Jordan sophomore Crystal Jones has been playing flag football since a young age. Throughout the years, she has been playing at quarterback and running back.
“I could tell them the plays and I could tell them where to go,” Jones said. “I’m depending on if they get a touchdown or not.”
This is her first season playing for the Bulldogs girl’s flag football team. Being at the helm of the team can be challenging, especially when playing against more experienced squads.
“It’s tough because they know a lot more than us,” Jones said. “It’s tough when they get the ball and we have to get them.
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Going up against Coliesum League foes like Crenshaw and King/Drew taught Jones the importance of remaining agile and diligent. She also learned the importance of having a short memory.
“Don’t get in our feelings about the game,” Jones said. “I know because I get in my feelings a lot but I have to just push through it.”
Jones instills the importance of not giving up and having a short memory into her teammates. She makes sure to root for them on the sidelines to keep them encouraged during games.
For Jones, being a student athlete means to have good grades and good student conduct.
“Keep my grades up, that’s when it means,” Jones said. “To not get grade cut, to not fight in school.”
Jones had to work hard to get into good academic standing. When she has a game, she makes sure to discuss to her teachers what classes she will miss and what assignments she will have to turn in.
“I had to catch up on all the work that I missed …that’s really hard,” Jones said. “But the athlete part is really easy because it’s after school but when it’s games, that’s when I miss out a lot of my classes.”
Along with flag football, Jones plays basketball and runs track. She competes in the 100m, 200m and the 4x100m relay. The teamwork in the relays helped Jones in flag football.
“It’s more team work in the 4x100m , it’s more effort to put in,” Jones said. “That’s how flag football is, you have to put effort and teamwork.”
Jones aspires to be a professional flag football player. He older brothers helped train her as a quarterback. They taught her to not back down during games.
