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                                     26 || MOST FITNESS || FEBRUARY / MARCH 2016accomplishment. We look forward to seeing what part of the sports industry or other field Bonnie Jill plans on conquering next!MFM: As the first and only female NBA scout for the LA Lakers, did you ever have to deal with any discrimination or have to prove yourself more?BJL: The Lakers Organization was terrific about treating me as just another scout. It was people %u201con the road%u201d who reacted most of all. You have no idea how many people believed I was there to scout cheerleaders! It%u2019s actually funny looking back!MFM: What is the most challenging aspect of being a scout?BJL: One challenging aspect about being a scout is the travel. I have the absolute worst luck with airports and airplanes. I feel like I%u2019m constantly in the movie, %u201cPlanes, Trains and Automobiles%u201d haha!MFM: As both a former NBA and NFL cheerleader, how did it feel to make the jump from cheerleading to being in front of the camera as a host and working in broadcasting?BJL: I knew I was at home almost immediately. I always knew I wanted to work in sports. I studied broadcast journalism in college at the University of Texas, and I made sure to do my homework before every story. Sometimes it was a little difficult to hide my enthusiasm for my favorite teams, though.MFM: How did you land your first gig as an on-camera sports host?BJL: My first job as on camera host was for ESPN%u2019s %u201cSpeed World,%u201d which was quite fun covering all auto racing from Indy to NASCAR.MFM: You have a Super Bowl ring and five NBA Championship rings-do you have a display case at home or wear them ever?! BJL: That%u2019s a pretty amazing accomplishment, as there are still loads of athletes working to get those rings! If I tried to wear them all at once, I couldn%u2019t lift my hand! I do have a display case for each one of them, but I keep them 
                                
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