I had a realization today, while getting my haircut. It was early in the morning and the only thing on the TV was the Big 10 network showing a replay of a women’s hockey game. The exciting smack of the puck occasionally drowned out by the four proud grandmothers in attendance, one of who has been unwavering since falling asleep partly through the first period.
The announcer sounded bored calling the game. It was a 2-2 tie when suddenly a loose puck turns into a break away for Golden Gopher Laila Edwards. As I listened to the announcer fight back the depression from three divorces, masterfully calling the action for a team he supports as it gets him from child support to child support payment, I realized he didn’t see the potential before him.
The potential that, as Laila strives to inch the Gophers out ahead, a young, gender dysphoriaed Niklas (now Nikki) Kronwall could one day share the ice with Laila. Fueled by the doubts, years of confusion finally abetted, and the modest contribution of 23 years of testosterone fueled bone and muscle structure would catch young Laila and Kronwall her through a plexiglass pane and into the 6th row in an explosion of femininity and progress.
Afterwards, as the brain swelling came down and Laila could be liberated from the ventilator and any lingering thoughts of bigotry, she could reflect as she came to and look forward to learning how to walk again and the promise of a puréed diet for 6-12 months and equality for all the left behind athletes whose potential we could finally realize freed from the constraints of social norms.