Winter Park, Florida — A three-year-old soccer standout named Nevada Pierre was left in tears after police were called to his youth match, with his mother revealing the little boy believed he had done something wrong by scoring too many goals.
Nevada, who has built a large online following through videos of his impressive dribbling and finishing, was playing in an i9 Sports league game at Martin Luther King Jr. Park on Saturday, October 24, 2026. He is the youngest on his team and regularly competes against children aged four and five. His family has said he scored more than 40 goals across five games this season.
According to his mother, Martasia Griffin, other parents and league officials grew frustrated as Nevada dominated possession and the scoreline. She told media that coaches, directors and parents formed a huddle on the sideline, with some complaining that other children could not get the ball. Griffin said she was offered a refund but refused to sit her son out, telling interviewers she could not explain to a three-year-old that he could not play because he was “so good.”
Police body-camera footage later released shows a league official, identified as Thomas Hayes, acknowledging Nevada’s exceptional skill while claiming the boy had been pushing other players. “The kid is good. He’s great. Really good. He’s very advanced compared to the other ones, so he’s scoring a lot of goals. But he’s pushing the kids,” Hayes told officers. He also referenced prior friction with the parents.
Griffin and Nevada’s father, Don Pierre, maintained the call to police stemmed from their son’s talent. In videos shared by the family, the father can be heard saying officers were called “on a 3-year-old because he’s too good” and because “he had the ball for too long.” Griffin has disputed the pushing claims and posted full-game footage asking viewers to identify any such incidents.
The emotional impact on the child has been the most striking element for many. In interviews, including one with Lauren LaRosa of The Breakfast Club, Griffin described how Nevada reacted afterward. “My son was crying. He was like traumatized,” she said. “He thought that he did something bad, and he thought that me and his dad was in trouble.” She indicated the toddler appeared to conclude he should have scored fewer goals so he would be allowed to keep playing.
Winter Park police said the matter was civil, that the family was cooperative, and that no one was arrested, trespassed or forced from the park. The league offered a refund and has said it is reviewing the incident. A GoFundMe campaign set up to support Nevada’s continued involvement in soccer has raised more than $20,000.
The story has drawn widespread attention and support online, including from former professional players and public figures who have criticised the handling of a gifted young child in a recreational setting. Nevada continues to train and still wants to play soccer, his mother said, though he does not want to return to that particular league.
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