Sports have always been a part of Adrianna Taynor’s life. Ever since she could walk, she was moving, playing, and competing. Football was one of the first games she picked up, long before field hockey, softball, or gymnastics even entered the picture.
By middle school, she had to make choices. She focused on field hockey and softball, playing travel softball because she knew that was something she wanted to pursue. High school only strengthened her love for field hockey. She and her teammates won the HWS Field Hockey Championship in New Jersey, a moment that still sticks with her as one of the proudest in her athletic career.
When Mercy University launched a women’s flag football program, Adrianna was ready to try something completely different. “Flag football during fall was the first time I practiced throwing a ball,” she said.
She was a bit apprehensive, plain and simple. “I was nervous,” she admitted. But that didn’t stop her. “Coach Mike Perrota saw how I threw, and that’s how I became a QB.”
Transitioning from field hockey to flag football was no walk in the park. The sports share some fundamentals, speed, agility, and teamwork, but flag football added a whole new layer of intensity.
“After my second practice, being that a lot of my teammates and I played field hockey, it was easier to adjust,” Adrianna said. “But flag football is much more aggressive. You have to memorize a lot more things, so that transition was a bit hard.”
Even as a newcomer, Adrianna found moments of confidence that made all the nervousness worth it. “I realized that I almost could have played QB in a recent game,” she said, unfortunately recovering from a nagging injury.
Her versatility has always been a strength. “I’m a versatile player,” a statement that speaks to her approach to athletics. Field hockey, softball, football, she adapts, learns, and thrives.
For Adrianna, flag football is more than a sport. It’s a mental challenge, a chance to grow, and an opportunity to build connections.
“Sports keep you mentally busy and give you built-in best friends in college because of the team,” she said. Learning a new game alongside familiar faces from her field hockey team made the process not only easier but more meaningful.
Adrianna’s journey from toddler football to travel softball, field hockey championships, and practicing quarterbacking a college flag football team is a testament to her love for athletics and her willingness to trust in her abilities and try new adventures. Every practice, every play, and every new strategy pushes her to learn something new, something that makes her a stronger athlete.
Even the first few practices showed Taynor flag football was different . She had the skills but needed to learn the mechanics of a completely new sport.
More than anything, flag football has given Adrianna a fresh perspective on sports. It’s not just about winning. It’s about growth, teamwork, and learning what you’re capable of. Every throw during practice and every play has been part of a process she’s learning to enjoy, and it’s influencing her in ways beyond the stats or the scoreboard.
