Redmond fourth-grade football player tackles stereotypes

Known for breaking tackles, a fourth-grade football player in Redmond is also breaking stereotypes. Peyton Adams, a quarterback on the Mud Dogs, is the only female in a league of about 150 players.

” You know the rule, girls can’t play football — which I’m going to prove them wrong, ” Adams said during Monday’s practice.

Four games into her first season, that’s exactly what Peyton is doing.

She said her interest in football started at home.

” I usually like to play football outside in the yard, and I just got into having a really good arm, ” Adams said.

Her father, Jared, noticed how competitive she was playing football at home. He said he was not surprised when she approached him about joining a tackle football team.

” I knew this was kind of coming, I guess, because she’s been interested in doing the flag football thing in the past, ” Jared said. ” We just either have been too busy or didn’t get her signed up in time. So, when she came to me it was like, ‘ Yeah, sure. Let’s get you signed up! ‘ ”

Now, her father is also her head coach.

Peyton plays all over the field. She can stop you on defense and block you on offense, but her favorite position is quarterback.

” I just like to throw the long bombs down the field, ” Adams said.

In fact, Peyton recently threw her first career touchdown pass.

” It felt great. It was amazing, ” she said.

Peyton’s play on the field has left some opposing coaches upset, not because she’s a girl, but because she’s a star.

” I mean, I’ve even had coaches come to me and say, ‘Hey, I wanted her on my team. How come you’ve got her on your team?’ ‘ Jared said. ” That makes me feel good. That makes me proud, as a dad. ”

Peyton said being the only female on the field does not faze her.

” I don’t even think about it. I just hit as hard as I can, ” she said.

For any other girls out there interested in playing tackle football, but not sure if it’s worth it, Peyton has a message for you.

” I would say you should do it, because even though there are boys hitting you, you could still block them back, and get all your anger out at them. Because I tell you, it feels good! ”

KTVZ 2019