By By: Staff Writer
WINTER PARK, Florida – A viral claim that a 3-year-old soccer prodigy was kicked out of a youth game for being too talented has raised more than $35,000 on GoFundMe, even as police bodycam footage and the 911 call indicate officers were called to address the behavior of a parent, not the skill of the child.
The story centers on Nevada Pierre, 3, whose parents posted video from an i9 Sports recreational league game in Winter Park, Florida. In social media captions, they claimed police were summoned because their son was dominating older children and holding the ball too long, framing the toddler as being escorted out for his talent.
The video spread quickly, drawing national attention and sympathy.
However, records from the Winter Park Police Department tell a different story.
According to the 911 call and bodycam footage, it was a league director who contacted police to report an unruly parent. The director told dispatchers that a parent was following him, calling him names, arguing with staff and other parents, and livestreaming the confrontation.
The director also stated that the 3-year-old was advanced for the division, scoring repeatedly against 5-year-olds and pushing other children. The league, described as a beginner recreational program, attempted to substitute the child for fairness and safety reasons. That decision led to a dispute with the parents, who refused to accept the substitution, police records show.
When officers arrived, the incident was described as a civil dispute that was already winding down. The family was leaving on their own accord, cooperated with officers, and was issued a refund. No arrests were made and no one was forcibly removed. In a statement, Winter Park police explicitly said the call was never about the child’s ability on the field.
Despite the police clarification, the family continued to promote the original narrative.
Mother Martasia Griffin launched a GoFundMe page describing Nevada as a bright prodigy who was removed from a game because of concerns about his skill level, with law enforcement involvement in a moment that traumatized him. The fundraiser quickly surpassed its initial goal, raising over $35,000 and later climbing past $46,000, fueled by donors responding to the viral claims of injustice.
Nevada has demonstrated clear athletic ability for his age and has built a notable social media following.
The incident has reignited discussion around youth sports policies, where playing-time rules and substitutions are commonly used in beginner leagues to ensure all children can learn and participate safely, and to prevent one dominant player from monopolizing play.
Police say their role was limited to responding to a parent-conduct complaint, not officiating youth sports talent.
