Crystal “Brolik” Stokes
Professional Athlete
Crystal “Brolik” Stokes~ single mom, athlete and USMC combat veteran.
Football Background/Timeline:
* I began playing Women’s Football in 2005 with the WPFL (Women’s Professional Football League), where I played with the So Cal Scorpions as a Defensive End (#61) from 2005-2007.
* In 2008, football was put on hold when I re-deployed to Iraq.
* August 2009, I transitioned out of the Marine Corps and began training MMA, unable to secure any fights, I returned to football in conjunction with training MMA.
* 2011 played in the WFA (Women’s Football Alliance) as a Defensive End (#93) with the San Diego Surge from 2011-2013. Sadly my 2011 season was cut sort due to a knee injury.
* I rehabbed relentlessly and played the 2012 & 2013 seasons.
* After the 2013 season, I took a break to let my body heal and to do what I considered to be the “Family Thing”; However, that break didn’t last long, and in 2014 began training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ).
* June of 2015 I had my daughter Neala and 6 months later, I competed in and won, my first Jiu Jitsu competition.
* 2017 I found a new type of strength and courage in order to remove my daughter and myself from the controlling, abusive and toxic relationship that had consumed my life in the shadows.
Once we were free, I started putting the pieces back together:
* October 2017 I made my Pro MMA debut in Japan. Two weeks later competed in my second figure competition, and one week after that placed 2nd in my first Strongman Competition.
* The start of 2018 brought new challenges mentally, emotionally, and spiritually when our abuser began attempting to reinsert himself in our lives (said he was going to make me suffer).
* Priorities changed, I filed for full legal and physical custody (still on going), all training ceased and focus shifted to my daughter and my mental/physical/spiritual health and how to protect, provide and rebuild our lives.
2019- Current:
* Gained sole physical custody (still working on Legal Custody) of my 4 year old daughter.
*This year also has brought me back to football:
* I played the 20019 season with the Women’s National Football Conference (WNFC) as a Defensive End (#93) for the San Diego Rebellion.
* I will continue to play for the Rebellion in the 2020 season starting in April.