Patty Jervey was the first US woman to be named to the World Rugby Hall of Fame, and in fact she accomplished that feat before she was named to the US version.

No matter, any accolade she receives for her rugby career is deserved. probably the best back in the world for the first ten to 15 years of elite women's rugby, Jervey retired as the USA's most capped player (since passed by Jamie Burke), and she had an eye-popping strike rate.

Playing mostly at outside center, Jervey scored 38 tries in 40 test matches for the USA in an international career that spanned 17 years, starting in 1990 and ending in 2006 when she was 42. She didn't stop there. Having helped Florida State to multiple women's club titles in the early going, at 48 she helped the Atlanta Harlequins to a national club championship in 2012.

A brilliant sidestepper with pace and vision, Jervey was more than just a finisher, and more than just fast. She was excellent in all facets of the game, and a winner. She played in five World Cups, including three finals, and taking home one championship. She not only enjoyed a world-class career as a player, she did enough to cover two careers.

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