I played rugby at the college and club levels in the 90s. In college occasionally we'd have coed practices with the women's team. They gave no quarter! It made no difference that we were bigger men. Those women brought the boom. I'm soooooo proud as an American to watch them succeed but watching the women's sport grow all over is a wonderful thing.
I played college in the mid-late 90’s and club afterwards and every woman I met through rugby was incredibly capable, self-assured, and amazing! I recall reading about Ilona when she was at Quinnipiac and there was no doubt in my mind she was going to do great things!
@johns3106 I bet you love your daughter as much as I love mine! You know what makes me most proud of her? She's a phenomenal mother to my two granddaughters!
Much love to you & your beautiful daughter! I'm definitely excited for more women like Ilona to keep disspelling the myth some believe that athletic and burly, broad, built women aren't feminine, beautiful & exquisite! I hope your baby girl's heart & confidence are impacted in the best way as she sees Ilona & other girls like her. 🩷
I grew up an overweight kid but quite athletic for my size. Started playing football when I was 7 and played offensive line for 11 years. It was the only time in my life that I was ever appreciated for my size and aggression so I can only imagine how under appreciated young plus size females feel. Don’t know how old your daughter is or if she’s athletic but try to get her into rugby, wrestling, or jiu jitsu. Something where she can be appreciated for what God gave her. She’ll thank you for it later.
True enough. But also the first American medal in Olympic rugby in 100 years! Last American medal in Rugby was by the men in 1924. So truly an historic event.
@@andrewr62 lol the funny thing was in 1920 there were only 2 teams in it France n USA not a great win really and in 1924 again only 3 teams in it still not a great win England Australia (aotearoa/new Zealand weren't there lol still a wins a win aeee
@@superhoriguy3164 True enough, but the bronze was indeed 100 years later. Just not our game. This medal in itself could very well a one time event as all the stars of this team already announced their retirement.
I’m a 6’1 210 pound man that’s decently athletic. If I saw Ilona Maher in the gap I’m running the other way as fast as I can. But if I saw her at a restaurant I’m probably gonna ask for her number.
I'm from New Zealand and our female rugby sevens team won the Olympic Gold. I have always felt they were great role models and very feminine. Hey Ilona we would love to have you play in New Zealand.
Omg, you just nailed the one thing that makes MY head explode. So many beautiful, strong, capable women & Hollywood sticks with that outdated skinny girl thing. Annoying.
Ilona IS Beast, Beauty and Brains. Her personality is tops, sense of humor great. Sounds like a perfect role model for young girls who wish to pursue the sport of rugby.
I love her. Im truly obsessed. Im so glad that girls have someone like her to look up to+realise that they dont have to pick one thing. You can be big and strong, feminine+beautiful, athletic+girly. You do not have to fit in one box. Do it all. ❤
She is a tough cookie..she is an olympian..she is strong and she can handle a good punch and a tackle in the field. Nothing to worry about, in my opinion.👍👏🏼
I loved watching her and her team. The enthusiasm was infectious. I want to see more. And, to me, the top was after they took the Bronze, her response was about everyone but herself. Amazing woman and she deserves all the positive attention and more. Great ambassador for her sport and role model for young girls.
Athletic women have always been attractive , the little men have just been given audience. She is beautiful inside and out. Actually, she is way hot on the outside.
As a rugby fan and a girldad of a great athlete, it's great to see athletes of all kinds excelling in their sport. She is AWESOME and a great face to not only US Women's rugby but for all female athletes!
You are an amazing specimen of a woman. Beautiful, talented, funny, intelligent, and your drive is out of this world. Hate and jealousy are a drug. Unfortunately, some people love drugs. Keep doing your thing. Don’t let nothing stop you!
The lady interviewing the athlete calls herself 'old' because she would rather be a 'journalist' than an actual athlete. Never EVER call yourself old if you're more than capable of being a journalist. ALWAYS be open minded to new opportunities.
This is awesome! I love her, and I love this!! Thank you for opening up such an awesome avenue for women! This is revolutionary! Thank you and God bless you Ilona and God bless you all for doing this incredibly empowering interview! I love it!!
Beyond her Physique, I love that she is a really talented RUGBY PLAYER ! /// CBS didn't get it , not only a an athlete, she is developing talent as a Rugby player and she needs some help from the Rugby world !
"I won't hit you hard"... SMASH! Sadly, I know that wasn't even hard for Ilona, and I still felt myself breaking while watching that hit. My daughter went to college with her. Didn't know her well, but said she seemed like a super nice woman.
I’ve never watched Rugby but have now watched all her games at the Olympics. She’s so cool! Her socials are hilarious.
I played rugby at the college and club levels in the 90s. In college occasionally we'd have coed practices with the women's team. They gave no quarter! It made no difference that we were bigger men. Those women brought the boom. I'm soooooo proud as an American to watch them succeed but watching the women's sport grow all over is a wonderful thing.
I played college in the mid-late 90’s and club afterwards and every woman I met through rugby was incredibly capable, self-assured, and amazing! I recall reading about Ilona when she was at Quinnipiac and there was no doubt in my mind she was going to do great things!
