Brigid goes from the football field to a beauty pageant

By Brigid Mullen

So much has happened in the last month: a few football games, the Miss Wisconsin USA Pageant, the start of the fall semester and my new job as party host for the Coors Light/NFL Silver Ticket Tour.

Brigid (far left) poses with the rest of the hosts of the Coors Light/NFL Silver Ticket Tour. Photo Courtesy of Brigid Mullen

Our last home game was crucial since we had another shut-out win, which was amazing except that during our pregame kickoff warmups, I strained my quad and had to spend the entire game on the sideline with crutches, which sucked.

This past weekend we lost for the first time, to Indiana (13-0), and I wasn't even able to be there. I had a work obligation and an unexpected surprise: Since I placed first runner-up last year in the Miss Wisconsin USA Pageant, a very generous woman thought that I had a great shot this time, and she fronted the $500 entry fee for me to be in this year's pageant.

That's right, guys -- imagine 70 girls doing the hair, makeup, swimsuit, twirling and smiling bit all weekend. And let me tell you, there was some stiff competition this year. Here's how things went:

Friday, 2 p.m.: My interviews, round-robin style, with each of the judges.

4 p.m.: Rehearsals for the preliminaries that evening -- a meet-and-greet where all of the girls say the most unique thing about themselves. You guessed it, mine is football. One of the more memorable moments is when one of the girls takes a nosedive off the risers in her four-inch heels. (Don't worry, she was OK.)

8 p.m.: Preliminary show that includes swimsuit and evening-gown judging. Instead of dodging women on the field, I'm running around backstage trying to avoid collisions with the 10 girls surrounding me while changing faster than I ever have before. By the end of the night, clothes and tubes of lip gloss are strewn everywhere.

10 p.m.: As we head back to the hotel, my mom and friends critique all the other girls.

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Back in the auditorium for rehearsals. It's amazing how close most of us get in only a day, sharing e-mail addresses and bad boyfriend stories. There's even a dance party in the dressing room. (Picture about 25 girls doing the Young Joc dance in heels.) Then it's time to eat the delivery pizzas, soda, cookies and KFC that they had for us. So much for my diet!

5:30 p.m.: Two hours to get beautiful. The fight for mirror space and outlets begins.

7:30 p.m.: Showtime! Our opening number looks awesome as we all do our little dances decked out in animal prints (the theme was The Flintstones). I hit one of the girls in the face by accident though -- oops.

8:30 p.m.: I can barely breathe. They are announcing the top 10 right now. God, I hate being this nervous. But I calm down; I'm almost positive that I'll make it. As they say the 10th name, though, my heart stops. What?! Did they lose a ballot card or something? Suddenly I feel the overwhelming desire to tackle the 10th girl off the stage and take her spot, but I hold back. As I go back into the dressing room, no one seems to know what to say to me, except "Wow" and "I totally thought you had it."

I guess Miss USA isn't quite ready for a football player. Sigh. Maybe next year.

I have to give it up for the girl who won though, Caitlin Morrall, who happens to be absolutely gorgeous. She should do well for us at the national level, and I wish her good luck.

With my pageant and summer now over, make sure to check back soon, because over the next 12 weeks I will be traveling to a minimum of 17 cities across the U.S. to play football, host parties and hang out with the NFL's finest. Man, I love football season!

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