HERRIMAN, Utah - A 9-year-old football phenomenon has received nearly 3 million hits on YouTube for outrunning all of her competition.
9-year-old Sam Gordon is the starting halfback for the Herriman Gremlins. She's collected a total of 1,911 yards on 232 carries, scoring 35 touchdowns in 9 games, and has had 65 tackles.
"When we saw Sam in the tryouts, trying out from the very first day, you can see that she had a natural ability that was unlike any other of the 8- and 9-year-olds that I've ever seen," said Gremlins coach Chris Staib.
In Sam's first game with the Gremlins, she scored a touchdown on the kick-off return, which is something everyone has started to expect.
"So basically, our whole offensive scheme centered around setting her up. We knew that once she broke outside she was gone. Because she was the fastest kid in the league at this age, there was nobody who was faster than her," Staib said.
She even has the nickname "Sweet Feet" for her super speed, but it isn't just speed that sets Sam apart.
"It's an uncanny ability, an athletic ability, where she can cut, and juke, and move, and pick up a hole on the offense. You can't even teach high school students how to do this, they either have it or they don't. And Sam has it, she's outstanding," Staib said. "She gets hit and she's got a kid dragging on her and she drags the kid for three yards after the first contact. That's what NFL players do. That's not what 8-year-old girls do, that's not what 8-year-old boys do."
Sam's talent, showcased in a YouTube video, has garnered her national attention. She's already been featured on network television, including SportsCenter.
"She's just got talent and it's a blessing she's on our team," said Joshua Staib, Sam's teammate.
