LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) -- Johnny Unitas, Joe Montana, Tom Brady are just a few names that come to mind when you think quarterbacks.
At one Jefferson County middle school, there's a signal caller changing the game in a way those greats never could.
Even at its earliest levels, football is not for the timid. At Louisville’s Crosby Middle school, these sixth, seventh, and eighth graders are learning a hard knocks approach to the game.
Like a band of brothers. This group is a family and like most football teams, the quarterback leads the way, but this isn't your typical team with a typical quarterback. They have Hannah Lee.
Hannah, a 12-year-old seventh grader, says an announcement at school sparked her interest.
"They didn't say any boy who wanted to play, they just said any student. I'm a student and I was interested. I thought why not." Hannah Lee said.
Through spring and summer practices Hannah battled on, when even her own family doubted her.
"We would give her outs. We would say are you sure you want to stick with this? Are you sure you want to do it? She'd come home from practice sweaty and say, mom I love it," Hannah’s mom Laura said.
Hannah admits both on the field and off the field, it hasn't been easy.
But she's overcome and now this quarterback will have her shot to make history.
"She's earned the right to start and lead our football program in this game Saturday," Coach Duane Williams said.
Her coaches believe she’ll be the first female to ever start at quarterback in Jefferson County.
"These are all like my brothers and I don't want to let my family down," Hannah said.
On game day, with her family in the stands, Hannah takes her first official snap.
After a stalled drive, it's back to the drawing board.
"My heart doesn't slow down when I’m here. It won't slow down probably until I get home with her safe and sound," Laura said.
Much like life, there isn't always a fairy tale ending. Bumps, bruises, and the occasional turnover happen each day. For Hannah, this experience is about more than touchdowns and triumph. It’s overcoming obstacles and proving that if there's a will, there's a way.
"Regardless of what comes at you the rest of your life, you will be able to take it on and you'll be successful 5, 10, 15 years down the road,” Coach Williams said.
