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Eli Manning & Robin Roberts Champion "Panther Pat" Doc
14 Oct
Summary
- Pat Palinkas was the first woman to play professional football in 1970.
- The documentary uses unique puppetry and stop-motion to tell Palinkas' story.
- The film will screen at The Paley Museum on November 9, 2026.
The groundbreaking story of Pat Palinkas, the first woman to play professional football, is being brought to a wider audience through the documentary short "Panther Pat." Eli Manning, former Giants quarterback, and Robin Roberts, "Good Morning America" co-anchor, have joined the project as executive producers. This Oscar-qualified film delves into Palinkas' historic 1970 debut with the Orlando Panthers in the Atlantic Coast Football League.
Palinkas, a schoolteacher at the time, shattered gender barriers by stepping onto the professional football field. The documentary utilizes a unique blend of original interviews, archival footage, and creative doll puppetry with stop-motion animation to recreate her remarkable entry into America's game. The film aims to shed light on this significant but largely forgotten chapter of sports history.
"Panther Pat" has garnered attention on the festival circuit, winning accolades such as the Best Documentary Short Grand Jury Prize at Slamdance. It has been featured at Tribeca, Palm Springs International ShortFest, and many others. The documentary will have a special screening at The Paley Museum in New York City on November 9, 2026, with Eli Manning expected to attend.
