Sarah Fuller explains 'Play Like A Girl' message on her Vanderbilt football helmet
Erik HallWhen Sarah Fuller takes the field with the Vanderbilt football team, the back of her helmet will include the phrase, "Play Like A Girl."
Fuller explained Friday on Twitter why she chose the phrase for her helmet.
"Tomorrow I will be wearing "Play Like a Girl" on the back of my helmet," Fuller said. "@iplaylikeagirl is nonprofit that encourages girls to play sports and get exposure to STEM opportunities. Check them out!"
Play Like A Girl was started in 2004 by Dr. Kimberly Clay, according to the Play Like A Girl website.
What is Play Like a Girl?
The organization describes its intent as aiming to advance the health and empower girls and women through education.
Play Like A Girl is based in Nashville. The organization website says it "serves more than 1,250 girls and women annually through a variety of programs and events."
Former Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith and his wife, Pat, provided funding to the organization in 2013 to help with an afterschool recreation program that included tennis, flag football, softball, soccer and volleyball.
Play Like A Girl also offers STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) camps and other programs for girls that have reached more than 25,000 girls and women.
Its 2018 tax form, the most recent publicly available, lists $122,526 in total revenue from July 2017 to June 2018.
How did Play Like A Girl respond to Sarah Fuller news
Play Like A Girl sent two tweets Friday after the news of Fuller dressing for Saturday's Vanderbilt football game was announced.
"You go girl! So proud of you — and all this means for girls everywhere. Together, we’re leveling the playing field in sports and STEM," said the first tweet from Play Like A Girl.
Its second tweet said, ".@SarahFuller_27 is changing the game for girls and women in sports. Saturday she will suit up for Vanderbilt as the first woman to participate in a Power 5 football game. We’re cheering loud and proud #IPLAYLIKEAGIRL!!"
Play Like a Girl joins Black Lives Matter, charities on Vanderbilt helmets
Vanderbilt players have displayed messages recognizing social justice, military service, religious faith and charities on their helmets this season, as permitted by the NCAA.
Each player chooses their preferred message, and Fuller will debut "Play Like a Girl" when Vanderbilt plays at Missouri at 11 a.m. CT Saturday on SEC Network.
Other helmet messages have included: #LewisStrong , National Down Syndrome Society, Black Lives Matter, Dancing Dores, #EndALZ, Equality, I Am Second, Justice, Medals of Honor, Mental Health, No Justice No Peace, Operation Underground Railroad (which is abbreviated on the helmet), Say Their Names, Turner's Heroes, Unity and Vanderbilt.
Turner's Heroes is a cancer-fighting foundation that honors Vanderbilt football player Turner Cockrell, the 21-year-old tight end who died of cancer in 2018.
Dancing Dores, created by Vanderbilt player Andre Mintze, is an initiative to get athletes involved with Vanderbilt Dance Marathon, an annual event raising funds and support for the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital.
Read more Sarah Fuller news:
- Sarah Fuller:5 things to know about Vanderbilt football kicker, women's soccer goalie Sarah Fuller
- SEC football:Vanderbilt's Sarah Fuller ready to become first female SEC football player
- Football history:Katie Hnida, Carli Lloyd excited for Sarah Fuller making history with Vanderbilt football
- Sarah Fuller:See video of Sarah Fuller warming up to kick for Vanderbilt football at Missouri
Erik Hall is the lead digital producer for sports with the USA Today Network. You can find him on Twitter @HallErik.