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A Girl on the Offensive Line?

Posted: Tuesday, September 04, 2007 8:00 AM by Dan Fleschner
Filed Under:

We did a story yesterday on the New York couple that recently won the lottery for the second time. Today, we profiled another family that has had two long-shots come in -- the Mangold family of Ohio.

It's rare enough to have a son who becomes a starting center for an NFL playoff team (especially as a rookie). It's even more unique to have a daughter who becomes a contributor on the offensive line for a state championship-caliber high school football team. But that's exactly what Vern and Therese Mangold have in their children, 23-year-old Nick and 17-year-old Holley. WATCH VIDEO

Nick's story is a fairly familiar one -- he was a high school legend, an All-American at Ohio State and is now entering his second season as the starting center for the New York Jets.

Holley's tale is a bit different. Seeking to follow her brother to the gridiron, she started playing football in the second grade over the initial objections of her father. But she soon won over her father (who was also her first coach) and has stuck with it, overcoming the inevitable jokes and taunts that come with a girl playing football -- especially a big one (as she told Meredith this morning, "I'm a really big person").

Though it hasn't necessarily been her goal, she has become a role model for anyone -- male or female -- who wants to go against convention and has the determination to pull it off.

Last season, she was a part-time player for Archbishop Alter High School in Kettering, Ohio, as her team reached the state championship game.

This year, Holley has earned a spot as a backup guard on the offensive line and is one of her team's most imposing physical presences -- she checks in at 315 pounds this season, able to bench press 265 pounds and squat 525 pounds.

Although college coaches from Division I-AA, Division II and Division III have reportedly shown interest in Holley's skills, she has expressed some concern about whether football will remain in her future.

It seems to me that she shouldn't worry about the future right now. As she admits, she's not very fast or tall, and she doesn't even start for her high school team. Sure, if she finds a college situation, that would be great. But most high school football players don't go on to college careers, and her success trascends pancake blocks and offensive schemes.

In the meantime, conventions and gender roles don't mean much -- she and her teammates have a state championship to chase (the Knights are 2-0 so far this season).

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Comments

I'm sorry, and parent that allows thier child (male or female) to be that grosly overweight needs thier head examined. She is not even healthy, for a 17 yr old. You can be a football player and be healthy at the same time. What will she look like 10 years from now? I am a parent of son and daughters and IF my daughter wanted to play football then more power to her, but she will be fit,offensive guard or not. I have seen Holly play last year in the championship game in Ohio, and did not impress any of us.

KP, steubenville, ohio (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 8:23 AM)

She is an OBESE, FAT PIG!! What happened to the stories about our youth being over-weight?? Her whole family is normal "weight-proportioned"! They let her eat Twinkies for a standard meal, or what??

TOTALLY DISGUSTING!!

ftlrico, Mayfield, KY. (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 8:54 AM)

I don't understand why you would highlight a situation where this girl is grossly obese.  It seems that having her on the show you are making it appear as an approval for her obesity.  If she were a normal weight I doubt that she would be on a football team.
Shame on her parents and brother for encouraging this obesity.

Hopefully this gal will realize how her obesity is a major health risk.  

Linda Frank, Des Moines, Ia. (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 8:55 AM)

Just wanted to note that whilst it's wonderful for anyone, boy or girl to do well at a sport - why has nobody mentioned that this girl is grossly overweight (she could be faster if she wasn't) and her own reference to being a "big" person could have been followed up by a gentle question from Meridith as to her health.....which will not be good if she continues at 315lbs!  it's about time people stopped being politically correct and really started caring about the alarming number of high school students who are morbidly obese.

fiona, richmond, va (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 8:57 AM)

This is really a sad excuse for human interest news. This young woman is not even close to the caliber of athlete that plays for Alter High School. She is grossly overweight, out of shape and simply uses her brothers name to gain notoriety. She should lose some weight, get FIT and then try and play with the Alter boys. It is a shame that the Today show would even consider this young womans story of interest.

Citigirl in Dayton (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 9:01 AM)

I agree with some of the other comments about Holly being over weight. But obviously she is capable of competing on the football team-otherwise she wouldnt have made the team in the first place. What I wanted to comment about is the fact that Today has no clue that there actually is a professional women's football league here in the United States. It is called the IWFL-Independant Women's Football League. Holly would be a dominating player in a that league if she so chose to persue football after her schooling.

