Isaiah Pua gets it done in the classroom and on the field. The 11-year-old Yelm Middle School sixth grader maintains a 4.0 GPA and is a force to be reckoned with on the football field.
His efforts this season with the TCYFL Tornados and Gridiron football teams earned him an invitation to represent team Washington in the D1 National All American Bowl this January in Arizona.
The young athlete admires and tries to model his game after YHS alumni and current Oregon Duck Brayden Platt, his father, Isaac, said. Isaiah finished his eight-game season in TCYFL with 22 total touchdowns, over 150 rushing yards per game and five interceptions. Whether it was at running back, quarterback or linebacker, Pua excelled in the Thurston County league.
Isaac Pua views the upcoming opportunity for his son as a big chance to develop himself as a football player this offseason. Isaac served as one of Isaiah’s coaches during the TCYFL season, and he said his son is an inspiring athlete. The team went 6-2 throughout the season, including a trip to the sixth grade level TCYFL championship.
To help Isaiah realize his dream of representing team Washington, the Pua family is seeking donations to make the trip. Isaac said that the family is hoping to raise $1,000 through donations for him and his son to make the trip. He added that the trip will last from Jan. 16 through Jan. 20, and he’s hopeful to purchase airfare tickets and lodging in the coming weeks to ensure they’re not having to pay top dollar for expenses.
Those interested in supporting Isaiah and the Pua family on their upcoming journey to Bullhead City, Arizona, can donate on Cash App at $ipua, on Venmo @IsaacPua and on Zelle at (360) 890-5866. Isaac said any donation would make a big difference, and that the funds would be used for lodging, travel and food expenses throughout Isaiah’s upcoming journey.
Isaac said that he’s had to miss work throughout the last several weeks due to his father being in the hospital, adding “every little bit helps.”
Isaac Pua said the trip represents his son’s accomplishments on the gridiron.
“My son was invited to join team Washington of D1 Nation All American Bowl. The head coach for that team is also the head coach for Gridiron’s 11-U team, and he’s always had his eye on Isaiah. As soon as he got the invitation, we knew Isaiah had to jump on top of that as part of his offseason work,” Isaac Pua said. “Isaiah is my captain, my leader. He is very soft-spoken, but he speaks with his words and he speaks with his pads. People follow him. He sets an example for everybody by his work ethic, and he plays at a level that his teammates want to achieve.”
He added that Isaiah trained and competed with the Island’s Best program last offseason, which he said was a great experience. He and Isaiah are both excited for the young athlete to compete underneath his offseason Gridiron coach.
“I’m just so proud of how he carries himself and how humble he is. I’m not just saying this because he’s my son, but he’s what I’d like in a football player, and I’m just lucky that he’s my son,” Isaac said.
Isaiah said he loves the sport of football and someday has dreams of playing collegiately in the NCAA and professionally in the NFL. He said he’d play for any college team that wants him in their program.
“I hope to make it to the NFL one day. I’ll play any position they would want me to play at. My favorite team is the San Francisco 49ers, but I’d play for any team,” Isaiah said. “Football is very fun. It’s a great way to meet new people, and it’s a great thing to do in life. It’s taught me that no matter what knocks you down, you have to get back up. It’s really helpful and that mindset has helped me a lot.”
He added that he’s looking forward to the opportunity at-hand for several reasons, including his offseason development. Isaiah said he’s also excited to bond with his Gridiron teammates during the trip to Arizona next month.
“When I found out that I was selected, I was really excited to play with all of my teammates from Gridiron,” Isaiah said. “It makes me a better player when I play with my teammates from there. We push each other to be better every practice.”
His mother, Rosemary Pua, admires her son’s hard work, both in the classroom, where Isaiah maintains straight A’s, and on the football field.
“As a reminder, he’s only 11 years old. He’s only in the sixth grade attending Yelm Middle School. If we talk in comparison about his academics and his athletic abilities, there’s no comparison at all. What he does on the field is the same efforts he put into school and his grades,” Rosemary said. “As a parent, all that we care about is our children’s development as well as injury-free games. What I do admire, and I see it at every single practice and every single game, is how hard Isaiah really puts himself out there.”
