Taylor Wells: A Hometown Hero Pushing Women’s Football Forward
Published 10:42 am Friday, March 21, 2025
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Taylor Wells, a native of Bainbridge, Georgia, is a trailblazer in the rapidly growing Women’s National Football Conference (WNFC). A former U.S. Air Force veteran, Wells’ journey from military service to professional football is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and ambition.
As the first female professional football player to hail from Bainbridge, Wells represents her hometown with pride. Reflecting on her journey, she acknowledges the experimental nature of the WNFC but emphasizes its transformative potential. “I didn’t think twice about the opportunity, even as the only woman from Bainbridge to reach this level,” she said.
She views the league’s growth as a platform for Bainbridge, especially its women. She hopes to inspire others to dream beyond traditional careers and prove that professional football is a viable path. Her journey began hesitantly, with doubts about her capabilities. Yet, her resolve to tryout and make the team silenced those uncertainties. “Once I decided to go for it, the only thing that could stop me was not making the team.”
“I think it’s going to put more spotlight on women specifically,” Wells said. “A chance to see they can achieve something outside of your day-to-day career path. I don’t think any girls would have thought I could play football professionally.”
Her Air Force background played a crucial role in shaping her mindset. The daily discipline, fitness, and camaraderie of military life seamlessly transitioned into the world of football. On her team, Wells shares the field with other veterans and active military members, creating a unique bond of shared experiences.
“I wanted to maintain that fitness, and it kept me in that mindset,” Wells said. “I didn’t realize as an adult there were extracurriculars that I could get into but football was my calling.”
Growing up in Bainbridge, she played sports alongside boys in her community, which fostered her competitive spirit and confidence. Now, she carries the motivation to inspire others, fueled by her mother’s reminder of the legacy she’s building. For Wells, being a professional football player is not just a personal achievement—it’s a symbol of what her community can achieve together.
“My mom brought up the fact that I was the only female professional athlete to come out of Bainbridge,” Wells said. “It became more of a motivation to do better and be better, as a kid I played with the boys, in the community of Bainbridge everybody is comfortable being able to play who you grew up with around the corner. I didn’t realize I had the community to even look forward to having my back, but it honestly feels great, it doesn’t feel real at moments.”
On the field, Wells primarily shines as a safety wearing the no. 21, occasionally stepping into the role of cornerback. Her story is one of grit, growth, and community pride—a true symbol of Bainbridge’s potential.
Sponsors from Bainbridge have stepped forward to support Wells, and she feels incredibly fortunate to have Craig Close of Close Mortuary backing her. “I’d like to give them a special shout-out,” she said. “Along with Riverbend Ford—specifically Shawn Dean—and River Bend Ford Chrysler Dodge Jeep and Ram.”
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