At first sight, Amber Leigh Hartman seems almost too good to be true. On your dream girl checklist, she's got all the bases covered:
Attractive, yep.
Fun, you bet.
Loves sports. That doesn't even begin to cover it.
She claims she can throw a spiral in 5-inch heels and give you dead-on sports predictions while shopping. And now she's parlayed her passion and know-how of local sports teams into a blog called The Blonde Side.
After being selected as the first of the Dallas Cowboys Times' "Hot Football Babes," she hung around to talk sports with the guys. That conversation gave rise to The Blonde Side and a new sports celebrity in DFW.
Amber Leigh makes numerous game day-related appearances. The day before every Dallas Cowboys home game, she hosts an event with a Cowboys player at the Embassy Suites in Grapevine from 3 to 4 p.m. (the first one featured running back Tashard Choice). That evening, she hosts a pre-party at Duke's in Bedford with former Cowboys star cornerback Kevin Smith. Fours hours before every home game, she hosts a tailgate party with Cowboys legend Everson Walls.
And at Rangers home games, you'll usually find her sitting on the front row behind home plate. Kind of a blonde good luck charm. Watch for her during the playoffs.
In between all of this activity, she took a few minutes to answer, via e-mail, our burning questions about her life on The Blonde Side.
Favorite pro sports team: Texas Rangers (then my Dallas Cowboys).
Prediction for the playoffs: "I wouldn't be a true Rangers fan if I didn't say our boys are going all the way this year. I want it all, and I think no other team deserves a World Series more than the Texas Rangers. As for the playoffs, I would be happy splitting in Tampa, then winning both home games to take us into the Championship Series. I want to face New York in the ALCS and the Phillies or the Giants in the World Series."
What's your sport? I have played soccer and ran track growing up. I was a gymnast from age 3 to 14. And I was a varsity cheerleader and on dance team in high school. I started skiing when I could walk and switched to snowboarding at 15. I played powder-puff football every year in high school, as well as for Greek Life at New Mexico State (I was a member of Pi Beta Phi).
Dream job: My dream job would be to host a TV show similar to Chelsea Lately on E! with a focus on athletes and sports. I would also love to be an arena host for a pro-sports team. Ideally working in the sports/entertainment industry in sideline reporting, red carpet/player interviews, news anchoring, etc.
Favorite pro athlete: Dallas Cowboys' tight end Jason Witten No. 82.
Ever get hit on by the athletes you cover and would you/have you ever considered dating a pro athlete? When I am doing interviews with athletes, it is strictly professional. The guys are very respectful and always act appropriately. I wouldn't rule out dating a pro athlete, what's meant to be will be ... but a girl should never kiss and tell!
Tell us something about yourself that very few people know: I don't like getting flowers. I can't keep them alive, and I feel bad having to tell someone they have died. I'd rather get a bouquet of candles, lollipops, magazines ... anything but flowers.
Favorite place to hang out in DFW: Pro sporting events. Rangers, Cowboys, FC Dallas, Mavs, Stars ... I'm always there!
What's an example of your perfect night out? Going to a Rangers game (where we win,) then heading to a wine bar for drinks and appetizers. Somewhere more intimate, less crowded and less noisy.
Favorite food: I absolutely LOVE potatoes ... in every form. French fries, mashed, baked, curly fries, fried, scalloped, potato salad ... just not sweet!
Favorite restaurant: My dad's restaurant, Peppers Grill in New Mexico.
For this year's Super Bowl at Cowboys Stadium ... I will be hopefully be attending it or hosting a watching party somewhere for The Blonde Side.
How did you come up with the name for your blog? I was looking for a name that would let people know it was not all about boring stats. The whole idea for the blog is based on 'HIS sports through HER eyes.' Plus it has a light tone and I get to implement my sassy personality.
You also write another piece called "First Down." What's that about? It is a Top 10 list for the site sharing a humorous list of various sports-related topics
Even though you were raised in Colorado, have you always been a Cowboys fan? Yes, I have always loved the Cowboys. My dad is a big Cowboys fan, so I have cheered for them since I was a kid.
What would you say is the coolest experience you'd had since doing The Blonde Side? Doing the calendar. Paige (Osborne) and I were asked to sign one at a Rangers game, and it was probably the best feeling ever to have someone know who you are in sea of people.
Follow The Blonde Side at dallascowboystimes.com or at twitter.com/TheBlondeSide. The Blonde Side calendar, featuring Amber Leigh and some of her hot friends, is now available at theblondesidestore.com. There you can also find out how to enter to win a date with Amber Leigh that will include a limo to a 2011 Texas Rangers home game and front-row seats behind home plate.
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