16-year-old Arizona girl becomes place kicker for high school football team

TEMPE, AZ (WSFA 12) - While Monday night's championship game between Alabama and Clemson in Glendale, Arizona is drawing attention from across the nation, a football player at a high school in Tempe, Arizona is drawing attention from her community.

Krysten Muir has kicked her way into the local conversation. She is 16-years-old and a member of the Marcos de Niza High School football team.

"I just thought it would be fun," Muir said.

As a junior, Muir booted through 67 points worth of field goals and extra points for the Padres.

When asked if she has given up anything to play the game, Muir said, "I didn't give up anything. I like being busy. I like working really hard, so I didn't give up anything."

Khiry Keith admitted he initially thought having a girl on the team was a little strange. The respect didn't come right away, but Muir won the team over.

"You know, I've never seen a girl play football before but when she came out here working hard everyday; even in the weight room she was committed with it," said Keith, who plays center and sometimes left tackle for the Padres.

Former NFL tight end Ben Patrick serves as Krysten's special team's coach.

"She's worked at it. In fact, she's improved from the beginning of the season to now, and that's pretty much what I was looking for is how much will the player dedicate themselves to the craft," Patrick said.

With the help of Muir's leg, the Padres lost only two games in the regular season, but fell just short of reaching the state championship.

Krysten Muir will continue to hone her craft to get ready for the new season in the fall. That means between now and then she'll concentrate on one kick at a time.

Muir says that as far as she knows, she is the only active female high school field goal kicker in the state of Arizona. She says her goal is to one day kick on the collegiate level.

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