11-year-old from Grayslake takes third in NFL contest

Haley Leanna knows a lot about football.

She can name most Chicago Bears players, and even list them just by their number. She has collected many players' autographs.

And, the 11-year-old from Grayslake recently made a name for herself in the sport, taking third place nationally at the NFL Punt Pass and Kick competition.

Haley can be considered a multiple sport threat since football is not her only passion.

“She always has to have a ball in her hand of some sort,” said her mom, Bridgett.

Haley began playing soccer with brother Jeremy at age 2 and, after taking lessons, joined the Chicago Kickers, an all-boys team. At first, Haley said the boys laughed.

But when Bridgett asked what happened when they saw her play, Haley added, “They wanted me to play with them.”

She has since joined the Eclipse, an elite travel team.

She also has played basketball through the Grayslake High School feeder team and joined her soccer teammates to compete with the Antioch Vikings flag football team.

“It's easy for me to be a wide receiver because I play a goalie in soccer,” she said.

While she considers herself to be competitive, she knows how to be a good sport, too.

“She is very aggressive. She always wants to put her best foot forward, but she's always very gracious,” Bridgett said.

This was the second year Haley joined the NFL Punt Pass and Kick Competition, the largest sports skills competition open to ages 6 to 15. All participants launch one punt, one pass and one kick and earn scores based on distance and accuracy in feet.

“It's much better than tackle football because girls are able to do it,” she said.

To reach nationals, Haley took first place at one of eight sectionals in Illinois. The top four scores at sectionals go on to state.

At the state competition, held at Halas Hall, Haley scored 81 feet, 8 inches on her punt, a 71-foot pass and a 99-foot, 7-inch kick in the ages 10 to 11 girls division to take first and represent the Chicago Bears at the national finals. Luke Adams of Hinsdale also represented the Bears in the ages 6 and 7 division.

It's quite a feat for both considering more than 4 million kids begin the competition.

“Her father (Robert) thought all along she would make it,” Bridgett said. “She was surprised, I think, she made it so far. I think being so young, you don't realize ‘I can reach the top of the nation.'”

Haley traveled to the Georgia Dome to compete in the national finals during the NFC playoff game in Atlanta. There, Haley scored 90 feet, 3 inches on the punt, threw a 66-foot, 11-inch pass and completed a 94-foot, 6-inch kick to take third place.

Another thrill, Haley said, was to be able to play on the field where the players compete and meet Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub, who awarded her the trophy.

“It's a great experience and I'd like to do it again,” she said.

Haley can list many football players she likes to watch, but the most notable is Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould, who she wants to follow into high school and maybe professionally.

“She hopes to break down the barrier and be the first NFL woman kicker,” Bridgett said.