Getting to play on Grosse Pointe South’s football team is something many boys dream about. But this year, a transgender female student will be taking advantage of that opportunity, writes Annabel Ames of The Tower, the Grosse Pointe High South student newspaper.
Meredith Knop, a senior, who prefers to be called “Seth” and referred to as “he,” says he wanted to try out for the team last year, but was too nervous. This year, he said he decided to go for something he wanted to do, and approached varsity coach Tim Brandon and junior varsity coach Brian Shelson about joining. Knop will be playing on the varsity team as a running back.
“I was going to play last year, but I chickened out,” said Knop. “I’ve always had a passion for football, but I never thought that I could actually play on the team. I found out that girls can play, but none of them ever felt like doing it.”
Despite the difference in gender, Knop said that the team and coaches have been accepting and treat him just like his team members.
“The kids in my grade respect me a lot for it, and they treat me just like everybody else, which is what I wanted,” said Knop. “Liam (McIlroy) and Brandon Cooper respect me a lot for it. Liam came up to me the other day and told me he had a lot of respect for what I did. I just told him I was doing what I love.”
McIlroy said he considers Knop a role model for “going against social norms” to doing something he loves.
“Seth’s actions joining the football team demonstrate someone willing to pursue a dream,” said McIlroy. “Learning the schemes of an offense and discovering his inner football player will take time. I commended his boldness early on in preseason.”
