If you think Sir Purr is cool — and he is, Robby Anderson — may we introduce you to “Panther Pat.” Scratch that. Better idea: Eli Manning and Robin Roberts can introduce you to Pat Palinkas aka “Panther Pat.”
Manning, the two-time Super Bowl champion (and MVP) former New York Giants quarterback, and Roberts, the co-anchor of ABC’s Good Morning America and president of Rock’n Robin Productions, have signed on to Ashley Brandon‘s team as executive producers of Brandon’s Oscar-qualified documentary short Panther Pat, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
In 1970, Palinkas became the first woman to play professional football when she stepped onto the field for the Orlando Panthers in the old Atlantic Coast Football League (ACFL).
“A schoolteacher with no playbook and everything to prove, she shocked the nation with her appearance and was quickly forgotten,” the Panther Pat logline reads. Further, the doc “resurrects this high-stakes moment in sports history, tracing how one woman challenged the gender barrier of America’s game.”
The 12-minute documentary uses original sit down interviews, archival footage from the actual events, and “clever doll puppetry and stop-motion filmmaking” to recreate her historic and high-stakes debut, as the short film’s reps describe it. It’s sort of the ultimate Barbie pretend play — just with even bigger shoulder pads.
Palinkas entered the game as placeholder for her husband Steve Palinkas, the Panthers kicker, on extra points. It… didn’t go great — not at first, at least.
“When we first discovered Pat Palinkas’ story, we couldn’t believe such a groundbreaking moment in sports history had largely disappeared from public memory,” Brandon said in a statement. “Pat did something no woman had done before her, and we’re incredibly grateful to her family for trusting us to share her story with audiences.”
“I’m thrilled to partner with Ashley Brandon and Switchboard to help tell the incredible story of Pat Palinkas, the first woman to ever play professional football,” Manning said. “Pat broke barriers in the sport more than 50 years ago, and her courage and determination helped pave the way for future generations of women in sports. As someone who has spent my entire life around football, it’s amazing to me that a story like Pat’s has gone largely untold. I’m proud to be part of a project that celebrates her legacy and gives her the recognition she deserves.”
Panther Pat has been prowling around the festivals circuit. It has screen at Tribeca, Palm Springs International ShortFest, Florida Film Festival, Nashville Film Festival, Rooftop Films, Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival and Yellow Springs Film Festival. It won the Best Documentary Short Grand Jury Prize at Slamdance, received a Special Jury Mention at Mountainfilm, a Special Jury Mention for use of Mixed media at Calgary International Film Festival, and a Documentary Special Jury Mention at Indy Shorts.
In addition to Manning and Roberts, Mark Mitten, Diane Quon and Kelsey Trainor also executive produce. Panther Pat is produced by Dennis Höhne and Nevo Shinaar.
Panther Pat will screen at The Paley Museum in New York City on Nov. 9, 2026; Manning will be in attendance.