Jan
20
Danielle Ramos Can Tackle with the Best of ‘Em!
Tags: gender socialization, masculinity, youth
Filed Under Powerful Women | By Rose Luna
Football season in the small rural town of Bartlett, Texas is filled with anticipation and excitement.  After all, the Bartlett High School football team was named “team of the decade†after winning three state championship titles during the ‘90s. The not-so-typical thing about the 2009 football season is 10-year-old Danielle’s decision to trade in her cheerleading skirt for a football helmet.
For two years Danielle participated in the youth football league as a cheerleader. “She was not very happy and did not particularly care to be a cheerleader,†says her mother.  But she participated because “that’s what girls did.†This year Danielle decided she would not cheer but instead follow her desire to play football. Initially her parents were hesitant and for good reason. “You tackle like a girl†is a common insult used to demean a player’s ability (not to mention the obvious correlation to femininity as a weakness).  Her parents were not only concerned with their daughter’s physical ability to play football but her emotional ability to face possible rejection. Danielle was persistent though, and with her parents’ support embarked on a journey that challenged societal expectations in her town.
Danielle (#32) is wearing the blue jersey with gray sleeves.
Her immediate reaction to dust off and adjust her clothes after her “manly†tackle is priceless.
Danielle’s decision to play was not calculated to take a stand or to rebel against conformity (although it was a consequence).  It simply was to follow her heart. Often times following your dreams comes with restrictions. Danielle’s courageous decision to defy gender role expectations is exceptional. And surprisingly both her coaches and fellow players welcomed Danielle to the team.  “It (football) helps both boys AND girls gain confidence and character while building camaraderie,†says Zachary Buchhorn, a coach for the Bartlett Youth Football League. I ran into Danielle last weekend and asked if she planned to play next year. She responded, “nah, football is not for me. I just wanted to prove I could do it.†My heart skipped a beat! Her unwillingness to allow gendered expectations to stop her is awesomely refreshing and a standard we all should follow.
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8 Responses to “Danielle Ramos Can Tackle with the Best of ‘Em!”
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Thank you for doing this Rose, I hope that it will inspire other girls as well as boys to follow there dreams regardless of the stereotype that goes along with what these kids wish to do and hope that their parents are as encouraging as my brother and sister-in-law were with Danielle.
“Her immediate reaction to dust off and adjust her clothes after her ‘manly’ tackle is priceless.”
Honestly, I don’t see her actions after the tackle as any different than the other kids out on the field. Is it possible that you viewed her reaction a certain way because she’s a girl? Just goes to show how ingrained stereotypes are in all of us…
Good point. I attended that particular game (and others)and observed her reactions. The clip cuts short the reaction which ends in her dusting herself off then running back to her position on the field.
So the “ingrained stereotypes” are a valid point but in this case the automatic “assumptions” are another.
Oh, I see. Too bad the clip doesn’t go a couple seconds longer! I’m so glad you shared this. I’ve watched the video at least a dozen times by now and it still makes me smile every time.
Great point Hope. Encourage as opposed to discourage regardless of expectations is an excellent starting point!
Thanks Melissa! And your point on “ingrained stereotypes” is an excellent point. It is a major problem and is also (in my opinion) why Danielle’s story is awesomely refreshing.
Speaking as an old feminist, I remember when girls could not/would not dream of being on a team with boys.
I am thrilled that Danielle say “I want to try” and is on the team because of her ability.
Kudos to everyone involved in the process!
Absolutely Love it!