Think girls can’t play ball? Think again.
Mo’ne Davis broke records and boundaries this summer as the first girl to ever win a Little League World Series game. Now she’s scored another win: she’s been named Sports Illustrated's "SportsKid of the Year."
Prior to winning the title, the 13-year-old honor student from Philadelphia was the first little-leaguer to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated, and she joined baseball greats Hank Aaron and Joe DiMaggio when she had her jersey featured in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Davis is the ninth pint-sized athlete to be named "SportsKid of the Year" by the magazine. The award is given to a young athlete age 7 to 15 for superior performance at sports, in the classroom and or in service to their community.
According to Sports Illustrated, Davis was chosen for for her history-making performances on the field, but also her ability to inspire other young people. “When Mo’ne pitched the historic shutout at the LLWS, she did more than just play a boys game. She dominated it, showing the nation that a girl can throw heat, too. She also inspired countless kids to dream big. That’s why Mo’ne Davis is the 2014 Sports Illustrated Kids SportsKid of the Year.”
Davis’ school agrees. They also gave Davis an award reserved for the student who “has great tenacity in everything she does and inspires others to do their best work.”
Even the first Lady Michelle Obama threw Davis a congratulations message for snagging "SportsKid of the Year."
Kind of gives new meaning to the phrase "play like a girl."