Ayda Alewine, a middle schooler from Knoxville, Tennessee, has made a mark in the world of football, breaking barriers and earning the respect of her teammates as the only girl on her tackle football team. What started as a childhood hobby with her dad has evolved into a passion for the game and a future dedicated to sports.
What Happened
For Ayda Alewine, football began as a bonding experience with her dad, Mark, filled with late-night snacks and watching games together. But as Ayda grew older, her interest in football blossomed into a full-on passion. By seventh grade, Ayda was ready to take the leap from casual fan to active player, joining the tackle football team at Austin-East Middle School — becoming the only girl on the roster.
Ayda’s father, Mark, who had played middle school football himself before a neck injury cut his playing days short, has always been supportive of his daughter’s dream. “I never wanted to prevent her from doing what she wanted to do,” Mark said. “Just because I was afraid she might get hurt or something might happen.”
Ayda’s Football Journey
Ayda started out playing wide receiver and free safety, positions that allowed her to showcase both her athleticism and competitiveness. While there was initial hesitation from coach Mark Andrews, who wasn’t sure how to handle the situation, Ayda quickly proved herself on the field.
“I kind of held her back last year because I didn’t know how to coach that situation,” Andrews admitted. “But Ayda told me, ‘Let me go against the best guys. I have to get hit — that’s the only way I’m going to learn.’”
And that determination paid off. Ayda earned the respect of her teammates not just as a girl on the team, but as a genuine contributor. “On eighth-grade night, we played Gibbs, and a lot of the boys on that team go to my school,” Ayda recalled. “They were like, ‘Oh, that’s Ayda.’ But as far as my teammates, whenever I’m with them, I don’t feel left out.”
Moving On From Tackle Football
As Ayda prepares to move on to high school, she’s decided not to continue playing tackle football. “The only thing holding her back from playing in high school is the size of the boys,” said her sister, Aliya Alewine. While Ayda won’t be continuing with tackle football, she’s proud of what she accomplished in middle school.
“She did the thing she said she wanted to do,” Aliya added.
The Future Ahead
Despite stepping away from tackle football for now, Ayda is far from leaving the world of sports behind. She has big plans for her future, already envisioning a career centered around sports. “I kind of planned out my whole life after high school,” Ayda said confidently. “I plan to go to UT. I’m going to study sports psychology. I’m going to study journalism. I’m going to make the rest of my life about sports.”
Ayda’s journey in football, her passion, and her future aspirations show that she’s not only breaking barriers but also carving a path to a bright future in the sports world.
