"Football Isn't Just For Guys"

I knew that the joints in my arms and knee's were aching, however I ignored it and kept playing. With forty seconds on the clock, the ball was hiked, and the pass was thrown. Touchdown. After the pass was thrown, I was sacked from the side and couldn't seem to move. The more I tried, the more I struggled. So, I just lay there, hoping, praying that someone would notice and not leave me to rot on the ground. What I saw next was a mixture of red and blue lights, and a dozen little, black blobs running towards me. The scenery around me was fading slowly, then blackout.

I am not your typical quarterback. I strived really hard to be where I am today, and because I am a girl, people's primary response to me is that I am crazy. No, I am not crazy. Football is my passion, it has been ever since my dad was killed about three and a half years ago. When my dad passed away, I made a promise to myself that I would accomplish something huge, something that most girls have never done before. Due to some financial complications, also due to my father screwing us over in illegal business deals, my goal was very limited. I wasn't able to start a humanitarian aid foundation to cure Cancer, I couldn't travel anywhere, therefore, I decided to look at the qualities I could do within my community.

One day at school, I was talking to some of my friends when I noticed a flyer for the upcoming year of football tryouts. My thoughts were saying to just go and check it out, but my common sense was telling me "no way!" I shoved the thought from my mind, and walked to class. Later that night, I was making dinner for my sisters and I. My mom has had issues with drinking ever since my dad died, and because of that, I took it upon myself to raise my little sisters. My mom was simply unfit to parent. At the dinner table, I asked the girls how their days went.

"Good," they would always say, but in their eyes I could see differently. My family always struggled. From money, to simply just getting along. But my the relationship between me and my sisters always kept me going, mostly for them. Then there, at the dinner table, I made my announcement.

"Guys, do you remember how I said that I've always wanted to accomplish something big? Well, I have an idea. I am going to try out for the football team next week."

Eyebrows shot up. "What?! But you're not big!"

"And you're a girl! I thought only guys could play football?" They replied back to me.

"I know it is a strange concept, but listen. I'm a fast runner, and I know I could get stronger. But just think of the surprised looks on people's faces when they see a girl take a sport, like football, into a different dimension. I know I can be great!" The girls were a little more excited about the idea after my explanation, and to be honest, so was I.

Monday finally arrived. The day where I can prove myself worthy of being just as good of a football player as any guy. I had no idea what to expect, and I did not know which position to go out for. I walked up to the coaches and introduced myself, "Hi. My name is Grace Jensen, and I would like the chance to play for our team." They just stared in disbelief.

"Do you know what you're saying, young lady? Do you know anything about football?"

"I do, sir. My dad was Stephen Jensen. He played all through high school and college. He taught me everything there is to know about football, even most of the plays." Again, just staring. I started to doubt my decision, but I held firm. "Can you kick?" the coach asked me. Little did he know that I actually played soccer the last six years. "Well, lets get me set up so I can show you." I replied.

We walked over to the goal posts and I set up my ball. I took three steps back, and two steps to the side. My muscles tensed as they were forced to move upon the ball in an accelerated motion, then impact. The ball flew threw the two poles of the goal post. I looked at the coaches, and they did what they were good at. They just stared. "Would you quit looking at me that way? Now look, I know I'm a girl, and I know that just that simple detail could be a major problem, but either give me the chance to play, or go on with your life never knowing what could have been." For a 17 year old girl, I made a pretty decent case.

"Practice starts now. Gear up. Are you sure you want to do this?" I could see a sense of despair in his eyes, and I knew that he was considering the consequences.

"I will prove to you that this was not a mistake. I will lead this team to a victory." I said as I walked towards the locker room.

During practice, the coaches announced that I would be joining the team. They also said that they will need everyone's support on this, and I agreed. We started doing conditioning drills, up downs. Lots of up downs, and we started doing a few plays. I mostly sat on the side lines the whole time. I was beginning to think that they wouldn't play me, but then coach shouted my name. "Jensen! Get in here." I ran onto the field and got ready for my punt. The center pitched the ball, and I made a perfect kick through the goal posts. The guys just stared. "Why do guys have such a bad staring problem?!" I said out loud, jovially. Play after play went on, and then practice was over.

I grabbed the ball, and started throwing it to one of my friends on the team. He was laughing and teasing me that I was crazy for wanting to do this. I assured him to just wait and see what would happen. What I didn't realize is that the coaches were watching me throw the ball, pretty large distances, to my friend. The next day at practice, I received some very shocking news......

TO BE CONTINUED