Guest Author - Judith Hodges

Danielle Bailey is like many juniors in high school this fall. She is busy with school and football. Danielle has been the place kicker for the Long County High School football team in Georgia for one season. Between her busy schedule of school and football, I got her to answer a few questions for us about football and her future.

Danielle started playing soccer at age 5 in Mississippi where she played for 7 years with the South Mississippi Soccer Association until she moved to Georgia. Here in Georgia, soccer is just now catching on, so she played for a recreation team. Her coach Kerry Hunt talked her into trying to kick field goals. She was good at it and the high school team needed a kicker, so she gave it a try. She started mid-season of her sophomore year.

Football is a male dominated sport, so I wanted to know what everyone thought about her playing. Danielle says that everyone is so supportive including her parents, but she thinks her mom is still afraid she will be hurt. She gets some shock from the teams they play, but her classmates think it is great. She loves being a part of the team because the team has to work together so she can do her job to help the team win. All the practice in the Georgia heat is worth it when they win.

When asked about the future of females in football, Danielle does not see many females trying out for more than kickers. She said she is in practice and doing the same exercises with the male players. She doesn't think most females have enough strength to play positions with the guys other than kickers. She would like to play football in college, but plans to be in sports medicine either way. She says that her "profession is going to put me as close to the field as possible."

We wish you all the best Danielle. Have a great season.