Living The Dream: Ebony Montgomery of the Carolina Phoenix

The Carolina Phoenix have been a staple franchise in the Independent women’s football league for years now. The team has won seven of the last eight division titles; they are winners of the 2012 and 2015 Founders bowl, and not to mention 2013 World Champions, so yeah they are pretty good. This year the Phoenix are off to another impressive start dominating opponents both offensively and defensively in each of the first four games of the season. At 4-0 the team looks to be heading to another IWFL playoffs appearance, and a large part of their success comes from the leader at the helm, quarterback, Ebony Montgomery.

The Passion Runs Deep

The North Carolina native and University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill graduate has been playing for the Phoenix since 2008, but her love of football started way before then. At nine years old, Ebony began playing the sport at a local boys and girls club in her hometown, from that moment she knew she wanted to continue playing for as long as she could. Coming from a football family, Ebony found herself at Friday night games where the atmosphere was like none other, “We always use to go to Friday night games, and those were very glamorized for me… Friday night lights, the town shuts down, everybody is at the games, the stadiums are packed … I use to do that a lot when I was real young!” Falling in love with the game came easy to Ebony, after being around it for so long it would make sense that she would want to continue playing after middle school.

In high school, Montgomery would find a role on the varsity team as the backup quarterback. Although she mainly held kicks, it was the excitement of being out on the field that kept Ebony going. “When you’re growing up it’s kind of like cute and then… when I got to high school it was kind of weird, everybody was like ‘oh you want to play football?’ … but I’ve been around so long I kind of just blended in with the environment… I just wanted to play and be part of the team… so I was pretty happy with that!” Ebony would remain on the team for her four years in school and would face the same question most high school student athletes do when they reach their senior year… ‘will I continue to play in college?’ Montgomery had known of the IWFL before and knew it would be an option once she graduated high school.

In 2008, Ebony would enroll in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to pursue a degree in education, but also made sure she was close enough to Durham to try out for the Carolina Phoenix. At UNC, Montgomery would have to balance playing football, pursuing a degree and working with the UNC football program. When asked how she balanced all of the expectations, “It was pretty tough, it was a lot of late nights and social events get turned down but it was worth it in my opinion, I wouldn’t do it over, I don’t have any complaints.” The love of the game continued to drive Ebony, as she stayed involved with football and relied on the support of her teammates in her journey through college and into the league. At 18 years old, Ebony was welcomed with open arms by her knew teammates. “My teammates that have been around me for the past eight years always joke around and say they helped raise me basically…I had a lot of energy at 18.” The energetic rookie would learn a lot from her teammates and from the franchise as well. The Phoenix were just starting out around 2008 as well, during her career, Montgomery has been able to grow with the organization and learn more than just playing the game.

“Counting on you counting on me” Even through some difficult times Ebony has always managed to stay positive throughout her career. In 2009, Montgomery would suffer her first of two torn ACL’s that would sideline her from playing football. A few years later she would tare her left ACL and eventually question whether she would continue to play the game. “Maybe this isn’t for me, maybe I am not meant to play anymore, and maybe this is a sign… I was 22 and I remember thinking this is it…” she said. It was through the support of her close friends, family and teammates when Ebony realized that she had a lot more left before hanging up the cleats. Montgomery credits her mom and dad in helping her through the process of rehabilitating her injury. “I had some really good people around me, who were supportive, gave me good advice and would stand by my stand… in the end I decided I can’t not play! I am glad I came back because since I came back we won a Founders bowl, I’ve been to two all star games which I never did before…” Since coming back the Phoenix have only missed out on one division title, in 2014, but have had incredible success with Montgomery out on the field.

In 2013, the Phoenix claimed their only World Championship and last year the team earned their way into the Founders bowl and brought back their second in team history. “I have the entire team and coaching staff behind me, and that’s a great feeling… when you have had a little bit of success you understand how to manage expectations.” The support and leadership of Montgomery has Phoenix in position to make another deep playoff run. This year the Phoenix are again playing well to start the year and this past weekend Carolina defeated the Knoxville Lightning 77-0 to improve to 4-0. The team has a goal set to win a championship this season, and with the players all buying into the same mission they might have a good shot at making it there and winning it all. Montgomery said, “Its a dream come true to play for the Phoenix”, in her eighth season with the club she has a chance to lead them back to another IWFL championship.

Rapid Fire: Favorite Book: Great Gatsby and The Old Man in the Sea Favorite Movie: Whiplash Favorite Song: Chris Britten Customized Raps - Pre Game Favorite Junk Food: Mexican Tacos Favorite Female Athlete: Lisa Horton

It was a true pleasure to talk to Ebony Montgomery, and learn more about her path into the Independent Women’s Football League and more specifically with the Carolina Phoenix. The greatest parts about these features are the lessons I learn through the stories of these incredible athletes. We wish you and the Carolina Phoenix continued success this season and beyond Ebony! You can hear more from Ebony on our Podcast Carolina are on a BYE this week but you can check out their site here Follow Luis Sanchez on Twitter @Luis_MyW