Deb,Fort Dodge<IA (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 9:13 AM)

You go Holly!  Weight issues or not, I think it is fantastic that you are playing football.  Practice hard, condition and play hard.  If you do that you will see your weight come down. Exercise and eat healthy.  Please don't think you have to be heavy to play football.  My daughter is in her third year of football, she played 2 years of Preteen and Pop Warner football and is now on the freshman high school team.  She plays both sides of the ball plus special teams.  She is 4'8 and 112 lbs.  She holds her own against the boys twice her size.  What she lacks in size she makes up for in smarts and speed. Take care of yourself and best wishes to you.

Julie, Harmony RI (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 9:30 AM)

It is great that she is playing, but I just saw her play in the fall and she has  at least put on another 75 lbs. Honey it ain't muscle. Exercise is a must and healthy eating. Which I gather the only exercise she gets, is on the field. I am not putting her down for playing, just her health. If I'm a guy and saw that coming at me I would run.! Horray for the IWFL ! would love to see her play that.

KP., Steubenville, ohio (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 10:20 AM)

As someone who has lost over 100 pounds in a years' time, and kept it off for over a year and a half (done without diatary suppliments, pills or surgery, by the way-exercise is a wonderful thing, as is the South Beach diet), I look at this person as a heart attack waiting to happen. While I applaud her for making the team, since I believe in equal rights for all, someone PLEASE tell this young lady to drop about 120 pounds, or she will die before the age of 30.

John Doe, Jackson Mi. (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 10:46 AM)

It was so painful to see, I could barely stand to watch the interview of young Holley Mangold.  Poor thing is so very, very fat, morbidly obese really, yet everyone pussyfooted around that obvious and dire situation.  She needs help NOW!!  Help her to loose weight, live a more healthy lifestyle, then bring her back on for a real round of applause.

Honor Spitz, Mountain View, CA. (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 10:57 AM)

Holy crap people!  She is no more grossly overweight than any other big lineman.  Muscle weighs more than fat, weightlifting makes people huge.  This is common knowledge.  Do you really believe a 300 lb girl who was just overweight would be able to cut it in football tryouts?  Every coach she has encountered, including her father, was eager to exclude her for ANY reason, don't you think they could have used that one?  The double standard on this board is astounding.

K, Oxford, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 11:06 AM)

Thank you Holley. My 12 yr old girls loves and plays football with the boys and has for 4 years now. Her dream is the NFL. She is like you, beautiful and strong. i wont let her know how hard (unfortunatley still)it is to be a woman and have to fight for any position in life.
And to those who are resonding to this with rude comments, you need to wonder why you are being mean.

Ali Boisvert (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 11:17 AM)

Rude comments!.... not... we are giving our oppinion , and I think we all saw the same things. She said she was "slow" wonder why? I have seen her in person play and still didnt impress me at all. And from what I have been told, if ya go out for sports. No child left behind.  Meaning, if ya go out ya make the team.

KP., Steubenville, ohio (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 11:55 AM)

If we're just giving opinions here, KP in Steubenville, then take this one:  Holly has a positive attitude, likely knows she needs to get in better shape, and doubtlessly has a lot of muscle. If you want to help her get to the gym to lose some fat, maybe she can help you in English classes.

Eilwen, Charlotte, NC (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 12:42 PM)

It's funny how no one is up in arms about overweight HUGE linemen in the NFL. But suddenly it's a woman and it's like "oh no she's too fat." Does that stop you from watching the NFL? Double standards and sexism abound.

Jane (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 1:21 PM)

every comment that I have read mentions her being overweight.  I don't know to many overweight people bench pressing 265lbs. or squatting over 500lbs. I think we need to leave her alone and let her play ball.

Marc,Council Bluffs ,Iowa (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 1:28 PM)

Wow, I applaud this young girl for having a goal and for pursuing something she loves. But I think it is unconscionable that she is so grossly obese and the media is ignoring that fact. In pro ball, you have to be fit and well-conditioned, even if you are big. Athletes today who want to be role models should be fit, not morbidly fat. I wouldn't call her a role model for this reason only - it's one thing to be overweight and fit, and quite another to be as clearly obese as this young girl is and have everyone on the Today show pretending that she isn't. Are we saying that she can only succeed in football by outweighing her male counterparts? And frankly, it's not healthy for the boys, either. I wonder if she would have had any publicity at all if it weren't for her pro-football playing brother.

