297-lb Texas boy too big to play 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."
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."
The fact that they are offering this kid a place on a middle school team tells me that the mother is trying to make an issue out of her son being told no. It's pretty obvious even without this rule that the smaller kids on both competing teams are likely to get hurt with the difference in size here. I wonder if she would feel the same if all the other players on the team were at least twice her son's size.
I understand the mom and son being upset, but the rules are in place for a reason. And her statement of "Football is a contact sport. If you don't want your son tackled, get him off the field." is completely irrelevant here. Why should they allow her son to play peewee football against kids that are the average size for 12 year olds. He is obviously significantly larger than the average 12 year old. They would have to take every kid under 180 pounds out of the playing field for those "small" kids to be safe. It isn't fair to the ones that aren't adult size at 12 Â years old if they were told to take their kid out of football if they don't want them tackled by a 300 pound player.Â
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I'm sorry but the mom is wrong on this one. Maybe she should petition to let her son play on a jr high team?Â
It's just flat-out amazing how big kids are these days. Â I volunteer at high school blood drives and there are many boys this kid's size or bigger (yes, I know he's in junior high) with full beards, and girls have double-D's. Â Crazy! Â But if I had a true pee-wee kid on the team, I'd be scared this kid would absolutely crush him to death. Â That's probably why there's a size limit.
 @Doxie It's all those hormones they are pumping into the cows that then go into us. Or it could be the fast food everyone eats, or the lack of regular physical activity. He practiced for only 3 weeks and that's probably the only movement he has ever had. I say good for him since it's never too late to become active(except death). As for it being hereditary, oh I believe that completely. But then again I also believe balanced diet, physical activity and normal size portions can counter hereditary obesity if truly followed. She better have great insurance because if her sweet bear of a child hurts another kid seriously, she should prepare for a lawsuit along with the League.
 @Robinsnest I believe it's the hormones too, but that kid is 6 feet tall!  That didn't come from overeating and not exercising.  That's just a big kid! I do hope he can find a sport he can play without killing someone.
its really ashame in this day when there are other boys & girls that are Large in size who Do Want to play sports Looks like Somebody in the districts; Parents, coaches ,Sponsers.whomever Need to Fight for these children to have a League of their own or atleast direct a couple of teams to include these large children also it may Help them in their own battles w/ their size Talk about not fair!!!don't All Children deserve to do the same things?Lookin around I'm sure they could find enuf to make a few teams
I love the judgmental comments about his weight. The kid is over 6 feet tall and is obviously a big boy. could he lose some weight? Sure (most of us could). But let's not get too hung up on the actual number. You can clearly see by looking at him that he's not grossly overweight. If he were perfectly fit he would still probably be 250 lbs and still be WAY over the limit for peewee football. As for the rule, I have to agree with it. I feel bad for him, but the rule is there for a reason. A kid his size could severely injure or even kill a smaller kid completely by accident. Not that it couldn't happen anyway, but being twice the size would increase that risk dramatically. I hope they can find him another option!
 @chuckh0308 Sorry, but at 6'1" he shouldn't weigh more than 195 lbs. At his height and weight he is considered just under morbid obesity but clearly obese. THAT is not just a big boy and if he continues on this track he will be dead by 25 years old.
 @Robinsnest  @chuckh0308Â
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You cant base anything on the BMI, it doesnt take into account any muscle and 6'1'' 195 is small for an athlete. Â He is definitely big for 12, but if he can get involved in sports now, now reason he cant monitor it. Â I am 6'1 240 but most people think im around 210, i was also 220 at 16 and no where near obese. Â Maybe you should understand what the BMI chart really is. Â
That's why they have the 6th grade football team. For kids to learn. His size will give him an advantage there as well. And it's in the rule book, it's not like they just made up the rule when they saw him.Â
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Jeeez lady, I remember kids not making the team for one reason or another. So get over it and show your son that there are other positive avenues to persue. This is what gives us goals to reach for.
He's the next Michael Oher. So what he can't play pee wee? He'll be sought after by the colleges when he gets to high school. When you get to high school Elijah knock 'em dead! I expect to see you in a draft pick in 10 years!
This boy's mother would have done her son a better service to go along with the rules and find something else her son can get involved with until he can go into football. She should be teaching her son that you just cannot have your way about every single thing - that's life, better to learn it at 12 than at a later age. I wouldn't want a son of mine to play against this man sized child - would she want her son to go up against some 12 year old that weighed 2 or 3 times what her son weighs? I think not.
