Melissa Washington

Melissa Washington
Season(s) Played with the Divas: 2013-2017
Jersey Number: 86
Position: WR
Age: 31
Height: 6-5
Weight: 200
Hometown: Nantes, France
High School: Largo HS (MD)
College: Wake Forest University
Occupation: Communications Specialist,
American Society for Training and Development

Melissa Washington Q&A

Who was your childhood idol? Why?
My mother…she is the sweetest, strongest, and most beautifully spirited person I know. She has fought through and survived breast cancer twice and still held down her family in the process.
Who are your biggest supporters?
My family, my two best friends (Nalini and KP), and KG 29.
If you could have a conversation with anyone, dead or alive, who would you choose? Why?
My aunt Bonnie…I was overseas when she passed.
Who is your female sports idol?
Serena Williams and Cheryl Miller.
Who is your favorite NFL player? Why?
Calvin Johnson…he is a beast!
What are your favorite hobbies or special interests?
Cooking, traveling, trying new restaurants, and outdoor activities.
What is your favorite travel location?
I want to visit both Brazil and Thailand.
What is your favorite food?
I could live off of French baguettes, brie, and wine!
What is your favorite book?
Color Me Butterfly, by L.Y. Marlow.
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Effervescent, confident, charming.
What are your lifetime aspirations?
I want to have my own P.R. firm geared towards professional athletes, focused on player relations and image.
What was the first sport you ever played?
I was a cheerleader…or, as I called it, a “chilly girl”.
What is your favorite sports memory?
Signing the National Letter of Intent to play basketball at Wake Forest University. That prepared me for my professional career, both in athletics and in the corporate world.
What was your biggest adjustment to playing women’s football?
Learning how to take a hit, and being able to move around with pads and a helmet on!
If you could play any other position, which one would you choose? Why?
Linebacker…they get to lay the boom!
Why do you play women’s tackle football?
I love being part of a team. After I stopped playing basketball, I missed being part of a team and being active. Football was always the sport I wanted to play but thought I couldn’t play. Now I have an opportunity to do so, and I have fallen in love with the game.
What does it mean to you to be a D.C. Diva?
A Diva is a woman who is strong yet exudes great style and grace. She is confident and stands out from the rest.