RB Hannah DeGraffinreed
Nickname: Sunshine
Contact for Media Inquiry
Height: 5’10 Weight: 190
Age: 26
Experience: 3
Birthday: June 30, 1990
Born: St. Petersburg, FL
College: Univ. Of South Carolina in Aiken
College Sports: 4 years of Division 2 basketball
High School: Millbrook High School in Raleigh, NC
Favorite Sports Teams: What ever team Lebron James is on and THE Ohio State Buckeyes
Full-Time Occupation: Dicks Sporting Goods (3 years) and UPS (2 years)
Hobbies: I love to travel, go on adventures, workout, laugh, and have a good time with my friends.
Passions: I hope to one day own my own bakery
Other Sports played: Participated in shot put, discus, 4×800, and 4×400 (high school)
How you got into football: I started playing flag football four years ago and one of my teammates, Porschia Holmes, said I should try tackle. At first I said no because I was still trying to pursue my career in basketball. After a year of no overseas contracts I decided to give tackle a try and haven’t left since (also because I wanted her to stop asking me.)
Family: My parents are Paul and Carm DeGraffinreed and I also have one younger brother Matthew DeGraffinreed.
Pets: 1 dog Buster, he’s a Boxer
Two Truths & a LIE:
— My uncle played college football with Ben Roethlisberger.
— I am not Asian
— I took a picture with Ezekiel Elliott at the Pro Bowl.
In Her Own Words:
In high school I was named female athlete of the year my senior year. I also qualified for Nationals in track and field for shot put and the 4×400 in my junior and senior years of high school.
My senior year in college I received MVP for the Peach Belt Conference basketball tournament and in 2012 I was part of a US travel group that took athletes to different countries and played sports. My particular group toured Italy for 10 days while playing against local basketball teams.
Last year I was named MVP of the Founders Bowl for the IWFL with the Carolina Phoenix (before their move to the WFA.) During the off season, I play flag football with the JunkYard Divas. We are based out of Raleigh, North Carolina and are currently ranked 4th in the nation.
My brother, Matthew, played football at Western Carolina University and is looking forward to continuing his career in Canada or overseas.
I love the game of women’s tackle football because unlike other sports, it doesn’t matter what you look like. Every body size and shape is accepted and there is a spot and position for you. Take me for example, I look like I should be a wide receiver, tight end, or defensive end but the year I started playing for the Carolina Phoenix we had some injuries — so I stepped in one day as a running back. It was challenging at times but I worked hard and got better.
My favorite quote is “never give up, don’t ever give up” by Jimmy V. I take that very seriously in everything I do because I am such a competitor, and I want to be the best at whatever it is I do. On your way to being the best, you are going to run in to obstacles and persevering past those obstacles is what makes you great.
I would love for one day the women’s game to be on the same level as the NFL and maybe be in the Olympics with all the other sports. I also want to show other girls and women that it is ok to have muscles. I love to workout and I enjoy showing off my hard work and dedication.
I can’t wait for this once in a lifetime experience to represent my country playing a sport that I love. I also get to experience this with my best friend, Jewelle Grimsley, who is also on the team playing corner.
