Breaking the Huddle: The Remarkable Story of Panther Pat with Eli Manning In Person

Join us at The Paley Museum for a special screening of Panther Pat, the award-winning short documentary telling the remarkable story of Patricia Palinkas, who in 1970 became the first woman to play professional football.

Directed by Ashley Brandon, the film revisits a groundbreaking yet largely forgotten moment in sports history, tracing how a schoolteacher from Florida stepped onto the field for the Orlando Panthers and shattered a gender barrier in America’s game.

Following the screening, two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning will moderate a special conversation exploring Pat’s extraordinary story, the making of the film, and its larger impact on sports and culture. The discussion will examine the barriers Pat faced, the evolution of women’s place in football, and why rediscovering trailblazing stories like hers matters more than ever.