Unsung Champions: Film Unearths Legacy of Toledo's Women's Football Dynasty

TOLEDO, Ohio – January 20, 2026 – The long-overlooked story of the most dominant team in professional football history is finally getting its national debut. Today, the documentary We Are the Toledo Troopers launched nationwide, led by its release on Amazon, bringing the saga of a trailblazing women's football dynasty to audiences across the country. The film, produced by Toledo-based Anserina Films, chronicles the team's incredible journey and solidifies their place in the annals of American sports.

The documentary's national rollout was celebrated with a private screening in Toledo, where former players and the film's creators gathered to watch their local story ascend to a national stage. Available on Amazon and other platforms like Verizon Fios, the film aims to correct a significant omission in sports history, ensuring the legacy of these pioneering women is no longer forgotten.

The Unsung Dynasty: Reclaiming a Legacy

Long before the modern era of professional sports, the Toledo Troopers established a record of dominance that remains unparalleled. Between 1971 and 1977, the team captured seven consecutive national championships, playing in the Women's Professional Football League and later the National Women's Football League. Their staggering success, which included a 47-1 record under legendary coach Bill Stout, earned them official recognition from the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983 as the “winningest team in professional football history.”

Despite this official acknowledgment, their story has largely remained a piece of local lore, a footnote in the broader narrative of American football. The documentary seeks to change that. It highlights the on-field brilliance of stars like running back Linda Jefferson, one of only four women inducted into the American Association Football Hall of Fame, who rushed for six 1,000-yard seasons. These women were not just playing a game; they were excelling at the highest level, executing full-contact tackle football with skill and tenacity.

“Releasing on Amazon means this story can finally reach the audience it deserves,” said director Jonathan Kimble in a press statement. “The Troopers were pioneers, champions, and cultural trailblazers — and now their legacy is available to viewers everywhere.” The film's release on a major streaming platform provides the visibility necessary to re-introduce the Troopers' achievements into the national consciousness, validating the struggle and success of a team that defied all expectations.

Pioneers in a Pre-Title IX World

The Troopers’ dynasty was not built in a vacuum. It rose during a pivotal and challenging period for women in sports. When the team was founded in 1971, the landscape was bleak. Title IX, the landmark federal law prohibiting sex-based discrimination in education programs receiving federal funds, was not passed until 1972 and would take years to be fully implemented. Before its passage, opportunities for female athletes were almost nonexistent.

In the early 1970s, a mere 2% of college athletic budgets were allocated to women's sports, and athletic scholarships for women were a rarity. Societal attitudes often dismissed female athletes, with prevailing stereotypes suggesting women were too “delicate” for strenuous competition. The very idea of women playing a violent, full-contact sport like football was considered radical, even illegitimate, by many.

Against this backdrop, the Toledo Troopers were more than a football team; they were a cultural phenomenon. By simply taking the field, they directly challenged prevailing gender norms. Their sustained success served as irrefutable proof of women's capability, resilience, and right to compete. While they were paid a pittance—sometimes as little as $25 a month—their commitment was to the sport and to each other. One former player described the documentary as a “long-overdue validation of their struggle and success,” a testament to the personal and collective battles they fought both on and off the field.

A City's Pride, A National Story

The heart of the Troopers' story is its deep connection to Toledo. The team was a source of immense community pride, a local institution that rallied the Glass City behind it. The documentary is itself a product of this local heritage. It was produced by Anserina Films, a division of the Toledo-based marketing agency Communica, Inc., and penned by Stephen Guinan and Guy Stout, the son of coach Bill Stout, who served as the team's waterboy during their championship run. This intimate connection gives the film an authentic voice, rooted in the community that fostered the dynasty.

Previously recognized at the prestigious Cleveland International Film Festival, the film's national launch transforms a beloved local legend into a national narrative. It confirms Toledo’s significant contribution to the history of women's sports and celebrates the bond between a team and its city. The private screening event in Toledo was not just a premiere but a reunion, a celebration of a shared history that now belongs to the entire country. The story of how a group of determined women from Ohio built a football empire serves as an enduring source of inspiration, highlighting themes of perseverance, equality, and the power of community support.

From Marketing to Moviemaking: The Strategy Behind the Screen

The creation of We Are the Toledo Troopers also marks a significant strategic milestone for its production company. Anserina Films is the dedicated film and video division of Communica, Inc., a marketing and public relations firm. The successful production and national distribution of a feature-length documentary represent a bold expansion beyond traditional agency work into the competitive world of content creation and entertainment.

According to the company, the name Anserina comes from the Latin term for “goose bumps,” reflecting its mission to create emotionally resonant and visually compelling stories. The documentary project, which was reportedly funded by an anonymous donor after a previous attempt to develop it as a feature film stalled, showcases the firm’s in-house capabilities, from scriptwriting to high-end production and post-production. By taking on a project of this scale and historical importance, the agency demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of modern branding, where powerful storytelling can elevate a company’s profile far beyond conventional advertising. This venture positions Anserina Films not just as a service provider for clients but as a creator of original content with cultural impact, a move that reflects the evolving landscape of marketing and media.