LEXINGTON, KY—Actress and activist Ashley Judd thought long
and hard about what her next step would be after announcing her decision not to run against Kentucky senator Mitch
McConnell in the 2014 election. Though she stated publicly that she wanted to
spend more time with her family, the original love of her life—professional
roller derby—quickly wooed her to the rink.
"I have to admit, I didn't put up much of a fight,"
Judd said around a mouthful of fried chicken as she watched her Rollergirls of
Central Kentucky teammates practice at Sanders Arena in downtown Lexington. "Putting
on a few extra pounds was the hardest part. But it's essential to my role as a
blocker."
Smashley Thudd, the moniker her fellow Rollergirls bestowed
upon Judd following her transformation from slim leading-lady to bruising
220-pound blocker, says her family supports her decision unequivocally.
"They were surprised, of course," Ms. Thudd said,
wiping cherry pie filling from her greasy mouth. "But it's not like Hollywood's knocking down
my door these days. Hell, I'm 45. Not young enough for the
Young-Mother-In-Peril roles anymore, not old enough for the Elder-Stateswoman
roles. But I've harbored this unrequited love for roller derby ever since I
watched it as a little girl back in the Seventies. So I figured, 'What the
hell.' Better do it while I'm still physically capable."
As Thudd donned her elbow pads, knee pads, and finally, her
helmet, a warm smile set her face aglow.
