Two weeks ago Sarah Fuller was the goalie for Vanderbilt University, anchoring her team to the SEC Championship. After the game, she began planning a trip home for the holidays to spend with her family. However, she received a phone call from her coach. Apparently, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd string kickers for the Vanderbilt football team were diagnosed with Covid-19. The team was in a bind and began calling around campus to find someone to fill in. Sarah’s coach recommended her. When she heard about the opportunity, Sarah replied, “I’ll be there within the hour.”
For the first time in her life, Sarah donned shoulder pads and a helmet. She practiced for a week, this time with a new kind of ball. When game day arrived, she wore jersey number, 32, the same number she wears when playing goalie. On her helmet, she placed a quote, “Play Like a Girl.” Now, unfortunately, the Vanderbilt football team is not very good this year. They never scored a touchdown and didn’t even get close enough for a field goal. The only opportunity Sarah had to play was when her team kicked off to start the second half – not exactly a Rudy story. Still, Sarah became the first woman to play football in a Power Five football game.
Sarah performed her singular duty admirably. After the game she was interviewed and spoke proudly of her experience. “It’s just so exciting that I can represent the little girls out there who wanted to do this or thought about playing football or any sport, really,” Sarah said after the game.
Your Turn: What do you think about Sarah playing in this football game this weekend?
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Sarah being the first woman to play in a power 5 game is cool. It would’ve been better if she got the chance to kick a field goal or pat to see if she was good or not because her kickoff was bad.
It’s great how even though she was new to the team she still practiced a lot and did what she could to support the team.
Glad to see Sarah being able and ready to help the team out when they need her most.
It’s awesome the history she made and I bet we all hope that she’s not the last.
I believe its a could start and could go alot further from were it is now. If she continues to play heck she might get to kick a field goal or more.
Even though it was amazing that the first woman was able to play, however they should’ve let her test her real skill by letting her kick a field goal.
I think that its going to give the opportunity and the hope for many other female althets to try and do the same
Sarah being the first woman to play in a power 5 game is cool. It would’ve been better if she got the chance to kick a field goal or pat to see if she was good or not because her kickoff was bad.
I think that its going to give the opportunity and the hope for many other female althets to try and do the same and maybe even try to make it into the nfl
It’s cool that she was the first girl to play in the power five.
Good that she was able pushed pass gender boundaries
It was pretty neat that she got the opportunity to play college ball. Whether the team did good or not it gives hope to future female athletes.
I think it was cool that she was the first girl to play in college football even tho she only got to kick one time.
It’s a pretty rare opportunity that a woman can play a collegiate football game in the men’s league. I imagine it’s very inspiring to young female athletes
I think it’s cool for her to be a kicker. It’s amazing that she is putting up with all the criticisms she’s getting.
I don’t think that she should play in the men’s league, but she didn’t get the chance to actually show what she can do. I respect that she tried hard to get there, but it doesn’t seem right to me. You don’t see men going off and playing women’s sports, so I don’t understand how it can happen vise versa.
I think that is is great that she passed that boundary
I think it is a big step in making girls accepted in football.
Sarah being the first woman to play in a power 5 game is cool. Her courage came through as she accepted the opportunity without any thought. It’s inspiring to hear her encourage young girls to play any sport they’d imagine.
It is pretty cool how even though she would be the only girl on the team she did not let that stop her for joining the team.
Women should start their own League because men’s sports physicals and mentally tuff
I think it is good that she got represented in a power 5 game and that she showed women can play but I wish she got more attempts because her opening kickoff didn’t impress anyone.
I think that Sarah playing football is a show of progress within the gender stereotypes in our society and that women are getting more and more opportunities to Rally shed light on the power of women.
I think women playing in mens sports is a big step in sports. Lots of people dont like it but its great for women
I think women playing in mens sports is a big step in sports.
With Sarah playing in this football game, it really shows that girls are capable to anything they put their minds to. Football is something she has a deep desire for, and with her coach putting her in during this game, probably made her confidence level and her passion for football, grow.
i think that her playing was so cool, not only she is pretty cool for being the person to step up and play for the team when their kickers were out.
Sarah kicking that ball is an amazing thing to witness especially during the year that we are having, it shows us that even during the hardest times things can still be still be accomplished
I think it’s amazing that Sarah was picked to play that game. It doesn’t matter that the team wasn’t good, it’s still an awesome opportunity and I’m glad she got to do it.
I think it’s super cool that Sarah was picked to play in that game. I think it shows ghee at growth in the program that allowed her to be a part of the team, even for a game.
As a female athlete I have always been acutely aware of the limitations my gender places upon me. I will never be as strong or as fast as a male without working twice as hard. This story is really cool because it shows that that extra work can pay off.
That’s really cool good for her
It’s encouraging to hear about a woman in a man dominated sport. Even though her performance wasn’t her best, it’s awesome to hear that she had the opportunity.
I think the fact that she was able to have this opportunity and that she chose to take us great. It’s a good story and although she didn’t get many opportunities to participate in the game, I hope she gets more.
I think it is great for her to do something that she loves, even if others think it is weird. It shows her wonderful character!
This is very cool; I like that they didn’t go on to be incredibly good. It’s about the effort and commitment, and the fact that Sarah even played.
Her first kick was not the best, but I want to see her try for a field goal. I think the fact that she plays two division one sports is phenomenal, and I want to see more people try. I think this is a great start to something new
I think it’s a big step in sports history for a woman to play in football
I think this is awesome. As a girl who is also involved in a male dominated sports it’s awesome to she girls showing that they can do the same!
I believe its pretty cool to be the first woman to play in the power 5
I think that she did something she was passionate about, even though the team lost, it was such a cool experience for her to have and I think that she would just at any chance like that again
I think her courage and perseverance is very inspiring. It gives hope to all girls in sports!
I think it was amazing that she got offered such a rare opportunity to play football. Hopefully she inspired a lot of girls by letting them know they can do anything
I think it’s cool that she is going to play in the game especially since you don’t see a lot of girls playing football.
It’s really amazing how she was able to play 2 sports in college and even though she only kicked one time in the game it doesn’t matter because that is an amazing breakthrough in sports.
I think that this is a big step in equality for women and the respect they receive in sports. Women are equal and deserve the same respect as men. The same goes for races with everyone, we are all the same.
I think it is great that Sarah had made history in playing the sport she loves. Even if others think it’s weird, I’m glad she continued to play because it made her happy.
I think it is awesome to see her be the first women to play in a power 5 game and I hope she can earn more time on the field through her hard work.
I think it is great to see her making history as the first women to play in a power five. As a female athlete myself, it is very inspiring
I respect and like how she inspires others.
I think it was cool that she was able to play in the game and play at the level of any other kicker.
I think its great sarah is playing football, it shows the opportunities and skills women have in sports.
I think its great sarah is playing football, it shows the opportunities and skills women have in sports. It gives women more confidence to play men sports.
I think its amazing sarah is playing football, it shows the opportunities and skills women have in sports. It gives women more confidence to play men sports
I think it is amazing Sarah is proving that female athletes are capable of just as much as male athletes. It is important for the little girls out there to see anything is possible if you work hard and put your mind to it.