Gordi Whitelaw, the coach of the Plzen Tornadoes, and I sat in my garden while he told me about the history of football in Plzen and its present state.  Gordi is Canadian and has lived in the Czech Republic for a total of almost three years, though during that time he has returned to Canada.   His wife, Eva, is Czech, and he loves living and working here.  He has no plans for moving.  Besides being the coach of Plzen's American football team, he is also active in English language theatre.  He says, "The quality of life here is very high; I'm never bored."
       The club was established in 1994-5, under the name of the Plzen Bulldogs, and they practiced in Bory Park.  Players learned about the club just by word of mouth.  The first coach returned to the United States, and under the next coach, the team's name changed to the Plzen Tornadoes.  A major recruiting effort went underway on radio, newspapers, and posters.  In the first wave of recruits, over 100 people came; however, only approximately 10 percent of these people continued to play.  
       The team is composed entirely of Czechs from the ages of 16-34.  They're not just from Plzen, but from the surrounding area as well.  Czech is the language of communication for the team, and sometimes English is needed.  Two of the players speak English very well, so that if Gordi needs to communicate something very important, and the language barrier is a problem, these players can translate for him.  Gordi and the players have adapted to each other's language difficulties.
       The players are a diverse group of people: businessmen, workers, and people from many professions.  However, Gordi says that they, "form a family as a team."  For example, two players were just released from prison, and the team supports them in their efforts to adjust to life outside of jail.  Gordi said, "It's good for them to have something to channel their energies into."  
       Gordi does not deny that American football is a dangerous sport.  "There's no question it's a violent game," he says.  However, the players are completely dedicated to the team and to the sport.  He says that due to the negative image the Communist government gave American football, many of the players play American football in spite of lack of support from their family and friends.  Furthermore, players have been injured, some of them seriously, playing football.  In spite of all this, they were always eager to get back onto the field.
       The Plzen Tornadoes also have a junior team for 15-17 year olds.  Gordi sees these players as the future of the team.  He hopes to just fit them right into the lineup as they reach the age of 18.  Members of the Plzen Tornadoes train and coach the juniors team.
       The Tornadoes have a wide fan base.  Hundreds of people turn out to watch the game.  Since American football is played on a football field, people thought a football game was being played and came to watch.  Since then, they have been incredible fans who bring drums and cheer.  The support is greatly appreciated by Gordi.   He says that the newspapers have also been very supportive with coverage, and the Tornadoes have also been on ZAK TV.
       The Tornadoes have a heart and soul of about 16 players, some with colorful nicknames: Denis Milfait, President of the Tornadoes, and "The Butcher," "The Beer," "The Pepsi," "The Big Package," "The Little Beetle," "Kurfan," "The Mammoth," and "Hans."  
       Gordi says that they are always looking for new players.  They train every Sunday at Stredni Intergrovani Skola in Lochotin, across from the shopping center Druzba.  Why not stop by and try a brand new sport?
 

©Michelle A. Armistead, Mlada Fronta

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