 @Elaine2 The problem is due to her son's size she sees him as an automatic draft for the NFL. Therefore she is going to have a hissy fit if someone gets in the way of her sons future as a star. She is pointing fingers at the little skinny kids and saying to take them off the field if they don't want to be tackled. Obviously missing that there are safety concerns if a kid is that much bigger than the rest. She should definitely just wait until jr high or high school when there are no weight restrictions.Â
I have always detested football. I think it's a foolish risk of injury that serves no real purpose. I can understand the boy being frustratedâyes, even though he's big, he's still a boy. I'm not sure that his mother is handling it in a positive way. Does she really think it's o.k. to put other kids at risk? This is one of those situations where there are no easy answers.Â
He's fine for middle school football. I really don't understand his comment that he's not experienced enough for middle school. A coach will put him situations that are to his level. My son was 6'1, 180lbs in 8th grade. He still went against guys even bigger than him..A kid from one team had a beard!
I do have to admit (although I don't want to) that the boy is too big for PeeWee football. He can seriously injure someone since he is twice their size. HOWEVER there should be other football programs out there that he can join. He's 12? My 12 year old son is going into 7th grade. Middle schools/junior highs have football teams. Why can't he play for the school?
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Or hell, why doesn't the local high school football coach take this kid under his wing? He'll have a couple years to groom him before high school and by then he could be unstoppable.
 @Tattooed_Angel The coach suggested he play for the Middle school team but they said because of his lack of football experience he wanted to feel out the game in Peewee.  Sounds like the mom is trying to make a big deal to set up a discrimination lawsuit to me. The boy can play for his school team and the claim that he is not experienced sounds like bs to me. at 300lbs he does not need experience.
 @Tattooed_Angel Twice their size? More like three times their size.
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I was the second largest (heaviest) guy in my high school PE class and when the wrestling section came along I was teamed against the heaviest guy. Tony out-weighed me by more than thirty pounds and he won most of the matches because he got on top of me and then would rise up and fall on me. I hate to imagine what a kid weighing two or three times as much as me would have done.
As the mother of the "big kid" on his football team, I find this child being excluded disgusting! My son is in 7th grade and is 5'7" and weighs 160 lbs. He is a center and DL that has been playing against kids significantly bigger than him since 4th grade. If we had that weight limit where we live (Lakewood, WA), half the county wouldn't be eligible to play. We live in a town that had 6 "peewee" football programs. Football is a dangerous sport. You are going to get hit and hurt. Each season my son looks like a chemo patient with all the bruises all over him (including perfect hand prints on each arm), but that is FOOTBALL!!! If you don't want your kid get hit or tackled by kids that are bigger than they are....sign them up for baseball. As for "being fed to obesity"....you don't get to be 6'1" at 12 years old because of your eating habits. My niece is not even 2 years old and is 3' tall.
 @erika1282 At 160 pounds, your kid is technically over the weight limit, yes, but not nearly to the proportions of a 300-pound kid playing against those weighing 135 pounds or less! I wouldn't be nearly as upset seeing your 160-pounder crashing into my 120-pounder as I would seeing this man-sized boy bearing down on him in the open field.
Bambi vs Godzilla.
How about parents being realistic and using common sense. Obviously a child that size can do serious physical damage to other kids. Damage that could effect these children for life.
 @Misselley Yup. You can mend a broken arm, but brain damage from series of concussions is permanent.Â
 @Misselley Or even Affect them for life.
He is a very big kid. If he can stay away from trouble his size may very well take him somewhere in this sport. But I have to agree with the league and even though he is twelve years old his size is outside the safe playing limits for Pee-Wee Football. He may not have the coordination of a man but he is every bit a man-sized kid and could really hurt the other players playing at half his size.
" If you don't want your son tackled, get him off the field." Â Really Ms. Earnheart?!?!? Â You should have known better than to think your "little" boy could play peewee anything! Â He's anything but "peewee"!!! Â I wouldn't want my boys playing anywhere near him in a game of peewee anything. Â Look at him?! Â However he got to his size, it's clear that he far exceeds the weight requirement for the game. Â Age nothin'! Â Quit boohooing and causing an uproar because you feel your "little" boy is discriminated against. Â Height, fine. Â Not much you can do about that but you sure as heck can help decrease that weight of his. Â Maybe just maybe once that's under management, he can play basketball. Â Until then, feel good that you are saving the lives of other children your son could possibly crush on the field and accept the fact that he just can not play peewee football, quite whining and move on. Â
What's more humiliating for the poor kid, being too heavy for Pee Wee football, or THAT going around town (and now appearing on television and the Internet) wearing a shirt proclaiming herself his No. 1 fan? Yikes, mom, how about some perspective?
That poor kid. His mom has fed him to obesity. Then wants to put the blame on everyone else. The shame of the situation is that he is only 12 years old. Thinks and acts like a 12 year old. That has to be rough going to school ridiculed because of your size, and you can bet that happens. Hopefully one good person will intervene and help him with image issues as well as psychological issue that can arise from kids being picked on or teased, My suggestion to mom is feed your son more healthy meals. No pop, chips, pork rinds and get him moving.
