# @flagfootball on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CSxsIwSAB3U
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/16514494-flagfootball-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/c978c614a9.jpg
- **Posted:** 2021-08-20T00:39:01.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** American Flag Football League (@Flagfootball) — https://gondola.cc/Flagfootball

## Caption

“Underestimated, challenge accepted. 

The first time I told a guy to “go deep” in a huddle, there was snickering & echoing “Hey man…she told you to go deep.” 

That was the first time I ever QB’d at beach. 

Another time during a close game, a teammate of mine, snatched the football out of my hands and yelled “I’m throwing now!” Had he just asked to throw, I would’ve said yes.  But because of his aggressive approach, I told him, “You can leave.” 

One of the first times I QB’d in a co-ed league, a female opponent kept criticizing me as a QB while I was playing well.  With no other women throwing out there, I thought “shouldn’t we as women be supporting each other?” Luckily her female teammates started defending me. 

Every time I step onto the field, I feel the pressure to perform ‘cuz if I played badly, people may think, “see? Girls can’t QB.” I wanted to help show what was possible for women. 

Sports was a refuge for me and teams gave me a sense of belonging. I often felt like an outsider as a poor immigrant at a school with very few Asians. 

I never had the chance to play football.  So I played soccer, volleyball, then lacrosse. 

Despite my athletic endeavors, I would get asked, “Do you eat, sleep, and breathe education?” 

It didn’t matter that I was an All-State lacrosse player.  All many of my classmates could see was a stereotype, someone who couldn’t possibly have interests beyond getting good grades.

When I got to USC, a stranger asked me “Are you an athlete?” and I was so shocked and overjoyed.  No one EVER assumed that me, this short Asian woman, was an athlete.

I am so grateful to the coaches, teammates, and even my haters (I appreciate the motivation!) for helping me grow. 

I am so thrilled to see the growth of the women’s game and the young girls coming up who are dominating already. 

I was the #on1ygirl then, so no one has to be the on1ygirl now.”

Amazing story from she-blitz QB, @jonaxiao - We look forward to watching her in the Semi-finals next weekend! #WomensDivision #FlagFootball #AFFL

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 459
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- **Comments:** 16

## Tags

womensdivision, on1ygirl, affl, flagfootball

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