Donna (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 1:29 PM)

Why did this girl get any publicity when she's not even a starter on her high-school team? In what way is she a role model when she's a second-stringer? I can't see any college wanting her on their team, except as a publicity stunt, when she's not fast, she's not tall, she's not talented enough or fit enough to play as a starter. Hm.

Dee (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 1:31 PM)

I play in the IWFL, saw this piece this morning and too wondered why there was no mention of all of the other young girls and women who currently play football.  A simple google on women's football will show you that there are roughly 75 "professional" teams in the US with 31 of them directly in the IWFL.  There is a bigger story here.  Hoorah and good luck to Holley!  Hopefully, we'll see you in the league soon.  

Mandy, NY Sharks (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 1:59 PM)

Wow you all should be ashamed to call this Girl  obese, you obviously have no education or understanding of that term or exercise. They refer to her slow as compared to a high school player that would go to college. I doubt any women or man that can bench 250 and squat 500 is hurting their heart or body. With the conditioning that goes into becoming that big. She still gets out and goes through two a days and full practices. An Obese person can't move with out getting winded. This girl plays four quarters of football. When she is 35 and still this weight you can make your rude comments, but she is 18 lives an active lifestyle and chooses to lift to gain weight and works hard at what she does and I bet can run a mile faster than anyone on this forum can type a sentence with the comments I have been reading it takes a very slow person to write those things.  

John, Hilliard, Oh (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 2:16 PM)

I work with young women who strive to become the women they want to be.  I believe Holly is doing that in her own way. If she loves sports, she deserves to be fit enough to thrive in any sport she chooses. I want to know who in her life is committed to her health and fitness! I hope she knows deep in her heart that she doesn't have to be 300 pounds to play football.  I wish I could spend the next six months as her fitness coach, then she can reach for anything she wants in life. Holly, in many ways I hope you're not reading these comments because fact is most of the people here don't have a clue about who you really are. You can be fit, love your body, and live your dream. www.FitBenefit.com

Milan, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 2:22 PM)

I think that it is terrible that Holy is pointed out as a role model.  As she has stated herself, she is very overweight.  I truly think she is getting all this "glam" due to her brother.  There are many other female athletes in the Dayton area that are very talented on the field.  We need to teach our young women to be healthy and not too thin and not to thick.  I don't feel that she is any type of a role model.

Dayton, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 2:28 PM)

I am seeing too many overweight young boys and girls lately. Their parents aren't heavy but they are. An athlete can be big but not overweight, a good diet is the key and it is the parents that must in force those values into their children.
Good luck to Holly and I can only hope that her parents take a real hard look at the picture on the news and realize that they must step in and help their daughter become a lean athlete, who would perform better and live a healthier, happier life

Joanne Deutch,Lenox,MA (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 3:17 PM)

Eilwen, Charlotte, NC touche'

All I am saying is she is NOY fit or in any shape. If you read my post's, I did not put her down for playing.Ive see her play and she isn't all that great of a player.  I just don't think she a role model for any person (male or female) playing sports!

KP., Steubenville, ohio (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 4:11 PM)

It is hilarious to read comments from people who don't know Holley or our family.

First, Holley has been large since she was a baby. We have another daughter, Kelley, who swims in colleg, and she is a more "normal" 5' 7" and 135 lbs.

I will not give my wifes weight- not polite, of course- but I am 5' 10" and weigh 195 lbs.

Holley ran a six flat 40 yard dash this summer at camp. She has a blood pressure of 110 over 75 with a rest pulse of 62.

I suppose people would also consider my son obese. After all, he is 6' 4" and 305 lbs.

And for the Stubenville posters, well, you can't take anything that they say seriously. They are poster children for exactly the attitude that Holley has to work against. The posters displayed at the title game ewere vulgar, obscene and tasteless- and allowed by their school to be displayed.

I hope to see you inn the title game again.

GO KNIGHTS!

Vern Mangold (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 4:12 PM)

To the poster who said she is playing four quarters of football: no, she is not. SHE said that she is 'too slow' to be a starter. If she admits that she is slow, then I wonder at your need to say she can run a mile faster than other posters can type a sentence.

D (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 4:23 PM)

John, don't confuse being 'strong' with being 'fit.' They are two VERY different things. Trust me, I'm a personal trainer. Just because someone can lift a lot of weight does not make them fit cardiovascularly or able to run even short distances. It's not unusual for large people to have strong muscles that are covered by layers of fat because they are not burning enough calories to rid themselves of the fat.

