Female Football Player Mo Miller tackles social norms in school.
Photo by Rebecca Holt
Sophomore Mo Miller’s first year at TJ is highlighted by her position as a female linebacker on the TJ football team.
Miller, who transferred from Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learning (RMSEL), was excited to attend a school where sports and club activities are available. “TJ is great. It has a lot of opportunities that my old school didn’t have, like with clubs, sports, and friends,” said Miller.
With football usually considered a more manly sport, Miller’s mother didn’t fully support her decision to join the team. Her aunt and uncle were urging her to play a sport, but weren’t expecting her to join the football team. “They were expecting me to join more of a girly sport, so they were shocked when I decided on football,” said Miller.
Though Miller does find football difficult and very time consuming, she has always loved the strength and the teamwork football entails. “It’s a good way to relieve stress. I have always been tough so I thought I would try it out. Plus, it’s the only sport that comes with protective gear, ” said Miller, smiling.
Miller has shown a great passion for football, through the summer camp that whipped her into shape. “Mo was very committed and worked very hard on the TJ football team,” said Tim Owens, the Head Coach of the TJ football team. Miller loves to roughhouse, and continued playing football even after she broke her nose.
Football and school keep Miller pretty busy. With a full schedule and practice from 3:00 to 6:00 pm, she doesn’t have time for much else, but she does what she can to keep up every aspect of her life. “I don’t have any free time, so for now it’s just football and school. But when I can, I try my best to hang out with friends and go to youth group,“ Miller said.
Aside from football, Miller is also in JROTC. “I really like JROTC. I really wanted to join the Air Rifle team but I can’t because of football. So I am really excited for the spring practice,” said Miller.
Miller is also an artist whenever she gets a break from the field. She especially loves to sketch portraits. “I love it because there are no rules. With a life full of rules it’s great to do something that is just from your own perspective, “ said Miller. “I really enjoy drawing people, which is a little more restricted, but it’s still my art, so I can add a wrinkle and other characteristics,” she added.
Since Miller is quite busy with sports and school, she doesn’t have time for family events and going to Bloom Church’s youth group. With football practice until 6:00 pm, Miller finds it hard to balance her hectic schedule. “It really is hard not being able to get to hang out with family and my youth group, and also not being able to go to Bloom Church, but I have to make sacrifices because I love football. I really believe it’s worth it,” said Miller.
In the past, Miller and her youth group have gone to The Crossing Denver Rescue Mission, a Christian based, long-term rehabilitation and housing program. The youth group meets with them every first Tuesday of the month. “From playing football to volleyball, it is visible on the faces of the children that they enjoy being able to hang out with the group and love to play games,” said Miller.
“I really miss playing football and volleyball with the kids at The Crossing the most. I loved being able to help them, because their lives are hard, and it was cool to see them just be kids one night a month,” added Miller.