I loved reading this. Thank you for sharing!!! 💗🫶🏽
God bless and protect you and yours!
As the father of a burly girl, I wish there were many more role models like this!
@johns3106 I bet you love your daughter as much as I love mine! You know what makes me most proud of her? She's a phenomenal mother to my two granddaughters!
Much love to you & your beautiful daughter! I'm definitely excited for more women like Ilona to keep disspelling the myth some believe that athletic and burly, broad, built women aren't feminine, beautiful & exquisite! I hope your baby girl's heart & confidence are impacted in the best way as she sees Ilona & other girls like her. 🩷
"burly"
I grew up an overweight kid but quite athletic for my size. Started playing football when I was 7 and played offensive line for 11 years. It was the only time in my life that I was ever appreciated for my size and aggression so I can only imagine how under appreciated young plus size females feel.
Don’t know how old your daughter is or if she’s athletic but try to get her into rugby, wrestling, or jiu jitsu. Something where she can be appreciated for what God gave her. She’ll thank you for it later.
Wrong, it's obvious she's taking steroids; and that is bad for the heart and a bad example.
She is a beautiful woman athlete and also beautiful on the inside with positive vibes
A few days ago, I didn't even know her. Now she is one of my favorite athletes.
What a woman!❤❤
She’s AMAZING! I admire her so much!
I am now a rugby fan because these are the kinds of role models our daughters and granddaughters need. ❤
Annnnnnnnd... she just won a historic bronze medal!!🎉
😊
True enough. But also the first American medal in Olympic rugby in 100 years! Last American medal in Rugby was by the men in 1924. So truly an historic event.
@@andrewr62 lol the funny thing was in 1920 there were only 2 teams in it France n USA not a great win really and in 1924 again only 3 teams in it still not a great win England Australia (aotearoa/new Zealand weren't there lol still a wins a win aeee
She 😂😂😂😂
@@superhoriguy3164 True enough, but the bronze was indeed 100 years later. Just not our game. This medal in itself could very well a one time event as all the stars of this team already announced their retirement.
She’s an awesome human being
I concur.
Agree so much with you!!🙌🏽💯❤️
*She is beautiful, smart and strong!* 💗💗
Now this is body positivity!! Go USA! USA!
She IS the perfect person. I learned about her todayyyyy... Wow what a wonderful person. How inspiring is THAT. I'm on board fully.
I follow her on instagram! Beautiful and strong! It’s great to see her representing the USA in the Olympics!
I’m a 6’1 210 pound man that’s decently athletic. If I saw Ilona Maher in the gap I’m running the other way as fast as I can. But if I saw her at a restaurant I’m probably gonna ask for her number.
liar!
Nailed it.
Love this! 🫶
Behave fanny pack Danny
I think she is amazing. Love her, a real role model for women
She's stronger and more fit than any of the people who have said negative things about her.
💯
She's big, beautiful and STRONG.....go girl go‼️‼️‼️💯💯👊🏽👊🏽👊🏽👊🏽
Yes, love seeing the powerful women being themselves, both girly girl and tough.
“ i wont hit you hard” *knocks over the news anchor* lmao hahaha
What an amazing, well-rounded, full human being. Truly a role model everyone should follow.
I'm so proud of her. What a great Olympian.
She’s a fantastic role model for young women around the country and we couldn’t be prouder!
I'm from New Zealand and our female rugby sevens team won the Olympic Gold. I have always felt they were great role models and very feminine. Hey Ilona we would love to have you play in New Zealand.
She would fit right in down here in New Zealand - we appreciate people like ilona.
Fantastic-couldn't be a better advocate for women's rugby-Bravo and congrats on the Olympic medal!! 😀
Ilona Maher is one hell of an athlete.
A role model for both women and men.
I know she's muscular and the frame and everything. But she reminds me of Geena Davis honestly. The face is similar IMHO.
Well noticed. She does look like Geena Davis. Cheers.
She's a large woman, but she's a real woman. There's not a dam thing wrong with that.
5’10 210lb and doing weighted pull ups!! Power is beauty 💪 she is beautiful 😊
PORTIA WOODMAN got me into Rugby and Im happy MAHER does not give up and happy we can have a cool person to inspire other girls!
Portia is a freaking Monster! I'm 6' 240 lb athletic man and she would absolutely terrify me.
Love watching Ilona Maher play!
The next time I see some skinny actress playing a super hero, my head is going to explode!
Omg, you just nailed the one thing that makes MY head explode. So many beautiful, strong, capable women & Hollywood sticks with that outdated skinny girl thing. Annoying.
Ilona IS Beast, Beauty and Brains. Her personality is tops, sense of humor great. Sounds like a perfect role model for young girls who wish to pursue the sport of rugby.
Let's just call her the "real" Miss America!
😂 _Sure!_
Maher is amazing! Mad respect!