Dee (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 4:26 PM)

I AM IN SHOCK AT THE COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE ABOUT THIS YOUNG ADULT. YES SHE IS OVER WEIGHT BUT AT LEAST SHE HAS THE GUTS TO GET OUT THERE AND PLAY. I AM SURE SHE TAKES PART IN THE PRACTICES THAT HER TEAM HAS,AND I DOUBT THAT SHE IS SITTING ON THE COUCH JUST WAITING FOR THE NEXT GAME. EVERY ONE ONLY SEES THE WEIGHT ISSUE WITH HER, HAS ANYONE STOPPED AND THOUGHT ABOUT THE INSPERATION SHE IS GIVING TO GIRLS THAT HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT PLAYING FOOTBALL BUT THOUGHT THERE WAS NO ROOM IN IT FOR GIRLS. MY DAUGHTER PLAYS FOOTBALL IN A SMALL TOWN IN ALASKA AND I HOPE SHE DOES NOT GO ON THIS SITE AND READ THESE GROSS COMMENTS THAT ARE BEING MADE ABOUT HOLLEY. LET US NOT FORGET EVERYONE THERE ARE BOYS TWICE HER SIZE ON SOME OF THESE TEAMS, WERE ARE THE COMMENTS ABOUT THEM?  

MISTY- DELTA JUNCTION ALASKA (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 4:31 PM)

Holly: When you read the bad comments picture them as the player's lined up across from you and slum em to the ground,Take the good comments like a good block or a fumble you may have caused that scored 6 points,
Most of all take the advice of this Milan in CA "You can be fit, love your body, and live your dream.Go Holly Go

Kim Kalispell, Montana (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 4:41 PM)

When Meridith brought up Katie, the kicker who went to University of Colorado who said she was sexually harrassed, Holley's comments (about how "you can't put yourself in certain situations" and "you have to know how to handle yourself around them" and "you can't give guys that much") were really insulting to Katie.    

Central NJ (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 4:50 PM)

So I see that the trend in the pros of HUGELY FAT linemen has trickled down to the high school level. Sorry, but just because you're A HUGE FAT MOUNTAIN that is difficult to move it doesn't make you an athlete. Anyone that allows their child to be this huge, male or female, should be shot.

RC, Puget Sound, WA (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 4:55 PM)

So just out of interest: are people ragging on Holley because she's big or because she's a big female? Seems to me that men are supposed to slim down for health but women are supposed to slim down for looks. I've read several articles about larger women in remarkable shape, like personal trainers and aerobics instructors, who still suffer from ridicule because they're bigger despite being terribly fit. I don't think bigger men suffer that ridicule, and it always amuses me to see a guy with a beer gut complain about a woman's size.

So rather than celebrate a young woman seizing her dreams, some of you choose to point out your dislike of her size.  Honestly, I wonder whether some posters have ridiculed because they truly worry for Holley's health or they just have a strong dislike for bigger people.

Eilwen, Charlotte, NC (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 5:14 PM)

As a physical educator I can appreciate some of what people are saying. I see how the eating habits of students impact their bodies. But my appreciation of their comments ends there. Its sad that people would result to such horrible name calling. Fit or not, things like "fat pig" have no business in the conversation about this student-athlete. So many factors play a roll in what your body type will be, what you eat is only one. Many people lack the knowledge to understand that its not just about the food you eat. Sure she weighs 315 pounds and she is able to bench press 265 pounds and squat 525 pounds. To the perfect people who want to lable and name call, get informed, she has to be working out to have those numbers. Its the people who lable and name call who help create the culture in which food issues and eating disorders thrive.  Like many, many people she could improve her health, by lowering her body fat percentage, but I say admire her for what she has accomplished. She as well as her doctor are aware of her health status. And from what I have heard her say, she is aware of her limits and the factors that contribute to them. Hats off to Holly and everyone who has the committment and desire to work towards a goal. Ignore the ignorance of others and stick with it!

Eva Luna, Lompoc, Ca (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 5:43 PM)

I think it's so ridiculous that so many people are only focusing on this girl's weight. Yes she's obese, but so are many many offensive linemen, even in the NFL. If she were a male it seems unlikely that people would be going on about her weight...she's obviously not in bad shape as she can bench press and squat such impressive amounts. If we're going to talk about weight issues, we should include the thousands of men who play football and are overweight (probably more so than this girl...) Just take a look at your local NFL team...

