Giant boy barred from peewee football
MESQUITE, Texas (AP) — A suburban Dallas boy has been barred from playing peewee football because the league says he is just too big at nearly 300 pounds.
Mesquite Pee Wee Football Association President Ronnie Henderson said the rules are clear and 12-year-old Elijah Earnheart is not eligible.
The 6-foot-1-inch boy exceeds the 135-pound limit for seventh-graders, and he got the bad news last Sunday when the league held its official weigh-in.
Henderson said he asked Elijah whether he was in sixth or seventh grade, then told him "no need going" any further.
Cindy Earnheart, the boy's mother, said she was incensed and Elijah was humiliated.
"They would not even let him weigh in on the scales like every single boy out there," she said. "He might be the size of a grown man but he's 12 years old and he has feelings, too."
Elijah, who describes himself as a "gentle giant" and dreams of someday playing pro football, said the turn of events was unfair.
"I'm not sad, I'm mad that I don't get to play," Elijah said. "I've been practicing for three weeks."
Henderson said three other boys were turned away that day because of safety concerns for other players.
"We've got little boys that play against him that are 85, 95 and 100 pounds," Henderson said. "We have to look out for all the kids, not just him."
Cindy Earnheart said her son was feeling self-conscious about his size until he discovered peewee football. His barber happened to coach a team, the Mesquite Vikings, and suggested the boy join. Coach Marc Wright said a passage in the rulebook seemed to indicate that youths who weigh more than 135 pounds could play, but only on the offensive or defensive line.
At his physical last month, Elijah's doctor said he weighed 297 pounds and stood 6-feet-1½ inches tall. His mother said they special-ordered his helmet, shoulder pads, pants and jersey because of his size, which she said is hereditary in her family.
Elijah took the practice field, looming over boys more than half his size, and was thrilled..
When he's playing football Elijah said, "I feel energetic. I feel happy."
He practiced with the Vikings for three weeks and even took part in a scrimmage. Then came the weigh-in.
Henderson said the exception in the rulebook was meant for sixth-graders who can weigh as much as 160 pounds. He suggested Elijah play for his middle school team, but the boy doesn't have much football experience and was hoping to feel his way in peewee first.
Cindy Earnheart said barring her son was discrimination.
"No one is telling boys who are too thin or too small that they can't play football," she said. "Why tell my kid he's too big?
She added: "Isn't bigger better in football? Football is a contact sport. If you don't want your son tackled, get him off the field."
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press
micheal oher is 6'4 313lbs
on a side note. the PeeWee football league should have warned the mother that her kid was just WAY too big. Im assuming the mother bought the special order helmet and pads. BUT that should have been a red light. and obviousley they are not hurting for money too pay roughly 600 dollars for them (if they bought them).
im not sure where playing with the middle scholl is an option. he is as big as college and even pro players. were talking about grown men. Pee wee football did the right thing. and i would hope the middle schools would say he nees too play at the JV highschool level. he doesnt seem too look "obese" and more inshape. if meory servers me right he is about the same size as MICHEAL OHERÂ right tackle (left tackle this year) for the ravens. so think about a PRO FOOTBALLLÂ size player in a game iwth your 10-12 year old.
The height might be hereditary, but I have to wonder about the health ramifications of a 12 year-old boy who already weighs (basically) 300 pounds. Either way, he is too big to be playing such a rough sport with kids who are at least half his weight and most likely at least a foot shorter as well!
 I think its a safety issue! plus you can be to small to play pee wee football. My sons mighty mite team you have to be at least 60 lbs. He is 8 years old and 58 lbs he just had to eat more for a few days.
yet the other parents didn't complain.....that their sons couldn't play....
Baby huey.. they don't make pads to take the kind of hits he'll dish out =) man child ...Mom ain't no little gal eather
bucket chicken don't go far in that family=))
It's called PeeWee football for a reason LOL!!