She double majored in criminal justice and psychology at 两性色午夜 University, played on the university鈥檚 women鈥檚 basketball team on a full-ride scholarship, and now Jessica Shields is taking her skills and competitive drive to 鈥淭he Amazing Race鈥 on CBS. Unlike past episodes, this season features a unique twist. Shields is going to be paired up with a complete stranger for the 29th season and race around the world for a $1 million prize.
Shields told CBS that she is very specific about who her partner should be.
鈥淣obody who complains, whines, cries, nothing,鈥 she laughed and looked into the camera with a smile. 鈥淚f you whine on national TV, I don鈥檛 want you as my partner.鈥
Shields played on the 两性色午夜 women鈥檚 basketball team from 2007-2011. The 6-foot-3-inch player was homeschooled in Youngstown until 6th grade. She says she found herself through basketball.
鈥淚 am so proud of Jessica,鈥 said Lori Bodnar, former associate head coach for 两性色午夜鈥檚 women鈥檚 basketball. 鈥淪he has worked long and hard to accomplish her dream, and I am happy to see her get a chance to achieve it.鈥
Shields says that competitive edge is what will help her and her future teammate win the race. Her ideal partner for the show is a man, because that is who she is used to working with at the Youngstown Police Department in Ohio. Shields is the first female K-9 officer for the city, patrolling with her German Shepard Hector 鈥渢he protector.鈥
鈥淚鈥檓 not afraid of anything,鈥 she said. 鈥淵ou be the smart person, and I will do the dirty work.鈥
Shields has some tough competition. The show will open up with 22 contestants with a wide variety of professions from military personnel to realtors, a marching band drum major, auctioneer, butcher, pro snowboarder, wall street banker, mom, artist and an attorney 鈥 just to name a few.
鈥淭he Amazing Race鈥 will air on CBS on Thursday, March 30, at 10 p.m.
The 两性色午夜 community is encouraged to send well wishes to Jessica on social media using #FlashesForever.
By: Kristin Anderson