Can men and women play on the same football team?

This story took a few minutes to sink in. So, Mo Isom is a soccer-goalie with the LSU university team in Louisiana. And she's been spotted on the training field with the male American Football team on-campus, the Tigers.

Mo Isom

It seems she's been in discussions with the coaches, and will try out in the spring for a place on the team. She's not the first, see this post on Jen Hilton in the UK. And ESPN reports here that Kate Hnida was on the University of Colarado team with disastrous results for her safety and health; constant sexual harassment and she says she was raped but never felt able to name her attacker because of the culture in the sport and attitude to women who speak out about sex-crimes.

Isom has been training for eight months so far, and according to local reports is looking like a solid kicker for the team if she makes it.

Irish blogger and American Football fan, Emmet Ryan thinks: "Mo Isom couldn't have found a better place to take her shot. LSU's coach, Les Miles, has never been afraid to be creative and the fans won't question him using a female kicker. There's a solid recent history of soccer players moving into kicking roles on American Football teams so if Isom has the leg she'll have a great chance at making it."

So - is she taking on too much? can women play against men in such a physical game? 

Thanks to Action81 for drawing my attention to this one.