Days after video of 3-year-old soccer player went viral when police were called his Winter Park game, the boy’s mother is now speaking publicly about what she says her family experienced and how the sudden attention is affecting her son.
Nevada was playing in the i9 Sports league at MLK Jr. Park on Saturday when a staff member called police, saying the family was causing a disturbance.
In body camera video from the response, a person at the scene can be heard describing what they say led to the call.
“Creating a big scene, arguing with the other parents,” the official stated. “I just want them out.”
Nevada’s mother, Martasia Griffin, disputes that characterization.
She says she and Nevada’s father were positioned away from other families. Griffin added that she only walked toward the official to inquire why her son cannot play more after hearing reports that he was “pushing.”
“I always stay so far away,” she said. “Me and his dad is on one end and all the other parents are on one side so we never interfere with other parents.”
While the family has been dealing with fallout from Saturday’s incident, Nevada’s soccer clips have also surged across social media, bringing a level of attention Griffin says her family was not prepared for.
She says Nevada is too young to understand why so many people are suddenly watching him.
But Griffin says she believes he understands something went wrong after police showed up, and she says it has changed how he feels about playing the sport he loves.
“It traumatized him, like he’s scared,” she said. “Like he’s scared to play soccer hard that we’re going to get kicked off of the next place.”
In the days since, a GoFundMe connected to the family has gained widespread support. Griffin says the fundraiser has raised more than $40,000.
Griffin also addressed criticism online from people questioning whether the family is trying to benefit financially from the viral moment.
“I’m not because eventually we’re going to get him overseas to play with people that appreciate his talent and take it as far as we go,” she said.
Griffin says the attention has also brought offers of help. She says former World Cup player Eddie Johnson, who is based in Orlando, reached out and offered to help train Nevada.
“Never dim your light,” she said. “Never tell your kid to dim their light for someone else’s satisfaction.”
For now, Griffin says her focus is on making sure Nevada can keep playing, and feeling comfortable doing it, as the family figures out what comes next.