I love her. Im truly obsessed. Im so glad that girls have someone like her to look up to+realise that they dont have to pick one thing. You can be big and strong, feminine+beautiful, athletic+girly. You do not have to fit in one box. Do it all. ❤
She is awesome!!!
This woman is a REAL woman, gorgeous, strong, smart ALL of it ... she is GOLDEN.
What a beautiful woman! Wow.
No.
Congrats to her and the USA Rugby Team.
Love this woman! Beautiful, strong and a woman. Woo. A fan!
She’s in great shape!!
I really like Nate. He was on some other shows I watched and seems to be so kind.
She really is inspiring!
Exactly! Rugby requires this type of physics! Man or women! She is great! AND DOING GREAT!! She performs! Point blank..
She is a tough cookie..she is an olympian..she is strong and she can handle a good punch and a tackle in the field. Nothing to worry about, in my opinion.👍👏🏼
She is the best
She's a beauty who's a beast!
I loved watching her and her team. The enthusiasm was infectious. I want to see more. And, to me, the top was after they took the Bronze, her response was about everyone but herself. Amazing woman and she deserves all the positive attention and more. Great ambassador for her sport and role model for young girls.
Love it. Body positivity, representing all the strong and powerful women out there. And she brings the RUCKUS
I love her so much
She's a proper badass and a lovely human being. A role model for any of us with that attitude, humility, and herculean athletic ethic.
Athletic women have always been attractive , the little men have just been given audience. She is beautiful inside and out. Actually, she is way hot on the outside.
she is the best. what an amazing woman!
You've all got a new fan in me!
Shes a Unit
What a woman 🥰
impressive women! go girl, go!
As a rugby fan and a girldad of a great athlete, it's great to see athletes of all kinds excelling in their sport. She is AWESOME and a great face to not only US Women's rugby but for all female athletes!
She's the best of all the worlds...
Love this girl!strong,smart,beautiful. She is the whole package.
You are an amazing specimen of a woman. Beautiful, talented, funny, intelligent, and your drive is out of this world. Hate and jealousy are a drug. Unfortunately, some people love drugs. Keep doing your thing. Don’t let nothing stop you!
Roller Derby too 😊
She’s awesome I hope and pray the best for her and team USA!!
You rock young lady ❣️
If she were my daughter, I would be so proud of this young lady. Strong, Confident, and a beautiful woman!
I like her. I love how she maximizes her athletic ability and plays a sport that fits her physical attributes.
This is actually real body positive, because she is strong, and in great shape. She is doing something big, playing great for her team. This is great.
You’re not doing that thing where you put other women down to raise one up? Because she doesn’t need you to do that for her.
She is the best 🔥
Ilona please come back to new Zealand 😊
Adore her!!! Just crossed off a bucket list item off by seeing the All Blacks in person last month.
The lady interviewing the athlete calls herself 'old' because she would rather be a 'journalist' than an actual athlete. Never EVER call yourself old if you're more than capable of being a journalist. ALWAYS be open minded to new opportunities.
She looks great … and she has a wonderful smile… what’s not to like!
This is awesome! I love her, and I love this!! Thank you for opening up such an awesome avenue for women! This is revolutionary! Thank you and God bless you Ilona and God bless you all for doing this incredibly empowering interview! I love it!!
She is great and absolutely hilarious. My daughters follow her and love her
Love Ilona ♥️ She is Great Role Model
This is beautiful! 💕
🙌🏾🙌🏾💪🏾💪🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Amen!! I would have loved doing this. Fabulous sport
I hope she didn’t hurt that reporter. If that were me I probably would have had something broken! 😂 Go, Ilona!! USA USA
She's great!
Inspiring!
3:13 That was pretty hard lol
Beyond her Physique, I love that she is a really talented RUGBY PLAYER ! /// CBS didn't get it , not only a an athlete, she is developing talent as a Rugby player and she needs some help from the Rugby world !
She's awesome.
She’s absolutely amazing! She’s a freaking beast of a goddess!
loved that tackle lol
She's awesome
she's IN-CREDIBLE! what a FORCE. and a epic package of a strong woman 🏅
Watching her makes me tear up, I don't know why.
And here we are today! Hopefully after DWTS she’s back to playing rugby!
Editor: This should be de-interlaced, or not interlaced when exported if it's not to begin with.
Love her❤
Rugby 🏉🏉🏉 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸for the demonstration. We are competitive that's all. I'm happy Rugby 🏉 in America is moving again.
Thank you Mike Ditka.
When her career is over she should get into old school bodybuilder. 😍
💯
She has a great starting base for that.
When the world somtimes puts peopel in boxes trans , gay ,butch she jumps right out , this is what healthy is well balanced
1:41 DAMN THAT FLOWY DRESS LOOKS STUNNING ON HER! I always envy girls with shoulder like her. Looks structured and stunning.
GO USA
Good for her... 🙂
"I won't hit you hard"... SMASH! Sadly, I know that wasn't even hard for Ilona, and I still felt myself breaking while watching that hit.
My daughter went to college with her. Didn't know her well, but said she seemed like a super nice woman.