Reagan’s drive makes her one of a kind and she should be proud of herself for stepping outside of her comfort zone to try something she is passionate about – even if she is the only girl doing it.
Since last fall, Reagan has talked our ears off about playing football. At first, it was a hard no from Daddy – she was not going out there and getting tackled. But as I looked into options, I found out that the school has flag football. Daddy agreed and Reagan was ecstatic.
For the last year, she has been begging anyone and everyone to throw the football with her. At 8 years old, and with very little experience, she picked up the spiral throw quick. And even though she has taken a few to the face, she isn’t afraid to step toward the ball and catch it. We worked on a few moves – jab steps and spins – and she was eager to get into a game.
Flag football starts a little later than regular football, and she must have asked me 20 times if I signed her up – afraid that I would somehow forget (even with her million reminders). However, once the season started sneaking upon us, she started to get a little nervous. She didn’t actually know how to play the game of football.
After I explained to her that they would teach her the game at practice and she would be just fine, she dropped that worry and picked back up the excitement. That is until the week of her first practice when some apprehension snuck in about something else – she would most likely be the only girl on the field.
At first, I think the thought of her being the only girl excited her. However, as she got closer and closer to the real thing, the fact that she would probably be the only girl intimidated her a bit. She wasn’t quite as sure about it now that it was time to actually be out there with all boys.
Most of the time, I am totally winging my pep talks with my kids, but this moment, this was like my all time I-am-ready-for-this parenting moment.
You see, I was the girl out on the basketball court in front of my house playing with all the boys all summer long – or down at the park or at the YMCA earning a right to be picked in an all boy pickup game. I knew how she felt down to every wing on each anxious and excited butterfly in her belly.
We chatted about her worth and ability – and how she just needed to go out there and do her best – reminding her of the time she had put in practicing. And then I looked that little girl in the eye and let her know that the fact that she knows what she loves and goes after it is one of my favorite things about her. That her drive makes her one of a kind and she should be proud of herself for stepping outside of her comfort zone to try something she is passionate about – even if she is the only girl doing it.
She smiled that great big “I got this” smile and was ready to practice.
Thankfully, she also has a good buddy playing with her. When one of the boys started in on her at the very first practice about being a girl playing football, her friend Broxton told him to stop making fun of her and added that she was actually really good. And that was all that was needed for Reagan to feel right at home in the sport.
This season, she has learned a ton about the game, run drills, caught passes, thrown balls, hiked to the quarterback, chased down flags on defense and even scored two touchdowns. But even more than that, she has learned that she has a true friend in B – someone willing to stick up to all the boys about her. My mama heart is so thankful for his kindness (his parents are pretty awesome too).
But, beyond all those lessons on the field, she has further instilled in herself the strength she has inside her to be exactly who she is. The amount of courage and authenticity embodied in this little girl is downright admirable. She was definitely not the best on the field and oftentimes looked a little lost (as she is still learning), but that never once stopped her from giving it her all and soaking in every single part of it.
As the season draws to a close this weekend, I am so thankful that she had the opportunity to get out there and do what she loves. I have no doubt that she will keep working in the off season and be back out there next year. Who knows, maybe even a few more girls will join. But even if they don’t, she will still be out there playing football with all the boys.
Sarah (Pitson) Shrader was born and raised in Lima. She is a Lima Central Catholic and Tiffin University graduate. Sarah is a full-time working mama who enjoys writing about her somewhat crazy, always adventurous life as a mother. She lives in Bath Township with her daughters and writing inspirations, Maylie and Reagan.