Alwen, Golden, CO (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 6:06 PM)

If you listened to the interview her father stated that she is an olympic weightlifter representing our country.
Yet all we see and here is she is obese.
How many people would love to represent their country in the olympics.
I know I would.

JRWilson Memphis,Tn. (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 6:39 PM)

Mr. Mangold. You have every right to be upset with what has been said about your daughter, I would be too. But ...I do have to say one thing about my school. The poster were vulgar, obscene and were NOT allowed by our school to be there. They did get all the kids on tape and there were reprimanded, very harshly. But this has nothing to do with our school, its your daughter.

kp (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 7:12 PM)

6 flat 40 yard dash, Blood pressure of 110 over 75 with a rest pulse of 62, 265lb. bench press, 525lb. squat. HAHA, not healthy? I'd like to see ANY of you put up that combination of numbers. Obviously she's big, but being skinny doesn't mean your organs are in amazing shape. How many of you smoke or drink? Thought so.

Nick S., Upstate New York (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 7:49 PM)

Mr. Mangold, it is a little disturbing that you think the comments about your daughter's morbid obesity are hysterical.  Pretty sick sense of humor you have there.  Of course, you must be concerned enough to feel obligated to post the stats on the rest of your "normal" family members (this is the impression you give, not the one I intend to make).  Of course, your daughter's attitude towards the girl who was sexually harassed on the college team is quite similarly inappropriate, in her inexplicable remarks to the effect that that girl somehow "asked for it" (her words) by "putting herself in a situation" that she could not "handle herself" in (her words).  Sure, she tried to back-paddle, but it was quite obvious what (lack of) feeling she was trying to convey.  So, as hysterical as you may find the reaction to your daughter's situation (?!), you may want to consider that she is bringing it squarely on herself.  There is no such thing as a healthy 315-pound 17-year-old girl or boy, period.  She is morbidly obese.  That would be the diagnosis regardless of her stress test results.  Period. I hope she does well on the Olympic team.  I hope she does not end up on a college football team (for her own good).  I hope she finds a healthy way to drop about 150 pounds and lose a little bit of her "kick-a.s.s." attitude (for her own good).  None of it is very healthy.  

NotLaughing (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 8:10 PM)

Holly,I really do not know what to say about a lot of these comments (I do but want)expecialty about a 17 year old.I for one think you are wonderful,am really glad I have had the pleasure of knowing you (really glad I do not know a lot of these people)keep up the good work,and stick to your goal.You Go Girl

M.T. New Carlisle,Ohio (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 8:25 PM)

I am a mother of a 14 year old 8th grade football player and she is not a small girl.  She practiced last year but never played a game due to an injury during practice.  Her first game will be this Thursday and I plan on being there supporting her just as everyone should do for Holly!  I am very proud of my daughter and her interest in football.  I was against football in the beginning; however, I have gotten use to the idea and attempt to get her all the attention that I can wherever I can get it from news paper/TV.  Her team mates treat her like one of the guys but it doesn't seem to slow her down any.  She enjoys the sport.  I hope she sticks with it and gets a college scholarship but who knows.  Hats off to this young girl because she is a role model!   Now my daughter knows that she is not alone or the only girl out there.  I would like to see some of the people that have made rude comments get out there and take out players.  It takes a lot of courage and determination not to mention a love for the sport and a lot of hard work.  I thank God that our community/school has not responded in the manner that Holly’s did.  

Laurie, Douglas, Ga (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 8:33 PM)

my mom already said something about me playing football for my middle school are team is called the Trojans  & in 8th. well i am 290 pounds i am 5'9 and is linedef. i take on twice my size at football games & practice. you people that talk about about  this girl should try what she does & how hard it is to be called a part of the team. so the next person that says something about her weight needs to put on her suit & go out there & take on half the people she does .
note this: my coaches & team mates said that we are like family out there on the fild so back off and leave her alone.

cherity, Douglas, Ga (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 8:58 PM)

Make no mistake, Cherity, if I weighed 315 pounds it would not be difficult for me to knock someone off their feet in full football gear.  That is not the point. The fact that you are missing the point, and that you are an 8th grade girl who weight 290 pounds, who looking for excuses to call that acceptable is a very disturbing trend in this country.  The fact that your mother seems to be behind you in this delusion is equally disturbing.  You, Cherity, are morbidly obese.  That is the diagnosis for someone your height and weight.  It has nothing to do with your ability to knock someone off their feet, it has to do with the fact that you are more than 100 pounds overweight, and your weight is detrimental to your health.  Your internal organs are under constant stress from the pressure and strain of carrying that excess weight. You are at risk of developing a number of health conditions: asthma, sleep apnea, diabetes, heart disease, hernias, high blood pressure, etc. It is a fact not a judgement.  Your weight doesn't make you a bad person.  But your ability to "take on" someone twice your size doesn't make you a healthy person, just an immovable obstacle.  There is a difference.

