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“It’s real football, they really tackle. The only thing I wish they would change is how they dress, because the women don’t agree with it but the owner makes them wear that. These women are by all means professionals on and off the field. They’ve got great careers, they’re mothers, everything. They just love the sport of football.

“They don’t get paid, they go unappreciated. I have a lot of respect for all of them.”

The Desire have since folded, but not before Bullitt realized he still has his own football dreams to turn into reality.

“That’s what really got me back into the game,” said Bullitt. “Last year, I actually had a chance to go with Calgary to their mini-camp, but I wanted to do the coaching. As a coach, I loved it but I still had that burning fire (to play), so when Edmonton came back to Dallas, I did a tryout and I did really well.

“They signed me and I went to rookie mini-camp in Vegas and I did well, now I’m here in training camp trying to make a name for myself.”

As his last name implies, Bullitt knows how to hit. Just ask fellow Eskimos linebacker Cory Greenwood, who was lost for the season after suffering a torn ACL after being on the receiving end of one during one-on-one drills on Day 2 of training camp.

“We were doing a regular tackling drill, something we’ve been doing since we were kids,” Bullitt said. “Literally, I just wrapped him up and then I just heard a grunt so I tried to hold him, keep him from falling down, and he fell down.

“I came to him afterwards and was like, ‘Man, by no means am I ever a dirty player.’ He’s been real encouraging, he’s a true leader. He still helps us out with everything we need and is somebody I look up to and respect.”

NEXT UP: The Eskimos will hold a walk-through session at Commonwealth Stadium from 10:40 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Saturday in preparation for Sunday’s preseason game against the visiting Calgary Stampeders (5 p.m., TSN, 630 CHED).

Email:gmoddejonge@postmedia.com

On Twitter: @GerryModdejonge