Holly Neher

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Holly Neher
Personal information
Birth name Holly Neher
Nationality United States
Height 5 ft 2 in (1.57 m)[1]
Weight 175 lb (79 kg)[2]
Sport
Country United States
Sport American football
Position Quarterback
Updated on September 6, 2017.

Holly Neher is an American high school football player. She is widely considered the first female in the state of Florida to throw a touchdown in a high school tackle football game. She is also the first female to start at quarterback in Broward County, Florida.

In her first two years at Hollywood Hills High School, Neyer played on the girls' flag football team. Before her junior year, she practiced with the boys on the tackle football team. One of three quarterbacks contending for the starting position, Neyer received national recognition after her first career pass went for a touchdown. She started the following game for the Spartans.

Early life

Neher grew up in Hollywood, Florida, with her mother Paula and younger sister Victoria. When Neyer was seven, her single mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer. She was given little chance of surviving. Her recovery from having both breasts removed was called a "miracle" by her doctors.[3] Neyer showed courage despite her young age.[2] She supported her mom during chemotherapy and took care of younger sister. Paula credited the experience to developing Neyer's determination and independence.[3]

High school career

Neyer played quarterback and wide receiver on the girls' flag football team in her first two years at Hollywood Hills High School.[2][3] She received honorable mention on the All-Broward team as a sophomore.[2] She was also the goalkeeper on the soccer team. Prior to her junior year, she trained in the offseason with the boys on the Spartans' tackle football team, who were coming off a 3–7 season.[2][3] Standing 5 feet 2 inches (1.57 m) and 175 pounds (79 kg), Neher could bench press 115 pounds (52 kg) in one repetition.[2] Paula did not block her daughter. Given her bout with cancer, she supported Neher: "My philosophy is never to regret. You go for what you want."[4]

Neher was one of three quarterbacks contending for the starting position at Hollywood Hills High School. Before playing in an actual game, Neher was gaining attention through the press.[5][6] She showed promise in an intra-squad scrimmage by completing a 60-yard touchdown pass.[2] Neher was a backup quarterback for the start of the game against Hallandale High School and entered the game in the third quarter. After two running plays, she completed her first pass for a 42-yard touchdown to Alexander Shelton. She finished the game going 2 for 4 with 66 yards and the one touchdown pass. Hollywood Hills lost by a score of 21–7.[7][8][9] Neher was widely declared to be the first female quarterback to throw a touchdown pass in a tackle football game in Florida.[10][11][12] However, a Florida High School Athletic Association spokesperson could not say for sure if Neher's pass was truly the first time a female high school player threw a touchdown pass, but after completing research they "believe it could be".[13] She received national publicity, appearing on USA Today, ESPN’s SportsCenter and ABC’s Good Morning America among others.[14] Video of her went viral.[15]

After a two-week break in high school play due to the effects of Hurricane Irma, head coach Brandon Graham expected Neher to see more playing time and possibly start the game,[14] She started the game and completed 5 passes for 120 yards, with 1 touchdown and 1 interception.[16] Hollywood Hills won the game 51–27 over Pompano Beach High School.[17] Neher became the first girl to start a high school varsity football game at quarterback in the history of Broward County, Florida.[18] She is also believed to be the first female to do so in the entire state of Florida[19] and possibly in the United States.[20] Neher did not start in her third game of her first season and saw little playing time, a 33–13 loss.[21]

Female football pioneer

Neher's achievements began to change the landscape of high school football almost immediately[22] as news of the accomplishment spread to Australia.[23] Within two weeks, Alexandria Buchanan became the first female to complete a high school touchdown pass in the state of Hawaii and student Bree Smith-Cheeks gained accolades as a high school female defensive line player in New Jersey.[24][25] Freshman Chris’tal Smith earned varisty playing time as both a running back and defensive player at Wolfson High School. Although there have been a number of females in football take roles as kickers, females who can express skills outside of kicking become international news.[26]

Neher's accomplishments put her on the national stage[27] and are held out as majors step toward involvement of female athletes and coaches in the sport of American football as well as an inspiration to female athletes everywhere.[28] The Miami Dolphins and the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality recognized Neher as the RISE High School Player of the Week.[29]

Personal life

Neyer also participates in other sports, is a standout student and member of the National Honor Society.[5]

See also

References

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  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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