The mother of a 12-year-old football player from Philadelphia has revealed he is 6ft tall and 340 pounds, and was long bullied for his size before developing his skills on the field.
Nyeem Powell towers over his teammates – and even his coach – at the West Philly Panthers youth team, but his mother, Rashaanah Conix Powell, says he is a humble kid and shy ‘big teddy big’ who wants to be a role model for children like him.
After a video of Nyeem playing football went viral, social media users were in disbelief that he was just 12 years old. The average height and weight for a boy of Nyeem’s age is 4.5ft to 5.3ft, and 66 to 130 pounds, according to Children’s Wisconsin.
It’s not clear what sparked Nyeem’s growth spurt but he appears to have a bright future in football thanks to his unusual size and skills.
To Nyeem, football means ‘everything,’ and it was through the sport that he was able to overcome the negative comments he received about his size, his mother said. He now looks forward to one day following in the steps of accomplished football players like Reggie White.
Video courtesy of Yeasports
West Philly Phanters 12-year-old defense football player Nyeem Powell has become an internet sensation. Pictured is Nyeem (left) greeting a much smaller opponent
At 12 years old, Nyeem is already 6ft and 340lbs. It’s not clear what sparked Nyeem’s growth spurt but he appears to have a bright future in football thanks to his unusual size and skills
Social media users were left baffled after learning the boy, who has the body of an adult, is only 12 years old
Nyeem Powell’s mother, Rashaanah Conix Powell said it was hers and her husband’s idea that Nyeem should play football, and it proved to be a success
Rashaanah said: ‘So many children his size look up to as a role model. Nyeem wants children to know just because you might not be the same size as others doesn’t mean you can’t do it.
‘Nyeem had low esteem about his weight because people used to tease him on and off the field. But through playing better he has developed more confidence to overcome those negative remarks from others. He learned how to get through it and take out on the field.
‘Nyeem is a very humble and shy person. His teachers also loves to call him their big teddy big. ‘
Rashaanah said it was hers and her husband’s idea that Nyeem should play football, and it proved to be a success. Out of the 12 games he’s played this year, Nyeem’s team has only lost one.
He plays defensive nose tackle and offenses right guard.
Nyeem started playing football when he was eight years old, and was nicknamed ‘big eight.’
Rashaanah said that he never thought about playing football when he was younger, but now dreams of becoming an NFL player.
‘Nyeem had no clue how to play football his first year he started. He was so scared but with the help of Coach Nate and other coaches they helped him get through it,’ said Rashaanah.
Coach Nate is not only Nyeem’s mentor on the field, he’s also his godfather.
Nyeem started at the Overbrook Monarchs but due to his weight he had to transfer to the Panthers, where there is no weight requirement, in 2018.
During his three years with the Panthers, he’s played more than 70 games.
But the 12-year-old’s talents go beyond football. He is very artistic and likes drawing, dancing and playing videogames, his mom said.
Powell (right), standing next to his couch (left) is only 12 years old. He usually is number 40 and plays defensive nose tackle and offenses right guard
In a video compilation that went viral, Powell can be seeing showing off his skills on the field. Although Nyeem used to suffer from low self esteem due to remarks people made about his weight, through football he has gained confidence on the field
Nyeem wants children to know just because you might not be the same size as others doesn’t mean you can’t do it,’ said his mom
YouTube users agreed that a brilliant future awaits for Nyeeem.
‘He got a good future if he keeps on, working on his skills, learning new skills and keeps on developing all around.’ said one user.
Footage of him playing has already racked up almost 40,000 likes and two million views. In the clip, Nyeem can be seen time and time again tackling other players to prevent them from getting the ball.
In another video, Nyeem greets his smaller opponents with firm handshakes.
Nyeem has at least three more years in the West Philly Panthers, as football teams there are for children ages 5-14.
The West Philly Phanters is a non-profit organization that provides a variety of sports activities in Philadelphia since the 90s.
In the comment section of the video, Nyeem was encouraged to keep playing the sport as many hoped to one day, perhaps, see him playing in the NFL.
The video showing Powell’s best moments has become viral. It has over 2 million views and has earned almost 40,000 likes
In the comment section of the video, Nyeem was encouraged to keep playing the sport as many hoped to one day, perhaps, see him playing in the NFL