What better way to welcome back football season than with the today’s Sports Babe of the Day?! This babe has been seen on CBS Sports, Comcast SportsNet and has worked for both Esquire and ESPN to name a few. Now, the Houston-native can be found on NBC with Sunday Night Football as their Social Host. By reader request, we present to you today’s Sports Babe of the Day, Lindsay McCormick!

Want to know more about Lindsay? Get to know her better in 19 questions!

19 QUESTIONS WITH LINDSAY MCCORMICK

(1.) What has been the hardest struggle that you have faced in your life and how did you overcome it?

Life is certainly not easy. We have all had our own experiences with death and sickness, whether it’s personal or a loved one. One of the reasons I love my job so much is because of the different people I get to work with and share different life experiences with. But in terms of my career, I would say the toughest challenge has always been getting people to look past the “unknowledgeable female” stereotype. (I’m sure the blond hair doesn’t help either.) I was raised around guys and around the game, so my favorite part of this career has always been discussing the ins and outs of the game. I’ve found that in many interviews/meetings men in particular will immediately look at you and before you open your mouth think, “Oh this should be good.” But that’s the time when you have to kick down those walls and break through tackles like LeSean McCoy. I got into writing to prove I knew what I was talking about and to build credibility. They can’t criticize you when they’re sitting there reading your work and using your facts and arguments to impress their friends.

(2.) What is your proudest accomplishment to date?

Being able to get up every morning with a smile on my face because I love my job. If I wasn’t doing this for a living, I would still be up early checking the team transactions on NFL.com, listening to ESPN News and reading the paper. Hosting your own show isn’t a bad accomplishment either. [Laughs]

(3.) If you could interview any one person right now who would it be and why?

I’m bending the rules. And these two would approve. My dream interview is Bill Walton and Charles Barkley. At the same time. Just process this for a second. I’ve had several discussions with Barkley, and Walton used to shop at my grocery store, so I know that there is a sane bone in each of them. However, when the red light on the camera goes on, you never know what you will get out of either of them. There would also be no use in preparing for that interview, because there is no way they would stay on topic.

(4.) Do you have a life statement or motto that you live by and if so will you share it with us?

John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success. It is impossible to be more brilliant than that man was. Lombardi was up there as well in my mind. My favorite quote from Wooden has to be, “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”

(5.) What are you currently listening to on your iPod?

Everything from Alabama Shakes and The Black Keys to Kanye West and Rihanna to even a little Spanish music. (After all, I did compete in Latin style ballroom for a while!)

(6.) Are you single, dating, or locked down?

A lady never kisses and tells. 😉

(7.) What would be your description of a perfect date?

I wish I was kidding with this answer, but I’m not. Takeout sushi with root beer and a great game on TV, plus, a massive FIFA/Madden competition equals Heaven for me. Let me pick my team first (usually Barcelona) and there will definitely be a second date.

(8.) What’s one of the last movies you went to see and what did you think about it?

I attended the premiere of Trail blazers and Seahawks owner Paul Allen’s new documentary, Girl Rising. I was blown away by the effect education has on women across the world. It can save lives. I wish I would have seen this film when I was younger and dreading my alarm every morning for school.

(9.) What advice would you give to your 16 year old self?

Don’t take life too seriously. Just enjoy every moment you are blessed to have and laugh. A lot.

(10.) If we opened your refrigerator right now, what would we find?

A lot of food. The ongoing joke between my friends is that I rob Whole Foods twice a week. I’m a health freak. My closest friends all make fun of me for my gluten-free breads and assortments of fruits and veggies. I’ll buy a vegetable party tray just for the heck of it. Ohh and those cheddar cheese cubes! Does it get any better than that!?

(11.) Who or what has been your inspiration and/or motivation in your life?

Bo. Jackson. (ENOUGH SAID.)

(12.) What advice do you have for women who are looking to become sportscasters?

It’s a tough industry for women. From dealing with professional athletes and coaches to even jealous male writers on media row who think you got to where they did solely based on your looks. Being a female is certainly a double-edged sword. On one hand it does open up many doors, because the majority of male viewers would rather look at a chick on the sidelines, but it also has challenges. Be prepared for those and fight off any stereotypes by having a knowledge of the game. Get to the point where you know so much about the game, men are coming to you asking for fantasy advice. That’s how you’ll earn respect and make a lasting career for yourself.

(13.) Name something you do when you’re alone that you wouldn’t do in front of others.

At this point, I have no shame. I’m not easily embarrassed and I spend a lot of time around guys, so nothing is off limits anymore. I even discussed the gross side effects that come along with having appendicitis on a primetime radio show once.

(14.) What are your guilty pleasures?

Dancing in my car in traffic. It just feels good. Also, my weekly dance classes at Alvin Ailey and being able to escape from reality for two hours with some of the most highly-trained individuals on the planet. If you surround yourself with the best, eventually you’ll become one of them…or at least not fall on your butt during a triple pirouette.

(15.) Do you have any pets or do you like animals?

I love animals, but I travel so often that I wouldn’t have time to take care of a dog. My family has two dogs at home, and we joke that one of them reminds us of Cam Newton because he never stops smiling and could destroy a 40 time.

(16.) Where do you see yourself five years from now? Are there any goals you have yet to achieve?

Wherever I’m supposed to be. I want to continue to keep climbing and keep struggling for every opportunity. It’s honestly, what makes this industry so much fun and helps you to appreciate everything. My dream job would be a sports show with Daniel Tosh and Charles Barkley…you’ll have to give me a few years to work on this one…

(17.) What one word describes you and why?

Stubborn. But, only when it comes to my career. I’m not going away anytime soon. I have too much passion for the industry and for the games of football and basketball to just stop now. Noah would have to build his ark again, and God would have to make it flood to get me to give up, and he already promised not to. Yeah, sometimes there are stumbling blocks and sometimes you create those stumbling blocks on your own, but if you genuinely know what you are talking about and have a passion, that can overcome everything. “No” is not in my vocabulary.

(18.) How do you want to be remembered?

As a woman who was passionate about her craft and treated others even better than she treated herself. My dad taught me that we were put on this earth to serve other people. Whether that is through providing a service for sports fans to accompany the game, or just lending a hand to another person who needs it. It’s all about serving.

(19.) Who would you recommend for the next Sports Babe of The Day feature?

Mila Kunis. She should be nominated/recommended for everything. That girl rocks!

The return of football is enough to make any sports fan giddy, but add in the beauty and smarts of Lindsay?! TOUCHDOWN!! [B.J. Raji dance ]