Photo by Sarah Finnegan.
From left to right, Hannah, Bella and Katie Crim all are involved in different activities, but the sisters support each other in everything.
The Crim sisters are nothing short of unique. Hannah, Bella and Katie attend Homewood High School and Middle School and are spread across the entire spectrum of extra-curricular activities. One thing they do have in common is being under the Friday night lights.
Eleventh-grader Hannah is a varsity cheerleader, 10th-grader Bella is a Star Spangled Girl and Katie is the kicker for the seventh-grade football team.
With Hannah and Bella being so close in age, they have many similar activities. Bella said that they played the same position in soccer for several years, which bonded them tremendously. Besides their love for soccer and promoting school spirit, they are both involved in the Beta Club and show choir.
All three sisters are close and support each other. Both Hannah and Bella were worried about their little sister playing football at first. However, that worry has turned into unwavering pride.
“I was not surprised when Katie wanted to play because she talks about football all the time,” Bella said. “She could quote football stats of Alabama players from the time she was little. Hannah and I wanted to watch Disney channel and she wanted to watch ESPN SportsCenter.”
Katie agrees with her sisters and said growing up, friends would call her “Katie Crimson” because of her deep love for Alabama football. Katie has always had a passion for sports and started playing football at a young age with the boys in PE and in her neighborhood. However, it took a lot of courage for her to sign up to play for the middle school team.
“The fact that I have played with the boys most of my life was a huge factor in me having the courage to join the team,” Katie said. “I played with the boys during elementary school and I had been knocked down a few times and it wasn’t too bad. I thought it would be fun to play football for the school with my friends.”
There were different reactions to Katie joining the football team. Katie said many of her friends were supportive. However, some of the boys gave her a hard time at first. Katie’s hard work and determination over the summer, however, granted her respect.
Her parents have been extremely supportive. “My parents have always told me that I can do anything I put my mind to and encouraged me to do the best I can at whatever I try,” Katie said. “When I said I wanted to play football, at first they didn’t want me to. But when they realized how important it was to me, they went to talk to the coaches to see if I could try out.”
Michelle Crim, the girls’ mother, said she was hesitant at first to the idea of Katie playing football because she was concerned about the reactions.
“Middle school can be a difficult time and I didn’t want other kids in her grade being mean to her,” Michelle said. “But, we have been overwhelmed by the encouragement and support of parents, coaches and especially of her peers.”
The Homewood community has supported the Crims through all of their activities like one big family.
“I could not be more proud of my girls,” Michelle Crim said. “They are not perfect and just like all kids, they will make their mistakes. But even more than being proud, I am thankful.”
