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American Morning

Memorable Moment

Aired December 27, 2002 - 08:36   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Extra point attempt was no good. It didn't matter, though. Katie Hnida made her point when she ran on to the field securing a place in the college football history. With her kick against UCLA in the Las Vegas Bowl on Christmas Day, the New Mexico junior became the first player to play in a Division I football game, to which we say, you go, girl.
Katie Hnida is our guest in Denver, Colorado. Thanks for getting up so early.

Good morning.

KATIE HNIDA, KICKER : Hey, no problem. Good morning to you guys, too.

KAGAN: You have to tell us what it feels like to be part of sports history.

HNIDA: Oh, wow. You know, it's so funny, I never really think about being a part of history because, for me, playing football has always just been what I do, you know, I'm a football player.

KAGAN: How many girls can just say that, Katie? It's what I do, I'm a football player.

HNIDA: I know. I guess that is true.

KAGAN: We should say, I used to cover sports and this story has been growing as time goes on. There's been girls trying to play in high school, and I know you played in high school and women who have played on other college teams, but you're the first woman to get into a Division I football game, and that is the significance of your accomplishment this week.

KAGAN: Uh-huh. I'm sorry.

I don't want to interrupt you there.

HNIDA: No problem.

KAGAN: When did the coach tell you were going to go into the game?

HNIDA: Well, he let me know probably about 10 minutes into warm- ups that I was going to get to go in and kick off for an extra point.

KAGAN: Butterflies in the stomach, or? HNIDA: Yes, I was pretty calm, surprisingly. I've been waiting so long for this to happen, I thought I was going to be a lot more nervous, but I don't think it really sunk in.

KAGAN: I think the extra point came because of a defensive return touchdown.

HNIDA: Yes, that's correct.

KAGAN: So the coach tells you that you're going in. So just talk us through as if we are with you on the field there, from the sidelines on to the field.

HNIDA: Well, the guy ran it back, Desmar Black (ph), and I just kind of trotted on out there and did what I always do, took my steps back, ran up. I really sort of zoned out and tried to block out the rest of the stadium, so I could just concentrate on my kick and the snap came down, hold, then I went to kick it and watched it go up, and then watched this big defensive lineman's hand go up also. So I keep on replaying that over and over again in my mind.

KAGAN: A disappointing moment, it did not turn out like you wanted to. The kick was blocked. You didn't get the extra point. What was the reaction from your teammates?

HNIDA: My teammates were so fabulous. I think almost every single one of them came over, you know, and patted me on the head or gave me a hug and said, "Don't worry about it. You'll get it next time." They are really one of the main reasons this has worked out for me at this level, because I have such a fantastic group of guys and my coaches are really just phenomenal.

KAGAN: Katie, there are critics who say women have no place in football, let alone, Division I, and the fact you missed the kick is proof of that. What would you say to those critics?

HNIDA: I would tell them to keep watching, and I will be very, very happy to prove them wrong.

KAGAN: And we will be watching and wish you well with that. Katie Hnida, thank you and good luck with your future kicks.

HNIDA: Thank you very much.

KAGAN: There you go.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired December 27, 2002 - 08:36   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Extra point attempt was no good. It didn't matter, though. Katie Hnida made her point when she ran on to the field securing a place in the college football history. With her kick against UCLA in the Las Vegas Bowl on Christmas Day, the New Mexico junior became the first player to play in a Division I football game, to which we say, you go, girl.
Katie Hnida is our guest in Denver, Colorado. Thanks for getting up so early.

Good morning.

KATIE HNIDA, KICKER : Hey, no problem. Good morning to you guys, too.

KAGAN: You have to tell us what it feels like to be part of sports history.

HNIDA: Oh, wow. You know, it's so funny, I never really think about being a part of history because, for me, playing football has always just been what I do, you know, I'm a football player.

KAGAN: How many girls can just say that, Katie? It's what I do, I'm a football player.

HNIDA: I know. I guess that is true.

KAGAN: We should say, I used to cover sports and this story has been growing as time goes on. There's been girls trying to play in high school, and I know you played in high school and women who have played on other college teams, but you're the first woman to get into a Division I football game, and that is the significance of your accomplishment this week.

KAGAN: Uh-huh. I'm sorry.

I don't want to interrupt you there.

HNIDA: No problem.

KAGAN: When did the coach tell you were going to go into the game?

HNIDA: Well, he let me know probably about 10 minutes into warm- ups that I was going to get to go in and kick off for an extra point.

KAGAN: Butterflies in the stomach, or? HNIDA: Yes, I was pretty calm, surprisingly. I've been waiting so long for this to happen, I thought I was going to be a lot more nervous, but I don't think it really sunk in.

KAGAN: I think the extra point came because of a defensive return touchdown.

HNIDA: Yes, that's correct.

KAGAN: So the coach tells you that you're going in. So just talk us through as if we are with you on the field there, from the sidelines on to the field.

HNIDA: Well, the guy ran it back, Desmar Black (ph), and I just kind of trotted on out there and did what I always do, took my steps back, ran up. I really sort of zoned out and tried to block out the rest of the stadium, so I could just concentrate on my kick and the snap came down, hold, then I went to kick it and watched it go up, and then watched this big defensive lineman's hand go up also. So I keep on replaying that over and over again in my mind.

KAGAN: A disappointing moment, it did not turn out like you wanted to. The kick was blocked. You didn't get the extra point. What was the reaction from your teammates?

HNIDA: My teammates were so fabulous. I think almost every single one of them came over, you know, and patted me on the head or gave me a hug and said, "Don't worry about it. You'll get it next time." They are really one of the main reasons this has worked out for me at this level, because I have such a fantastic group of guys and my coaches are really just phenomenal.

KAGAN: Katie, there are critics who say women have no place in football, let alone, Division I, and the fact you missed the kick is proof of that. What would you say to those critics?

HNIDA: I would tell them to keep watching, and I will be very, very happy to prove them wrong.

KAGAN: And we will be watching and wish you well with that. Katie Hnida, thank you and good luck with your future kicks.

HNIDA: Thank you very much.

KAGAN: There you go.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com