First woman To Play In A Male Pro Football League, Patrica Palinkas Dies At 82, Joins Late Husband Steve

May she rest in peace!

June 24, 2026

This article was last updated by Rovik Parajuli on June 24, 2026

Patricia “Patric” Palinkas, the pioneering woman who shattered barriers in American football and devoted her life to education, passed away on June 21, 2026, at the age of 82.

Her legacy as the first woman to play professional football in a male-dominated league remains a defining moment in sports history.

Patricia Palinkas Became Historic First In Football

Born in 1943 in Chicago, Illinois, Patricia Barczi (later Palinkas) never imagined she would be the one to rewrite football’s rulebook.

Yet in August 1970, she took the field with the Orlando Panthers of the Atlantic Coast Football League (ACFL), becoming the first woman ever to play professional American football in a men’s league.

Serving as a holder for her husband, Stephen “Steve” Palinkas, she made her debut before a crowd of 12,000 fans.

Her groundbreaking presence attracted media coverage from Walter Cronkite, Time, and Life magazines, and earned her a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame archives.

Though her football career was brief due to only a handful of appearances, her impact was long-lasting.

Even when opponents, like Jets defender Wally Florence, tried to intimidate her on the field physically, Patricia held her ground.

Despite the rough play and low wages (she earned just $25 per preseason game), she proved that women belonged in places they were once denied.

Patricia Palinkas Was A Lifelong Educator

Beyond her athletic milestone, Patricia Palinkas was a dedicated educator for more than 40 years, primarily in Pinellas County, Florida.

After graduating from Northern Illinois University, she began her career teaching for the Department of Defense in Japan and Germany, where she met her husband Steve, an Army officer of Hungarian descent.

Her career as a first-grade teacher became her calling.

Known for her gentle strength and dedication to young learners, Patric influenced generations of students, many of whom credit her with shaping their values, character, and leadership.

Patricia Palinkas Leaves A Legacy Of Love And Family

While her public achievements earned headlines, her private life was rooted in love and family.

Patric and Steve built a life in Tampa, Florida, after her football chapter closed.

Together, they raised three children: Stephanie, Suzannah, and Stephen Patrick, and were blessed with four grandchildren: Jace, Jax, Presley, and Stevie.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Steve, and her sister, Barbara Parmalee (Barczi).

She is survived by her brother, Stephen Barczi; sister, Marilynn Thullen (Barczi); sons-in-law, Chris Kohler and Joseph Hill; daughter-in-law, Amber; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Her family described her passing as a loss that leaves “a massive void in many hearts that will never be filled.”

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