Sarah Fuller is changing football for the better. Last Saturday, Fuller made history by becoming the first woman to play in a power-conference college football game.<\/p>\n
Fuller was chosen to be Vanderbilt’s placekicker and started off the second half of the game. Her kick traveled 30 years before bouncing at the 35-yard line. Vanderbilt played against the Missouri Mason Pack but lost 41-0. This didn’t matter to Fuller, whose name was still being written in the history books.<\/p>\n
\u201cHonestly, it\u2019s just so exciting,\u201d Fuller, a native of Wylie, Texas, told the SEC Network in an on-field interview. \u201cThe fact that I can represent all the girls out there that have wanted to do this or thought about playing football or any sport really, and it encourages them to be able to step out and do something big like this, it\u2019s awesome.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fuller, who plays for the school’s women’s soccer team, was given a chance to walk on the football field after several players were unavailable due to testing positive for COVID-19.<\/p>\n
On the back of her helmet, she had a special sticker that read: \u201cPlay Like a Girl.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to tell all the girls out there that you can do anything you set your mind to,\u201d Fuller said. \u201cLike, you really can. If you have that mentality all the way through, you can do big things.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason said he was thrilled at being part of history, and he praised his new kicker.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought it was a special moment for Sarah Fuller. She is fantastic, a champ is a champ, we were lucky to have her here today,\u201d Mason said. \u201cUnfortunately, she didn\u2019t get a chance to kick a field goal, we didn\u2019t get that opportunity, but for her to be in college football and to have a kick-off \u2014 fantastic for her.\u201d<\/p>\n