Girl Soars Like An Eagle On The Gridiron

By Jennifer Loren, The News On 6

TULSA, OK - A Tulsa Edison senior took the field in the school's season opener against Tulsa McLain.  But, for the special player, Friday's game wasn't just about winning or losing.  For her, every game is a win.

Beneath the sweat, the pads, and the cheers of a Friday night crowd, an unlikely Edison Eagle waits for her turn to fly onto the football field.  Ciera Payne is a five foot tall nose guard.  The team calls her C Pain.

"I've played a little bit of offense. But, I'm mainly a defense girl. You know, I like defense," said Ciera Payne.

Payne is a senior at Edison Preparatory School.  She says playing football in the yard with her little brother just wasn't good enough anymore.

"Listening to the boys in my class talk about how great it is, the experience, it just seemed like something I wanted to do," said Ciera Payne.

Coach Wade Weller says he told her it wouldn't be easy.

"I told her, I said, listen I'm not going to treat you any different because you're a girl. You're going to go through the weight program. You're going to go through the conditioning program. And, when we go through spring ball you're going to suit up and I'm going to put you out there with everybody," said Coach Wade Weller.

Payne was up for the challenge.

"You know, everyone more worried than I was. I mean I'm tough. I can handle it. It wasn't that big of a deal to me. It was just like a kid on the first day of school to me," said Ciera Payne.

Now with two games under her belt, dozens of new brothers and her own team of unofficial cheerleaders, Payne says she's crossing that line was one of the best decisions she has ever made.

"It's not just a boys' sport anymore, you know. I'm showing everyone that girls can play and they can be good at it," said Ciera Payne.

Ciera says the team has become like her extended family, and to be a part of it, win or lose, she says is an encouraging experience.