Sexism In Football

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While it’s not necessarily an event in world history, it’s definitely an impactful event for a linebacker on Apollo Junior High’s football team. Ashley Mathews, 13, has played football for her seventh and eighth grade years. She wanted to play football since sixth grade, she says when I ask her when she decided she was going to play. “Everyone told me I couldn’t play, so I wanted to prove them wrong.” Ashley said. “I had a meeting with the district manager of athletics and he sat me down and told me, ‘Now you know this is a tackling sport, right?’ And I replied, ‘Of course. I don’t care, I just want to play.’” Her reason for playing was unlike Terah Hibbs’, another girl who played football on an all-boys team. According to a personal interview …show more content…
Sam, during team tryouts, took first place in every agility and speed trial against 172 boys; she was placed in the seventh team, out of nine. [Abigail Jones]. I asked Ashley Mathews if there was any sexism when she played. “Yes, during games. The other teams would tell me things like, ‘What are you doing on the team?’, ‘You’re useless,’ and ‘Football’s a guy’s sport.’” Ashley told me about the first time she entered boy’s athletics, on the first day of seventh grade. All of the boys were “confused at first, and were reluctant to play, because they didn’t want to hurt me.” Currently, Ashley walks around using crutches. Football made a big impact on her life, in other ways than proving to people she can do whatever she wants and getting her in better shape. “Obviously, football has hurt your body,” I gestured to the crutches by her side. “Obviously,” she agreed. “I sprained my ankle multiple times, almost got a concussion, rammed my head into my shoulders, and dislocated my hip.” When I asked if she would continue playing into high school, she shook her head. “No, but I wish I could. If I could turn back time to sixth grade and change my decision, I wouldn’t. Not even if it would prevent me from my

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