From LeBron James to Billie Jean King, Vanderbilt football's Sarah Fuller earned praise from some of the biggest names in sports
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Sarah Fuller made history as the first woman to participate in a major Division I college football game when she kicked for the short-staffed Vanderbilt Commodores Saturday.
The women's soccer goalkeeper-turned-football kicker received praise from across the sports world after her historic feat.
From LeBron James and Ron Rivera to Sue Bird and Billie Jean King, check out the growing list of stars who have congratulated Fuller for breaking Power 5 football's glass ceiling.
Vanderbilt women's soccer's starting goalkeeper - Sarah Fuller - made history Saturday as the first woman to participate in a major Division I college football game.
READ MORE: Women's soccer star Sarah Fuller makes college football history with kickoff for Vanderbilt
And though she's receiving plenty of undue criticism based on her gender...
...she's also earned heaps of praise from some of the biggest names in the world of sports.
Tennis legend Billie Jean King, who knows a thing or two about breaking barriers, applauded Fuller "for blazing trails for the next generation."
—Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) November 28, 2020
And WNBA superstar Sue Bird was quick to remind the Twittersphere what a squib kick looks like.
—Sue Bird (@S10Bird) November 28, 2020
Her fiancée, US Women's National Team striker Megan Rapinoe, was completely starry-eyed over Fuller's feat.
—Megan Rapinoe (@mPinoe) November 29, 2020
Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera echoed a similar sentiment, commending Fuller both for making history and for "executing a perfect mortar kick."
—Ron Rivera (@RiverboatRonHC) November 28, 2020
And WNBA icon and current South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley cheered her on with "KICK that.....football!!"
—dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) November 28, 2020
The WNBA described Fuller as a boss woman.
—WNBA (@WNBA) November 30, 2020
LeBron James reshared a Sports Center Instagram post about Fuller and added "That's dope!!!!"
Source: Lakers Daily
And the XFL acknowledged that Fuller made "HERstory."
—XFL (@XFL2022) November 29, 2020
The NWHL, too, commended Fuller as "the first of many who are not held back by barriers and literally kick back hard against the odds."
—NWHL (@NWHL) November 28, 2020
Sports analyst and former NFL punter Pat McAfee defended Fuller on his show after some on the internet criticized her.
—Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 30, 2020
Legendary USWNT goalie Hope Solo tweeted "Go on Sarah!" for her efforts on the gridiron.
—Hope Solo (@hopesolo) November 27, 2020
And she, too, defended Fuller from critics.
—Hope Solo (@hopesolo) November 28, 2020
Superstar USWNT striker Carli Lloyd - who has considered a kicking career of her own after her soccer days are over - called Fuller's stint on the gridiron "Amazing!!!!"
—Carli Lloyd (@CarliLloyd) November 27, 2020
And the USWNT itself was all about the showing of girl power.
—U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) November 28, 2020
Former WNBA star and current San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon gave Fuller a shout out on her Instagram.
And San Francisco 49ers assistant coach Katie Sowers shared an Instagram video about the strides women have made in sports this year. Of course Fuller made the cut.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson called Fuller a "Legend!!!!"
—Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) November 28, 2020
Los Angeles Dodgers ace and Vanderbilt alum David Price told Fuller to "Anchor down" on Twitter.
—David Price (@DAVIDprice24) November 28, 2020
And Dr. Jen Welter - the first woman to coach in the NFL - said what Fuller did was "#kickglass."
—Dr. Jen Welter (@jwelter47) November 28, 2020
Finally, even Vanderbilt's opponents - the Missouri Tigers - congratulated Fuller for making history.
—Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) November 28, 2020
Now check out how Fuller responded to the lack of spirit on Vanderbilt's sidelines:
Sarah Fuller was 'pissed off' with the lack of enthusiasm on the Vanderbilt sidelines, and she told the team how she felt in an impassioned halftime speech
Read the original article on Insider