Antoinette Harris becomes the first female to sign a letter of intent to play college football on a scholarship (Story)

Written by
Central Methodist Athletic Dpmt
Published
02/27/2019

In a ceremony held at East Los Angeles College on Tuesday afternoon, Antoinette "Toni" Harris announced her decision to sign with the Central Methodist University football team.

Harris was a 2014 graduate of Redford Union High School.

Harris, a 5-foot-7 free safety, is set to become the first female football player in school history and the first female skill position player to sign a letter of intent to play college football on a scholarship.

According to ESPN, Shelby Osbourne signed to play defensive back at Campbellsville (Ky.) University in 2014, but it's unclear if she received a scholarship.

"Toni Harris has shown great resolve in her journey and quest to be a college football player," said Bobby Godinez, who coached Harris at East Los Angeles College. "We all wish her the best in her journey beyond ELAC."

Harris chose Central Methodist over five other offers.

"I picked Central Methodist because of the resilience within the school itself and how Coach Calloway had been communicating with me before the Super Bowl stuff ever popped up," Harris said.

Harris gained national notoriety after starring in a Super Bowl commercial for Toyota earlier this month and has been interviewed by the likes of CNN, NBC News, and Sports Illustrated. She spent two seasons at East Los Angeles College and says she felt Coach Calloway had her best interest at heart during the recruiting process.

"As a coach, giving someone the opportunity to go to college and assist them in getting a degree, that's what it's all about," said Calloway.

"Sometimes you have to pick and choose," said Harris. "I feel that Central Methodist will be the perfect place for me."

Harris joins a 34-member recruiting class that features student-athletes from 10 different states.