Who said females can’t play football with males?
Take a look at these four females who say girls can play boy’s football. They say so by their actions, by playing the sport.
#1 Mina Johnson
Another middle school girl, this time in Lasker, N.C., is the first girl to play football on her school’s team. Mina plays defense for Southhampton Academy. Mina sat out on Thursday, Oct. 6 due to the fact that the opposing team made threats to forfeit if she played. The Northeast Eagles, the opposing team, ended up losing 60-0. Mina did get to meet President Obama later in October, and he even signed a note to excuse her football practice absence. Instead of being at practice, Mina was at the White House listening to President Obama speak.
#2 Paris Jackson
Paris Jackson, who is the late Michael Jackson’s daughter, is the first female on her school’s flag football team. Paris is 13 years old, and she is a linebacker. Her team won the game on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 32-6. Paris was so excited about the win that she tweeted the score.
#2 Kayla Thompson
A seventh-grade girl in Austin, Texas, is getting the attention of the media as well as her teammates. Her name is Kayla Thompson, and she is the only girl on the West Ridge Wildcats football team at West Ridge Middle School. Kayla started as a wide receiver, but she progressed quickly to defense, running back and quarterback. In addition to football, she plays soccer and basketball.
#4 Blast from the past: Frankie Groves
Kayla is not the first female to play on a boys football team in Texas; Frankie Groves is. Frankie played right tackle in 1947, during which time she was a junior in high school. She caused an uproar in Stinnett, Texas, by playing football. On the day of the last game, one of the boys on the competing team showed up wearing a dress. In addition, her father resigned from the school board and the coach was fired. Her mother was embarrassed to show her face in public. Finally, the University Interscholastic League (UIL) passed a rule that forbid females from playing football. The rule passed by the UIL was golden, until 1993.
It is great to see girls go after their dreams, even when it is not the popular or easy thing to do.
More from Rebecca Bardelli:
Three Sports Movies with Actresses as the Athletes
Three Figure Skaters to Represent the U.S. at Skate Canada: Flatt, Nagasu and Wagner
Women’s U.S. Gymnastics Team Wins Gold Medal: The Women Behind the Medal
Female Celebrities Getting Their Daughters Involved in Athletic Activities: Witherspoon, Garner, and Holmes
Rebecca completed courses in Medical Terminology, Administrative Medical Assisting, and Coding and Billing. She is recognized by the National Healthcareer Association as a Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) and Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA). In addition, Rebecca is a former gymnast and is avid about swimming, jogging, and other athletic activities.