In Plantation, a high school senior is breaking a gender barrier in sports.
A female quarterback has not only taken to the field, but has also played in a game for her high school’s football team.
It's believed to be the first time that's ever happened in Florida, and Erin DeMeglio, the reluctant trailblazer, is also the real deal.
It's hard not to notice the blonde ponytail protruding from the back of a helmet in the middle of a huddle
The 5’5”, 140 lbs. DiMeglio may not have sought the attention, but she's getting it. Earlier this month she became the first high school girl to ever play the position of quarterback during a game in Florida.
The 17-year-old senior has been playing and throwing a football ever since she could walk. In the 4th grade, she began playing flag football and stood out among the boys.
Doug Gatewood has known Erin since coaching her in flag football. He’s now South Plantation's head coach. He says this is no publicity stunt.
Erin’s dad Tom DiMeglio is a police officer in the neighboring town of Davie, and a former high school player himself. He says, “Things have changed now – it’s a different time”.
He’s nurtured his daughter's love for football for years, but even he was surprised when Erin came to him with an unusual request.
“She said, ‘The coach wants to know if I could put on some pads and play’, and was like, ‘What was that?’”, He remembered.
For mom Kathleen DiMeglio it was an even harder sell, but she knew her daughter's passion for the game, and quickly relented.
There are obstacles though on the road to fulfilling that dream. Being around all the guys in such a Testosterone-fueled sport could make a girl uncomfortable. But coach Doug Gatewood says so far it hasn't been an issue.
Her parents say they've heard from other girls thanking her for her courage. Erin says she doesn't feel particularly courageous. But if she serves as an inspiration for other young women in her spikes, that's just fine with her.
“I never thought of myself as a trendsetter, I just did my own thing. If some girl looked up to me as a role model, I would feel great about that”, said DiMeglio.
Erin’s South Plantation Paladins are off to a good start. They’ve won their first two games, and will try to keep it going tonight on the road in Hallandale.