Stop Telling Kids That They’re Too Small to Play Football

When kids are growing up and learning about sports and how to play them, many are told that they are too small to play a certain sport.

We need to stop sending that message to the future of the sports we love.

We have seen athletes that are deemed "too small" excel at their respective sport at the highest level.

For example, arguably the greatest soccer player of all-time Lionel Messi just led Argentina to glory in the 2022 World Cup, bringing it home for the 1st time since 1986. For reference Messi stands at 5-foot-7, the 6th shortest at the tournament and the shortest on the Argentinian National Team.

Arguably the greatest "small" athlete to ever suit up is Mugsy Bouges. Bouges is the shortest player to ever play in the NBA, standing at 5-foot-3. Bouges also wasn't a benchwarmer, he was a key role player for four teams, most notably for the Charlotte Hornets from '88-'98. During his 14 NBA seasons, Bouges averages 8/2/8 while also averaging two steals a night.

Another short NBA legend is Spud Webb, who measured in at 5-foot-7. Webb remarkably won the '86 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, becoming the shortest player ot ever win the NBA's dunk contest. Webb is believed to have a 42-46 inch vertical.

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Saturday, we saw this undersized excellence from two of the best players in college football.

First off lets start with one of the most explosive tail-backs in the nation, Deuce Vaughn. The 5-foot-6 Wildcat ran free on Alabama's defense Saturday, running for 133 yards on 22 attempts, including a 88-yard touchdown run to give the Wildcats a quick 10-0 lead in the 1st quarter.

Vaughn didn't receive much help from the rest of his offense, as Kansas State signal-caller Will Howard barely completed 50% of his passes, only finding success on 18-of-35 passes.

Vaughn's combination of contact balance, burst, and speed makes him one of the best tailbacks in the nation, drawing comparisons to fellow Kansas State Wildcat, Darren Sproles.

Another elite player who many experts consider to be to small to be a top NFL quarterback balled out Saturday, proving all the haters wrong is Bryce Young.

Over the past two years, Young has been one of the best (if not the best) quarterbacks in the nation. With Young entering the NFL draft this year, one of the biggest critiques of his game is his slight 6-foot-0 194 pound frame, which many people believe to be smaller.

Young picked apart the Wildcat defense Saturday, throwing for 321 yards on 21 attempts, finding the endzone five times in his final collegiate game.

No matter what sport you play, if you are told that you are "too small" to excel at a sport, Vaughn and Young are both excellent short kings to admire.