Tasha Lemke held up a red soccer jersey with white lettering and dark blue trimmings. The words “All-American” were embroidered on the chest.
“In fact, I think I’m historically the first deaf All-American to be a part of this team — I don’t think there was anyone before me,” she said, speaking through two American Sign Language interpreters.
Lemke showed off the jersey she wore two years ago when she was selected to represent the Austin Outlaws at the Women’s Football Alliance All-American Game during National Championship weekend.
When Lemke isn’t working at the IRS, she’s playing free safety for the Outlaws — one of the longest-running full-contact women’s soccer teams in the country. Lemke has just completed her fifth year with the team.
At 41, she said she was considering retirement.
“Part of me is wondering, should I stay or should I go?” she said. “Mentally I’m a teenager but physically I’m older and so I have to make that decision if I want to stay for the long haul.”
Now that she’s spent more than ten years in the league, Lemke said she’s ready to pass her knowledge on to a new generation — particularly other deaf players.
“I’m trying to recruit other deaf players and encourage them to participate so I can pass the baton, you know?” she said. “Teach them my knowledge. Instill in them the skills I have so they can move on.”
‘No Haters’
As a child, Lemke loved sports. But it wasn’t until she moved to Washington, DC to attend Gallaudet University that she was introduced to women’s tackle football.
“I remember when I lived in DC I heard about a full tackle league where you carry all your gear, all women,” she said. “And I wanted to get involved.”
That team was the DC Divas, a professional team affiliated with the Women’s Football Alliance.
Lemke said she tried for the team in 2007 but didn’t make it.
“I remember people probably realized I was deaf, right? I was the only deaf person there who wanted to try it, and maybe they didn’t want to deal with it,” she said. “Maybe she was blown away by the idea of signing with me? Maybe they felt they were better than me? I don’t know it.”
Lemke communicates with her teammates using sign language or body language with those who don’t understand ASL.
In 2013, Lemke made her Women’s Football Alliance debut with the Columbus Comets (now known as Columbus Chaos) – a semi-professional women’s tackle football team in Ohio.
Lemke said she remembers the first time she appeared at a game in full pads.
“I felt so strong. … It felt really good,” she said.
At one point in the season, her team played the DC Divas.
“Ironically, they saw me play there,” said Lemke. “I remember moving back to DC after that year, actually trying again and… making it onto the team.”
While in DC, Lemke said she was being cared for by a deaf employee at Gallaudet.
“He used to be part of the university soccer team,” she said. “He actually volunteered to help teach me and guide me.”
Lemke played one season for DC. The next year, 2015, she moved to Austin.
After a brief stint with the Austin Yellowjackets in the now defunct Independent Women’s Football Alliance league, Lemke joined the Outlaws in 2018.
She said she feels lucky to play with the team.
“There are no haters on this team,” she said. “We love each other. We are always there for each other.”
A teammate and mentor
Alisa Powell poses while training with Lemke last month.
Teammate Alisa Powell, like Lemke, is deaf.
Before tearing a cruciate ligament, the 31-year-old spent her rookie year in 2023 playing alongside Lemke in defense.
“She’s experienced in the positions that I’m currently playing, so I learned a lot from her,” Powell said of Interpreters. “It’s nice to have them – to have a deaf mentor, someone who has experience in football.”
Lemke said her mentorship to Powell has become more important as she nears the end of her playing career with the Outlaws.
“I want to educate them better and be able to mentor them more,” she said. “And just get through the season with her until I’m ready to say, ‘Okay. You’re on your own. i can let you go Do your thing.'”
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