WakeUpDouglasGA (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 9:26 PM)

I truly was in a state of surprise seeing Meredith interviewing the "football playing girl" after all the network's "so-called concern" about the issue of obesity in this country. Was this a last minute effort to fill in for a cancellation? I am truly disappointed in your decision to air this segment. This is not a good message sent to our youth at this time with an obesity epidemic.

Pat Labelle, Paradise Valley, AZ (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 9:42 PM)

Pat, I was surprised too that Meredith didn't even have the guts to ask Holley if she is concerned about the health issues that go along with a person being as overweight as she is, or if she is on any program to deal with her weight issue.  Talk about your proverbial "elephant in the living room" (no...I do not compare Holley to an elephant). Anyone who wasn't screaming into the tv "ask her what she had for breakfast/lunch/dinner!!!" is in complete denial.  Better yet, as her father if he knows the health risks that go with Holley's weight!!  I would like to hear that one!  They even wizzed past the fact that she is on (? is she on?) the Olympic power lifting team.  Why all the emphasis on her football playing, which from what I can tell is subpar, and only a brief mention from her father (I admit, I almost missed it) about her Olympic ambitions?  She's got a lot of problems ahead of her if someone doesn't knock this family on the head.  She should not be allowed to eat anything white for 3 years! And those who compare her ability to knock over someone "twice her size" (a 580-pound high school football player....really?) with someone who cannot, I'll tell you this.  Her being able to do that is no more difficult than a person who keeps themselves at a healthy weight and fitness level despite not being "naturally thin."  Only 30% of the people in this country, myself included, fit into that category, and I'll tell you it is hard work.  I can exercise at an aerobic level for 90 minutes, hike up a 1600-ft elevation mountain....can Holley or Cherity do that?  I didn't get this way by drinking soda and eating french fries (if I could, I would). And I have no desire to knock down someone twice my size, but if I wanted to I could....they would weigh less than either Holley or Cherity.  

RealityCheck (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 10:24 PM)

To the person that responded to Cherity, people of normal weight have diabetes, heart disease, etc. etc. etc. My question to you is, are you a physical?  If the answer is no then who are you to give a medical diagnoses.  Moreover, even if you are a physician you do not know these girls, their cases, or health status.  She does have a pediatrician that has been seeing her since she was a baby and has made no statements about her weight not to mention that these girls had to pass a physical in order to be eligible to play.  Why is the weight of these girls a problem?  No one seems to be concerned about the overweight male football players.  My daughter did state that "i take on twice my size at football games & practice” Notice the word "TWICE".  Wouldn't that mean boys BIGGER then her.  What a funny double standard we live in society these days!!!!!   Strength is what helps these girls play and play successfully not only weight!  Not to mention what type of person responds to a teenage female with such hurtful words.  It is people like you that cause EATTING DISORDERS.  SHAME ON YOU!!

Laurie, Douglas, Ga (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 10:29 PM)

Oh give me a break, Laurie!!  You are not serious! A person doesn't have to be a physician to see that Holley is morbidly obese (look up the diagnosis).  And just because "thin people get diabetes" does not change the fact that people who are obese are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes (the diet-controlled form - DUH).  Juvenile onset diabetes isn't a weight issue, it is a pancreas issue.  You need to educate yourself before you sit down to the keyboard. It is YOU who is hurting your daughter by not addressing her morbid obesity. It is a diagnosis, not a judgement, and your inability to see that is what will contribute to the EATING DISORDER she already HAS!!  If you post that you are in the 8th grade, weight 290 pounds and are 5 feet 9 inches tall....you ARE morbidly obese.  Period.  And yes, I have a medical background.  Not that that matters.  My teenage daughter can see a person who is morbidly obese.

Morbid Obesity is obesity which creates major existing or threatened secondary effects on the patient's health and well being.

