Shatiana Suddreth is described as tough, committed and dedicated by her head coach, who praises her strength to break barriers. 

Suddreth joined the Dewitt Clinton High School football team and is the first female to do so. Standing at 5 feet, 5 inches, she is a starter on special teams, and says that there’s nowhere she’d rather be.  

“I like competitiveness and I like hitting, so then since I grew up around boys, I’m just aggressive, so football was for me,” said Suddreth.  

In just the last two weeks, her play encouraged another young woman to take the gridiron – Amber Alexander, the newest member of the junior varsity team. 

“I hope that girls actually get the courage, the confidence to join sports that they really want to join and don't be scared to join it, like prove them wrong and watch you stay,” said Suddreth.  

Dewitt Clinton takes on the Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn on Saturday, where Suddreth will be starting on the kickoff team.