Patricia Palinkas

Biography

Patricia Palinkas (born Patric Barczi, 1943–June 21, 2025) was the first woman to have played American football professionally in a predominantly male league. She was a holder for her husband Stephen Palinkas for the Orlando Panthers of the minor league Atlantic Coast Football League. She was the only woman professional American football player until Katie Hnida signed with the Fort Wayne Firehawks in 2010.