Obesity means having a BMI (body mass index, a ratio of weight to height) of 30 or higher. Severe obesity -- also called morbid obesity -- begins at a BMI of 40. That's a weight of about 235 for a person who is 5 feet 4 inches tall and a weight of about **280 for a person 5 feet 10 inches tall**. The usual threshold for diagnosis of this condition is 100 pounds over ideal body weight, as determined by standard height/weight charts.

Examples of obesity-aggravated secondary health problems are arthritic symptoms on weight-bearing joints, **adult-onset (type 2) diabetes** (juvenile or type 1 diabetes is NOT related to weight, but to a pancreatic dysfunction!!), sleep apnea/severe snoring, hygiene problems related to skin folds, and depression/low self-esteem, hypercholesterolemia, etc.  

You should know these things, Laurie.  That you do not is very scary for your daughter.  You are not helping her by keeping the truth from her. I already said this is not judgement.  It is FACT.  She is putting herself at risk for serious health problems.  And you are not helping by sugar-coating (literally) the situation.


WakeUpLaurie (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 10:54 PM)

I think some of us are missing the point.  The point was a "FEMALE FOOTBALL PLAYER" not weight.  The story was not about her weight and health issues it was about how a female is advancing in the football profession and paving her way in life doing something that she loves to do.  I say don't pay anyone any attention and keep doing what you are doing.  A lot of girls don't realize that they have the option of playing football and this shows them that they can do it and are allowed to do it! You have shown my daughter that she is not alone and she can be successful in her venture into football.  Thank you for your article and may God be with you in all that you do in life.  I don't know you and am soooooo proud of you.  I enjoy watching our young females succeed in ALL that they do.  

Laurie, Douglas, Ga (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 11:04 PM)

And if she is being knocked around by boys "twice her size" 1) they are also morbidly obese, and 2) she should be able to handle the truth.  Someone has to give it to her (and you), and I don't dance around an issue.  Fact is fact, like it or not. Oh...and a physician is going to check the blood pressure and make sure she doesn't (yet) have a hernia or asthma, is musculoskeletally sound (no joint problems, again yet, or scoliosis).  They aren't going to discourage a child with an obvious weight problem from participating in sports.  You are not making sense with that arguement.  But I suspect you know that.

WakeUpLaurie (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 11:06 PM)

Maybe you should be the one to WAKE UP and realize that most of the football players in our society are overweight, rather it be muscle or fat!!  Do you know my daughter BMI I DON’T THINK SOOOO!     People like you need to keep your two cents to yourself; the rest of society does not want it imposed on them.  God help any of your family in the future that becomes overweight they will become anorexic due to YOUR CRITICISM.  You still seem to be stuck on female weight.  I am pretty sure the story was about a successful female football player not weight.    Not to mention that I don’t tell you how to tend to your children and I won’t take your advice.  We have a physician; I would think if her BMI was a problem he would inform us.  She has been checked for diabetes because her father who is not over weight has diabetes, she is HEALTHY!!!!  But thanks for your concern.    TO BAD ALL OF THE WEIGHT ATTENTION SEEMS TO BE DIRECTED TOWARDS THE FEMALES.  Not to mention that she discussed her own weight and physical state, so she does not need you POINTING it out to her!!

BUT, THANKS AGAIN for your concern for our children, it’s too bad that people don’t have better things to do then criticize.
I don’t care if you do say it is a fact that is up to the physician they are seeing.  I myself have taken courses throughout my major and am aware of what obesity is.

Laurie, Douglas, Ga (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 11:26 PM)

Would you tell a crack addict "it's okay Susie, you should just be happy with who you are, don't listen to those rude people who are telling you that you are hurting yourself, they are just horrible.... afterall...look at (insert name of latest Hollywood rehab guest here)...he/she is famous and successful and he/she uses drugs"  Would you do that with a drug addict?  So why do you do it with someone who is ruining their health with food?  THERE is your double standard!  And no, I don't think drug addiction is okay either. But obesity is just as unhealthy.  The only difference: food is a legal addiction. Imagine the health of the population AND the health of the planet if each person ate only what was necessary to sustain good health?  The impact is huge.  Think production, transportation, storage, health costs, fuel costs, etc, etc, etc.  Just imagine that then next time you go to the all-you-can-eat buffet. Gluttony and sloth are 2 of the 7 deadly sins for a reason!  

WhoIsSicker (Sent Tuesday, September 04, 2007 11:40 PM)



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