Maddy Paige said she was glad to be the starting defensive tackle on the Strong Rock Christian Middle School football team—that is until she was cut for being a girl, according to ABC 15 in Georgia.
Her family was very upset when they learned, not only that their daughter was cut, but why she was cut.
"What they've done here is they've taken Maddy, let her have that cake, then taken it away and they smashed it," said Maddy’s mother.
Maddy was not only the starting DT, she was also pretty good.
"I was put as defensive tackle -- first string," she said. "The coaches were really proud and my teammates -- you know -- pat on the back every time."
"The first sack that I made was in the fifth game. All the parents in the stands thought it was one of their boys. But when I stood up and they looked at their roster, and they saw it was me. I got amazing whoops and hollers," she added.
Then, out of nowhere, her spot on the team was gone: "The coaches told me I did really well and that my teammates supported me, and then all of a sudden, that they were taking that away from me. It really is just sort of like taking a dream and just throwing it in the trash."
"Our official policy is that middle school girls play girl sports and middle school boys play boy sports,” read a statement released by the school.
"What want her to learn is that her hard work and dedication pays off. In this case, her hard work and dedication got her kicked off a football team and that makes her feel like she's less worthy of a person," said Maddy’s mother.
Maddy’s family said they plan to appeal the school’s decision. They do not know what their next step will be if the school does not change its mind. However, the family said they will not accept the school’s attempt to put this type of restriction on Maddy’s privileges.
