The unfortunate NFL tryout for female kicker, Lauren Silberman

Lauren Silberman set up for the kickoff, ran towards the tee and booted the ball. The result was both hilarious and sad.

Silberman was the first woman to compete at an NFL combine. Last week I argued that one day we’ll see a woman compete in the NFL, albeit at a specialty position like kicker or punter. Silberman took those hopes and dreams and shattered it in a singe kick.

Silberman claimed the poor kick was due to an injury but as USA TODAY informs us, the sheer pressure of the situation caused her to fumble the ball on the tee. Moreover it appears the whole thing may have been nothing more than a publicity stunt.

Hnida, who is battling back from a blood clot that’s put her Arena League career on hold, also didn’t see the awkward nine steps backward and five steps sideways as Silberman lined up 6 yards behind the ball instead of the standard approach of 10 or more yards.

Three kickers who tried out along with Silberman Sunday said the former MIT student asked a few of them how to approach the ball on the kick. The kickers spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because they didn’t want to hurt their chances of getting another tryout with a team.

Something stinks here and it’s not just Silberman’s form. This was a disgrace to the NFL, the combine, athletes everywhere and above all, women. Somewhere, deep in the heart of Texas State’s campus, Armadillo kicker Kathy Ireland sheds a tear.