Florida Mom Launches Fundraiser for 3-Year-Old Son Removed From Soccer Game

The mother of a three-year-old soccer player named Nevada has launched a fundraiser to support his "soccer journey" after he was removed from a local league game in Winter Park, Florida. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, gained attention after a video was posted online.

Nevada's father, who has a significant following on TikTok, alleged that other parents complained because his son was not passing to teammates. However, Jul Henry, the director of the youth league, stated in police bodycam footage obtained by The Daily Mail that Nevada had been "aggressive" on the field and had pushed other players.

The fundraiser, organized by Nevada's mother, Martasia Griffin, aims to cover his "training, equipment and other opportunities." As of now, the GoFundMe has raised over $23,000. The description on the fundraising page reads: "I’m Martasia Griffin, and I’m raising funds for my son, Nevada Pierre, a bright and passionate 3-year-old who has loved soccer since he was just 1 year old."

Griffin disputed the league's account of the incident, stating that Nevada was removed from the game due to concerns about his skill level, which escalated to law enforcement being called. She described the experience as "heartbreaking and distressing" for her son and family. The fundraiser is intended to "protect Nevada’s passion for soccer and making sure this moment does not define his journey."

Viral footage from the game appeared to show Nevada skillfully dribbling and scoring. The father of the child was heard saying in the video, "They called the police on a three-year-old because he is too good." He also stated that police were called because Nevada "has the ball for too long. And nobody else can get the ball."

Conversely, league director Jul Henry informed responding officers that Nevada's parents were being "disruptive." He acknowledged Nevada's talent but reiterated claims of the toddler being "aggressive." Henry offered the family a refund for league fees and asked them to leave the park.

Nevada's parents contested this, expressing confusion about why they were being asked to leave and questioning the real issue behind their son's removal. The mother stated to officers that the league seemed "mad at my son because he actually plays soccer."

Dispatch audio revealed that Henry had requested police intervention due to the mother's alleged behavior, describing her as "unruly," calling him names, and filming him for social media. He urged officers to arrive quickly, stating, "I want her off the property, please, immediately."

According to a news release from the Winter Park Police Department, officers were requested by the director to communicate with the family to avoid further disturbance.