As one of the most talented running backs in the Legends Football League, Stevi Schnoor has emerged as more than just a fan favorite, but an ambassador for the game, providing Canadian football fans with a strong point of pride. Proudly wearing paraphernalia with the Canadian flag motif under her helmet, the native of British Columbia has always stayed true to her roots, while encouraging a new generation of female athletes north of the border to follow their own gridiron dreams.
Having recently contributed to the Seattle Mist’s run to the Legends Cup in 2015, an unprecedented first in franchise history, it was complemented by Schnoor leading all players in rushing during the championship game. Such a performance has only added to her growing legend, one where is establishing herself as the greatest Canadian to have played in the LFL.
Along with teammate Jessica Hopkins, the two would also become the first women to win LFL titles in both Canada and the United States, having won a Canadian title with the BC Angels in 2012. Although she was not active for the postseason, fellow BC native Deanna Schaper-Kotter was part of the Mist roster early in the regular season.
Gaining the opportunity to compete in the LFL’s All-Fantasy Game before the holiday season, it marked a special milestone in her career. While Schnoor had been recognized with All-Fantasy honors in the aftermath of the 2014 and 2015 regular seasons, this marked her first participation in an All-Fantasy Game. Traditionally, such games have taken place outside of the United States, including locations such as Mexico, Singapore and the Philippines.
Image suppiled by Stevi Schnoor
This most recent edition was no exception. Taking place in the Central American nation of Guatemala, it provided Schnoor with an opportunity to appreciate another corner of the world. Competing in Guatemala City, Schnoor was captivated by the city’s beauty, adding another memorable event to her distinguished athletic career,
“I always love to travel and see different countries, and Guatemala did not disappoint! Not only was it beautiful, but the people there were so supportive of the LFL and the athletes. The energy at all of the media events, meet and greets and at the stadium for game time was amazing!”
Named to the Western Conference All-Fantasy Team, Schnoor was joined by six other teammates from the Seattle Mist. Considering the sweat, time and sacrifice that is a significant part of life as a competitor in elite female football, the Mist have truly become a second family for Schnoor. Being able to share in this experience with her teammates only added to the simultaneous feelings of jubilation and accomplishment,
“Being able to share the experience with my Mist teammates makes it all just that much sweeter. The Mist team is truly a family, and I love those girls to death. So who better than to get to travel and chase your dreams with than your sisters by your side!”
Considering that the remainder of the roster for the Western Conference All-Fantasy Team featured rivals from the Los Angeles Temptation and Las Vegas Sin, it was only natural that an adjustment was necessary. The Mist vs. the Temptation represents one of the LFL’s signature rivalries, perhaps the rivalry of all rivalries. This season was no exception as the two clashed in a hotly contested Western Conference title game.
Any existing animosity would melt away, replaced by professionalism and a collective goal of representing the league’s brand. In reflecting how the Western Conference team eventually unified, the bonding would prove to be one of Schnoor’s highlights from the All-Fantasy experience.
Although the Eastern Conference squad would eventually prevail in the event, the bigger victory was the chance to gather the league’s finest talents, celebrating the game and each other’s achievements, their impact as role models, and as ambassadors for the league.
“Of course at the beginning everyone is a little hesitant of the idea, I mean a few months earlier we were all trying to rip each others heads off. Yet, with the help of some karaoke sing-alongs on the team bus, we got to know each other well, and grew into a very strong West unit.
It actually became one of my favorite parts of the trip, bussing around with the team, as it gave me the chance to get to know so many of the other West girls from the other teams. There are some very amazing women, doing some very amazing things in this league!”
“All quotes obtained first hand unless otherwise indicated”
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