The Possible First Female NFL Football Player - Becca Longo

                                                                         

Becca Longo is in the lead to become the first female NFL football player, but the journey was not easy as you might think. She had to go through a lot of discrimination, as football isn’t considered to be a girl’s game. From being rejected to being bullied by his own fellow mates, she surpassed all the hurdles with her strong will to play the game.

Early life- 

It all started in Arizona, where she was born into an athletic family. She had been introduced to sports at a very young age by her family. Becca stood up for Water ski when she was 4, and kicked her first soccer ball when she was 9. Sportsmanship was in her genes, and most of all she loved playing sports. It was her passion that led her to kick for Grizzlies at Adam State University.

Her Inspiration-

Long before football happened, Longo played soccer and basketball for her school team and was already known for her skills. But she always had a soft corner for football. Becca from a young age had seen his older brother, Bobby, playing defensive in football and always wanted to follow in his footsteps. He had inspired her in every way and there was always a competition between them as to who scores better, be it any sport.

The spark that builds her dream-

Becca studied in Queen’s Creek High School, near Chandler Az, and her freshman year (2013-2014) was about to end. While heading back to her home with her friend, she looked at the football field, where a football practice was going on. She couldn’t find a single woman on the ground playing. This made her upset and somehow she decided to change the system and fight this discrimination. A girl playing football is still laughed upon as it is considered to be a tough man’s game, so cheerleading is the only option left to get as close to that field. Well, how sad is that? This spark has ignited her motivation, and her dream journey was about to be started.

A supportive & proud Dad-

Becca told her friend that she was going to make the impossible possible. Already being a star Soccer and Basketball player of Queen’s Creek, she was now ready to take on a third sport - Football. It’s not always easy to make a transition into a new sport but her confidence, perseverance, and talent made her believe she can stand out and shine. Longo declared this powerful news to her dad, who wasn’t surprised at all. He has always believed her and seen her doing miracles from a very young age. All his eyes reflected was that he was a proud dad. Becca in an interview to

ESPN said - “I think it’s just something inside of me. I don’t always HAVE to prove myself — but I always WANT to.”

Start of a Dream-

The long’s decided to take Becca to a kicking camp that was hosted at Gilbert Christian High School by the Arizona Cardinals. Becca did not have formal training in football and was also the only girl participating in the camp. The ground was studded with many celebrated NFL players in the camp and this might be the right chance for her to outshine. All eyes were on her as she came forward for the kick-offs, and she did manage to impress many of the players, who approached her and her dad. But Becca wanted to get trained under Alex Zendejas, a former University of Arizona kicker.

The Guru enters her life-

Zendejas runs a kicking academy in Phoenix and has trained 7 kickers that played for Arizona All-State. He called Becca for trials to see if she was worthy enough to play the game. Although, he soon believed in her as her form was good, and she seemed pretty confident, but a little attention was needed to work on her techniques. Alex decided to train her as he saw great potential in Becca, even though she was never trained in football before.

Unstoppable Will-

After this achievement, she went to Paul Reynolds, Athletic Director of Queen’s Creek, and made her wish of playing football for his team. To which he laughed and passed a not-so-motivated comment - “I guess you should go for it and try out for the team.” She did not let her hopes down and tried for the junior varsity team of Queen’s Creek. She gave in whatever was taught by his coach Alex Zendejas and made it to the junior team.

Unfaithful Events in her Life-

She soon became a star player on the field, but many people including her fellow mates just couldn’t watch her succeed. She was getting bullied, comments were being passed on. “They’d post pictures on the internet and say - Is that her jersey or her boyfriend’s?’” Becca told the press. The hate was such that it started to affect her. The only option now left was to change the school.

New Beginnings –

Becca decided to get transferred to Basha High School, which came out as a good decision as she was quite happy there and his peers were really supportive and friendly. Yet she was made to sit out for the Junior year (2015-2016) due to some transfer rules. Well, whatever happens, is for the good.

A Star Is Born-

Next senior season, she made a terrific head out in the game and made her team even stronger than before. The NCAA took notice of this gem after her brilliant performance. Adam State offensive coordinator Josh Blankenship, heard about Becca and came to see her play the game. Adam state needed a kicker, be it anyone - boy or a girl. “I don’t care if the player’s a Martian…the gender part wasn’t really a factor to me,” Head Coach Timm Rosenbach Told ESPN.

The First Woman Feat-

Becca impressed everyone with the talent she possessed, and Adam State decided to offer her the football scholarship at the NCAA Division I or II levels. She became the first-ever female to get a football scholarship. “I was so emotional. I was just so grateful that somebody believed in me and that I could actually do it,” Becca told ESPN. She had faith in herself and the game, she achieved what many of us desire to achieve. Breaking all barriers of discrimination, she is Becca Long - The future of Football, and inspiration to many.

‘Don’t stop because somebody tells you you’re not qualified or you can’t do something.'” - Becca Longo