Toni Harris is first woman to receive college football scholarship

22-year-old Detroit native Antoinette “Toni” Harris is the first woman ever to receive college entry on a full football scholarship. Harris also has aspirations to be the first woman to play in the NFL.

Harris also participated in cheerleading and track and field in high school, but her heart has always been with football. She played in high school and said that her teammates were sceptical st first but eventually accepted her as part of the team.

Not only did Harris face gender obstacles to get where she is, but she faced health obstacles as well. When she was 18, she received an ovarian cancer diagnosis and lost more than half of her already small frame. She went into remission the same year she was diagnosed.

She was told she may not be able to move onto college ball but played free safety for Golden West College. She played for two years there and then received several scholarships to four-year colleges.

She signed with Central Methodist University. Harris said that after she is done with college and football she would like to work as a forensic homicide detective.

Her story will be featured in the Toyota commercial that will at during the Super Bowl.