KEY POINTS

Utahn Sharlene Wells — a former Miss America and ESPN sports broadcaster — reflects back on a career rich in sports memories and life lessons.

Wells began her sports journalism career as a BYU football sideline reporter.

The retired journalist marvels at today's vast pool of talented female TV sports reporters and broadcasters.

Sharlene Wells left her reign as Miss America off her resume when she applied for a sports reporter job at ESPN almost 40 years ago.

The Utahn didn’t want to be defined by her pageant celebrity when venturing to become one of the network’s first female sports reporters.

She also understood that some at ESPN might have preconceived notions before even meeting her.

Instead, Wells was simply hoping for the opportunity to earn her stripes — and the res

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