How Football Built My Forever Friendships (And Even Led Me to My Husband)

Some of the most important people in my life walked—or ran—into it because of football.
My greatest friendships, and even the love of my life, found me because I took a chance and stepped onto that football field.

At just my second game ever, my grandma had bought 250 tickets to support me. I mean, basically all of Cherokee County showed up! Somewhere in that sea of fans was a guy I barely knew—his mom’s best friend worked in my grandma’s office. Little did I know, the guy sitting in the stands that night would one day become my husband. The father of my children.

But that's just the beginning.

That same night, I was playing against three girls who, at the time, were just opponents wearing different jerseys. Their team eventually folded, and the following season, they joined my Atlanta team. Those three girls? They would become some of my very best friends—the ones who pushed me to be better on and off the field.

They weren’t just teammates.
They were family.

They watched me grow from a young girl still finding my footing to a woman who stood strong in her purpose. They challenged me to push past what I thought was possible. They pushed me when I needed it most, they celebrated with me in the wins, and they picked me up during the tough losses.

Football was my passion—but they were my reason to keep playing.

As the years went on and my professional football journey began to wind down, it wasn’t the competition that kept me lacing up my cleats.
It was them.

If they were in it, I was in it.
The memories we made on those fields are some of the best moments of my entire life. I can't imagine my football career without them—and honestly, I wouldn't want to.

And it wasn’t just friendships that football blessed me with.

My former head coach—who started as my mentor—became so much more. He guided me through life decisions, encouraged me to start running flag football clinics (before I ever believed I could), and even officiated my wedding!

He’s written letters of recommendation for me, stood by me during life’s biggest transitions, and challenged me to keep growing as a leader, coach, and person.

All of this because I said yes to stepping onto that football field.

Football gave me so much more than a game—it gave me life-changing relationships. It gave me mentors, sisters, and the man who would become my husband. It shaped who I am, and it continues to push me to become better in every role I have: coach, mom, friend, wife, and leader.

So when people say "football is just a game,"
I smile and think:
They must have never played it the way we did.

I'm forever grateful for this game—and for every single relationship it gave me.