 @Luciferian It's likely the growth hormones found in many of our low-quality foods. The reality of physics should be enough to keep this kid out of peewee football.
 @MyTacoma I agree with you 100%. Kind of like the corn adverts stating corn sugar is no different than cane sugar. In fact most of the corn which they use for high fructose corn syrup which in in damn near everything, is made with GMO corn from Monsanto. Getting to my point, GMO corn has Bacillus Thuringiensis genetically spliced into the corn to kill bugs. I could spend all night on the subject. Here's a link .
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http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/10/06/dangerous-toxins-from-gmo-foods.aspx
I'm not sure that the mother's feeding habits made him grow that tall . . .
Look at mama, what a classy all American family lol
Maybe wrestling would be a better sport for him.
 @MyIdeas See my comment later in this thread.
Good thing the kid doesn't want to be a jockey...
 @Sid Vishess If he wants to be a jockey, he should get to be one! How dare you tramp on his most basic human rights? I'm sure there are plenty of horses that would love to haul around a 300-pound rider! You're just being mean and discriminating him because he happens to be a teensy bit larger than most jockeys!
 @MargeGunderson You're right. I am a weight-ist!
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"Here are your over-weights and changes for Emerald Downs Racing. In the first race, #2 'Gluepot,' is 180 pounds over..."
 @mstipton  @Sid  @MargeGunderson That's me! Now Providing Comedy Gold Over 14% of The Week!
@Sid Vishess @MargeGunderson I can always count on Sid for a Friday chuckle. Thanks!
@MargeGunderson @Sid Vishess Get real........The kid looks like man. Have him turn out for his middle school team. I bet his middle school would be happy
There is a reason why you wouldn't want a 300 lb "child" playing against a 120, even 135 lb child...there is a distinct risk that cannot be understated. I'm sorry if this young man doesn't qualify to play in this particular league, but he has other options. Far be it from me to suggest his mother stop catering to his every whim and let him know that life does have its disappointments, he won't always get his way. His mother, BTW, is a real piece of work if she fights to get him playing privileges...obviously, there is little concern for anyone else's safety in her way of thinking.
I get so angry when I read comments like "Seek a nutritionist" Do you live in their lives? I have a son the exact same size and weight, only 15 years old. Do you think we are unaware of the risks of having that extra weight? Judgemental people sicken me.
 @Karyn Mine is also about that height and weight. He's a good boy who works hard and now has some muscle definition too, and he has started paying attention to all my talk about healthy food choices. We don't need it from strangers. I'm getting closer to my own goal weight day by day. It is incredibly hurtful to hear some stranger remark about how I need to be walking when I am out walking. It actually makes me want to crawl away and hide, but I keep walking. Say something about my kid and you'll see me fly - straight to your face, fist first.
@Karyn I am won of those people that is very large..... But I know that I have to be real with my self and try to make a positive out of a negative. I also have had very large kids assigned to me and it was because I was big as they were and would not let them get away things becuse they scare me.
It's not "judgemental" to see the FACT that he is 297 lbs and doesn't qualify to play pee wee footbal. For me it's that simple. It's common sense and doesn't require rude comments about his parenting and so forth. Let's move on there is nothing to see here.
 @Karyn When a person gets defensive and dismissive about their weight and the weight of their family members and acts like that weight shouldn't be a barrier to them playing a dangerous contact sport with much smaller people, that sickens me. It's shameful and sickening for her to be so disregarding of the health of her son and the safety of those she would pit him against by making statements like "Football is a contact sport. If you don't want your son tackled, get him off the field," instead of acknowledging that there is an additional risk for those boys who are only a third of the size of her son if they were to be tackled by him. It's an attitude of entitlement, and there is no entitlement to play football in a private league if you do not meet their requirements.
 @spacegoddess I didn't say he should play in that league. I said people should stop being so damn pious about his size. Genetics are a huge role, but as the mother of an exact same size teenaged boy, I  can assure you, AFTER I went to the nutritionist, he gained more weight. The food pyramid, taught by ALL nutritionists is exactly what you feed a cow to fatten them up in a year. Only after going off the reservation and finding what works for my own son without medical intervention was I able to help him lose weight, but he will never be 145 lbs like his classmates. He will always be the 6 foot plus giant. (I expect by the time he hits 21, he will have attained the height of 6'6").
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Technically, mom and son are clinically obese. Â Son would be better served by mom seeking the help of a nutritionist.
 @Jennifer While I agree that he's too big for Peewee football, I hardly think he's obese. He looks like he could lose some weight, sure. But looking at this picture, I don't see obese. Mom, on the other hand, is a different story.