Jets honor Mepham receiver Sofia LaSpina

Sofia LaSpina stood just outside a corner tunnel behind one of the end zones as the Jets and Titans clashed in the first quarter Sunday at MetLife Stadium. She had handled the glare of the spotlight since "Lasso Out" — the call that resulted in her becoming the first female high school player to score a touchdown in Long Island history, drawing local and national attention.

But now the Mepham High junior wide receiver from Bellmore was waiting to be called out into the end zone — in front of a crowd listed at 70,232 — and be honored by the team she has loved since she was little Sofia.

"I’m nervous," she said. "Very nervous. This is just crazy."

She pulled her No. 11 maroon Mepham jersey over a green Jets T-shirt. Then Tennessee kicked a field goal, so there was a TV timeout, and LaSpina was escorted out. The PA announcer mentioned her three-catch, 45-yard day against Roslyn on Sept. 18, including the historic 4-yard TD reception, as her highlights from that game rolled on the big video boards.

The fans clapped. She smiled and waved before heading back up to a suite with her mom, Jennifer, her three siblings, and Mepham coach Anthony Cracco. There also was Peter Mayo, the quarterback who threw her the touchdown pass, and his dad, courtesy of the Jets, who beat the Tennessee Titans, 27-24, in overtime.

"It was exciting," LaSpina said on the walk back. "I feel so happy that people are so supportive."

The Jets were responsible for her being here in more ways than one.

"I’ve always loved them since I was born," LaSpina said.

Watching them made her want to try her hand at football, which first happened when she was a seventh-grader at Grand Avenue Middle School.

This is her first varsity season. The 5-5 reserve wideout has made four catches for 50 yards.

"I support whatever drives her," her mother said. "Yes, I get nervous. But I feel with all of her training, she’s capable of doing anything the boys can do out there."

The Jets named her their area High School Player of the Week the day after the historic grab on her short out route and a rollout by Mayo, the lefthanded backup quarterback. Then came this invite.

"We’re really trying to grow the game here from our standpoint, whether that’s with the boy population or the young women who want to participate," said Eli Hodges, the Jets’ manager of community relations and youth football.

"That’s what we really wanted to show and highlight, her making history, and just showcase the great things she’s doing and the program at Mepham is doing."

LaSpina, who also plays softball, had two extra tickets. She gave one to Mayo, a friend from elementary school days, and one to his dad, Peter.

"I’m actually very thankful that she chose to bring me," the younger Mayo said. "It’s awesome seeing her on the field and inspiring all girls who want to play sports and helping them push to see whatever they can do."

Their coach was happy, too.

"It’s been great," Cracco said of the attention. "It’s great for Sofia. It’s great for the school and the program. It’s a great thing for any young athlete who wants to step outside the box and try to do something different."

Could she do it again and attempt to play college football?

"If I’m really liking it and I’m getting better at it," LaSpina said, "I might just try it in college."

She has done several interviews. A clip of her touchdown ran during NBC’s "Sunday Night Football." She even got to play catch with Joe Namath. But she said her celebrity time is "slowing down."

So how did she like the sudden fame?

"It was fun," LaSpina said. "It was very exhausting, but I got through it."