Welcome to the Official Home of #33 Donna “The Animal” Wilkinson
Welcome to the official site of Donna Wilkinson — a 17-year veteran of women’s professional football, three-time National Champion with the D.C. Divas, two-time Gold Medalist with Team USA, and one of the most accomplished players in the history of the sport.
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Donna’s career redefined what is possible. She broke records, inspired generations, and stepped onto fields where women were never expected to thrive. This site shares her journey, her achievements, and the historic moments that shaped the landscape of women’s football.
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The D.C. Divas became the foundation of my football legacy. Across 17 seasons, our team rose to the top of the sport and claimed three National Championships — in 2006, 2015, and back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2016.
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Those championships were the result of years of discipline, leadership, and a team culture built on accountability and belief. We competed in one of the toughest eras of women’s football, facing powerhouse programs and delivering when the stakes were highest.
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The 2006 title marked the arrival of the Divas as a national force. A decade later, our 2015 and 2016 back-to-back championships cemented our place in history, showcasing resilience, depth, and a standard of excellence that defined our program.
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After those back-to-back titles, President Barack Obama invited us to the White House, honoring our team for the history we made and the legacy we carried forward.
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These victories remain some of the most meaningful achievements of my career — moments where preparation met purpose and a team of women stepped fully into their power.
DC Divas: A Championship Legacy
POTUS and FLOTUS welcomed the Divas with open arms, congratulating the team on a championship season and taking a photo with the players. It was an unforgettable moment in our history and a day we will always remember.
D.C. Divas recognized by President Barak and Michelle Obama at the White House!
Women’s World Championships: A Golden Legacy
My journey advanced to the global stage when I earned a place on the United States Women’s National Team. Competing at the Women’s World Championships placed us on the biggest stage in tackle football, where the standard was excellence and the mission was Gold.
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In 2010, we traveled to Sweden for the inaugural Women’s World Championships and dominated the tournament, bringing home the first Gold Medal in U.S. women’s football history.
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Three years later, we carried that legacy into Finland for the 2013 Women’s World Championships, delivering one of the most commanding performances in USA Football history and bringing home a second consecutive Gold Medal.
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2010 Team USA
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Donna was selected to play for Team USA in the historic first World Championships of women’s tackle football in Stockholm, Sweden in 2010.
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Team USA shut out every opponent and claimed the Gold Medal in dominant fashion.
2013 Team USA
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The 2013 World Championships of Women’s Football in Vantaa, Finland delivered one of the most unforgettable performances in USA Football history.
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On July 4th, the United States overwhelmed Germany 107–7 — the most dominant championship game ever recorded.
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Team USA carried that momentum through the tournament and defeated Canada to secure their second consecutive Gold Medal.
We Tackle The World Trailer - 2013 Team USA
Women's Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
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Honored at the 2018 Women’s Football Hall of Fame Ceremony in Las Vegas, Nevada — a defining moment in my football journey.
Motivational Speaker
Pictures by Scott Robinson
Looking for a speaker who brings authenticity, strength, and lived experience?
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Donna shares her journey of passion, perseverance, and transformation from a 17-year career in women’s tackle football — a story featured in Feminine Voices – Real Stories of Women Transforming Leadership.
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Her talks blend personal storytelling with insight on women’s empowerment, conscious leadership, human performance, health and nutrition, wellness technology, and strengthening team identity in ways that elevate collective purpose and performance.
WUSA-TV9 "GAME ON" Sports Analyst
Donna spent three seasons as a sports analyst for Game On on WUSA-TV9 in Washington, D.C. Her firsthand experience inside the locker room gives her analysis a depth and clarity rarely seen in the industry.
She worked alongside Hall of Famer Darrell Green, Commanders sack leader Dexter Manley, and USA Today columnist Christine Brennan.
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Donna is available for on-air commentary, expert analysis, and television or media interviews for those seeking an authentic, experienced voice in the game.
Writer/Author
Feminine Voices
True Stories by Women Transforming Leadership
A decade into my playing career, I authored my story in Feminine Voices – True Stories of Women Transforming Leadership, reflecting on the lessons that defined me.
Story #18
Uncharted Territory: Pioneering Women's Football
This book opens the door to my world — the choices, courage, and calling that led me into a game I was never expected to play. It shares what drove me to step onto fields built without me in mind, and why I walked toward them anyway.
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["There is nothing typical about choosing armor for battle, strapping on a helmet and shoulder pads, and hearing the click-clack of cleats echo through the tunnel as I step into the hallowed grounds of a football stadium.
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I walk toward the field with purpose, preparing for a mission that asks everything of me. I fling my body into the fray with absolute commitment, putting life and limb on the line to honor a passion that lives deep within.
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I chose to do what I was told I could never do — to step into an experience once held exclusively for men — and claim it as my own.")
"Donna is a two time Gold Medal winner on TEAM USA for Women's Football. Her story is about her journey of desire, breaking old paradigms and stepping into a new platform. So powerful!"
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~ Author Andrea Hylen
In the Community
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Donna has contributed to youth development through NFL Play 60 camps at the NFL Super Bowl in Dallas and at the White House, USA Football Heads Up clinics, American Heart Association programs, ACPS classroom teaching, and career day speaking. She coached the Special Olympics T.C. Williams Mighty Titans basketball team for three years.​​
