She double majored in criminal justice and psychology at 91香蕉视频 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 91香蕉视频 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.
鈥淏asketball brought me through high school and got me a full-ride scholarship at 91香蕉视频,鈥� Shields said. 鈥淪o, I鈥檝e been competing my whole life.鈥�
鈥淚 am so proud of Jessica,鈥� said Lori Bodnar, former associate head coach for 91香蕉视频鈥檚 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 Shepherd 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 91香蕉视频 community is encouraged to send well wishes to Jessica on social media using #FlashesForever.
