The name Ciara Chic is a name that most Pittsburgh Passion fans have come to know. After not seeing the name in a black and gold uniform for the first half of the 2015 season, fans will soon see Chic back on the field at her running back position.
Last week, Chic announced that she would be making her return to the team after announcing at the end of the 2014 season that she wouldn’t be returning. The speedy running back said that she had planned to sit out this season after the team won the IWFL championship last year with hopes of focusing on her career and to prepare for her wedding. She was also eyeing a return next season in preparation of trying to make the next Olympic team for USA Football.
But she miscalculated the year for the Olympic tournament and decided she wasn’t going to wait for it.
That and, well, she loves football.
“I flat out miss it,” Chic said for her reason for returning. “After talking it over with my husband, this will definitely be my last year.
“Last season we had thought that I would sit out this season and focus on our marriage and career and come back next year and hopefully make a run for the women’s football Olympic team,” she continued. “However, I just calculated wrong and the next Olympics for USA Football is 2017 which I will not be waiting for.”
She then joked that she wanted “to make some moves in the procreation area.”
Last year, Chic was a mainstay at the running back position for Pittsburgh as she went over 1,000 career rushing yards. A high school and collegiate track star, Chic came in with superior speed and a thirst to learn the position. Now, she re-enters the backfield with someone just like her in Tara Catone. Chic just hopes to return and play her role for the team.
“I’m really excited to just help where is needed this season,” she said. “My mission wasn’t to come back and take the leading or star role as running back for us but just to make us even better.
“Well, not so much even that, but to provide options,” she continued. “Tara is doing a heck of a job carrying the team. But, hey, let’s face it, running is hard. I’ve been there and appreciated any relief I could get.”
While Chic is still unsure when she’ll be able to suit up for a game while the IFWL process gets taken care of, she said the team is happy to have her back on the field. With her and Catone in the backfield, Chic said the team has a running joke, calling Catone “Salt” and Chic “Peppa.”
“Two great backs with different running styles that provide results,” Chic said. “We are definitely shaking things up…. no pun intended.”
Chic said that returning to football shape wasn’t hard at all since she continually works out.
“I had been working out, in and out of the gym and just recently my work schedule made it difficult,” she said. “The great part of it all is muscle memory is a wonderful thing. After a few practices, the dust is off and I just need a little oil.
“Football shape isn’t the same as track shape,” she continued. “I can get by with not being in premier running shape, but some type of shape is needed.”
Chic said she hopes to return to the field for games soon to give an already powerful stable of running backs an added boost. Pittsburgh is currently 5-0 and returns to action Saturday against the New York Sharks, who sit at 4-1. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at the Aviator Sports Complex on Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, New York.
Photo Credit: Pittsburgh Passion
