Girl banned from football

Girl banned from football, Paige, a 12-year-old from Locust Grove, Ga., was the starting defensive tackle for her sixth grade football team at Strong Rock Christian School. Last week, Paige was informed that she would not be allowed to compete next year.

School CEO Patrick Stuart implemented a policy that states, “Middle school girls play girls’ sports and middle school boys play boys’ sports.”

“[Stuart] told me students are coming of age and the boys will have impure thoughts and urges and they have the locker room talk and it’s not appropriate for girls to hear,” Paige’s mother, Cassy Blythe, told USA TODAY Sports. “Then he said he prayed about it and he really feels that there’s not supposed to be mixing of the genders. They need to be kept separate.”

Blythe said when Paige joined the football team, head coach Jimmy Higginbotham welcomed her with open arms and before the first practice, made it clear he’d treat her like everyone else.

Blythe was hesitant to let her daughter play, but after a few practices, Paige would run to the car with a big smile.

“I’d ask her, ‘What are you doing hitting people out there?” Blythe said. “And she said, ‘Because I’m a defensive tackle!’ I looked at coach and was like, ‘Are you serious?’ And he said, ‘Girl can hit.’”

Paige, who recorded four sacks last year, said her best friends are on the team and will miss the camaraderie.

“It’s really sad knowing I won’t be able to have as much fun as I did last year,” Paige said.School administrators issued the following statement concerning Paige’s removal from the team:

“The Strong Rock Christian School leadership and administration fully stand behind the school’s policy. We believe this policy promotes a safe and fair environment for athletic competition and is in the best interest of all Strong Rock students and families.

“Thank you for your continued prayers and support of our school.”

Strong Rock declined further comment.

Blythe said they’ve started exploring other options for education. Paige could transfer to another school that will allow her to play football, or she could stay at Strong Rock and play on a recreational team.

For now, Paige and her mother have started a Facebook campaign called “Let Her Play” in support of female athletes and gender equality. The page has over 23,000 likes in one week.