had neglected to say that Darby field held only 5000 fans and that he didn't have a full team. It wasn't the money that drove the decision, however. The team needed this game to create a future of his team. How he convinced Chicago to travel to Moline is unknown.

Coach Holland convinced the lineman to rotate 2 players to play both ways throughout the game. Eddie, a fullback, would be the emergency QB. He hoped for one more player, but none could be found until that fateful night when he took what was considered at the time, a big gamble.

He asked his wife to call on Majorie at work the next day. Majorie was doing factory work while her husband was seving overseas. She and Ms. Holland worked in the same factory and talked frequently. Coach wanted to offer her money to help the team practice for the big game.

Majorie was keen on the idea and the three of them began to work. Coach introduced her to the team as a placeholder so that the other 20 players could focus on the game. Another assistant served as the center for practice. Majorie proved effective and consistent.

The team was apprehensive at first, but they grew in confidence as they became comfortable with a pass-heavy gameplan. Eddie chose to play both fullback and make appearances as a linebacker. They also practiced a couple of gimmicks. Majorie would write that everyone was resolute.

The day of the game came. The radio broadcasters set up. The Marauders set up on the far sideline and Rock Island lined up for the kickoff.

Chicago was surprised by their tough defense and didn't manage to score until late in the 3rd quarter on a 2 yard TD run. Chicago up 7-0

Early in the 4th quarter, Rock Island answered with a touchdown of their own on a breakaway run by Eddie for a 43 yard TD. Yhe field goal team took the field and the Chicago defense reacted in disbelief. The extra point was good, but a Chicago player wanted to teach a lesson.

Knocking down Majoriehard, he chuckled and began to leave the field. Majorie stood up, walked over to him and said, “Now that didnt do anything, now did it?”

Before he could react, his teammates walked him off the field as the entire Rock Island team rushed the field.

Late in the 4th quarter, Chicagoarched downfield, but had to settle for a FG, taking the lead 10-7.

Rock Island was worn out. Chicago put in fresh players in an attempt to expand their lead. A fumble gave the ball back to Rock Island with enough time to tie the game.

With a minute left, Rock Island lines up for Field Goal after three failed attempts to make the 2 yard run for the TD. Coach Holland pulled Majorie aside and told her to run the Haymaker. She nodded and trotted in with the kicker. Chicago was poised to block it.

Majorie would later say that all she felt in that moment was that if the lineman tried to push her again, that she would just slug him right in the jaw. She wasn't that emotionally involved in the game, she was there for a little extra money to buy a couple chickens for eggs.

She would also say that the snap to her went towards her face. The Chicago nosetackle had gotten the best of the center, but he still managed to get it back.

She stood up to catch the ball, took two steps back and threw a lob just over the defender to Eddie alone in the end zone.

Now up 13-10, Coach Holland had Rock Island line up to run the ball in. Majorie wasnt on the field. Exactly what happens after that touchdown is disputed to this day. She said that she turned to walk off the field only to be met with a celebration of fans and teammates.

By some accounts, there was an unconscious referee, two injured Chicago players, ten fans arrested, and a hoarse radio announcer saying, “Can you believe it?”

At some point a stray dog took the football off the field and it took some time to get it back.

The point after attempt was not successful and Chicago had 45 seconds to come back for the win. Driving down the field, it looked like another score was assured.

The last play of the game was a desperate blitz that succesfully tackled Chicago's QB behind the line of scrimmage.

The story of Rosie the QB was born.

Rock Island made it through the rest of that season finishing 3-4. The Marauders went on to claim another championship.

As for Majorie, she never took the field again. She got the chickens she needed and went back to work the next day.

She wrote her book in the 80s, addressing the myths that had built up around her and the events of the game. The NAFL would honor her in 2020, inducting her into the Hall of Fame, pledging equity for women in all levels of football.