Anna 
The words “Pay it forward” are etched on Vanita Krouch’s forearm in an elegant italic font. For the United States women’s flag football quarterback, these words serve as her life motto.
In a video call interview with Olympics.com, Krouch proudly shows off the tattoo. “This is my life motto,” she explains, before pointing to a poster above her locker that reads, “Pay it ‘4ward”—a message that mirrors the number four, which is also the number she wears.
The significance of the phrase and number is deeply tied to Krouch’s upbringing, which began far from where she is today.
Before becoming the most decorated flag football athlete in history, before appearing in Super Bowl commercials, and even before a pivotal Google search changed her life, Krouch’s story started in the Philippines. It was there, as her family awaited a new life in the United States, that her journey began.
Krouch’s parents, originally from Cambodia, were displaced by the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s. Under Pol Pot’s brutal policies, they were forced from Phnom Penh to work on rural farms. Many of Krouch’s extended family perished from disease, starvation, or violence.
“I think some of the family got split in different ways, but the majority was together,” Krouch explains. “My mom says I would have four or five more aunts and uncles, but they were all killed or died from disease, starvation, or just murdered.”
In a twist of fate, a soldier with an affection for Krouch’s mother warned the family of impending danger, urging them to flee. Under the cover of night, the family escaped Cambodia and sought refuge in a Thai camp, where they were later offered the chance to settle in the U.S. via the Philippines.
Once in Dallas, Texas, Krouch’s family faced new challenges. Her mother, now single and with little command of English, had to rebuild from scratch with nothing more than determination.
“Our first apartment was a one-bedroom apartment, we were living on $3.52 minimum wage. I remember seeing the workforce poster in her workroom,” Krouch recalls. “Our bedroom had a king-size bed for the three boys and a full-size bed that mom and I shared.”
Despite the struggles, Krouch’s mother remained strong, supporting her children through tough times. Her resilience became the backbone of Krouch’s determination.
Krouch’s passion for sports, inspired by her brothers, was never discouraged by her mother. “She didn’t care that I was playing sports,” Krouch recalls. “She was just glad I wasn’t in trouble, doing drugs, or getting pregnant. I was a straight-A student with a job. What’s wrong with that?”
Her mother’s encouragement allowed Krouch to break barriers as an Asian American woman in sports, despite societal expectations.
The Krouch family was eventually able to move into a larger apartment, and the community’s support continued to play a key role in their lives. Teachers, too, played a pivotal role in shaping Krouch’s path, reinforcing the meaning behind her “pay it forward” philosophy.
One teacher, Miss Tony Nebis, helped Krouch join soccer in third grade after she saw a flyer. “She signs me up. She pays for it. And the coach says, ‘What number do you want to give Vanita?’ She said, ‘Give her number four,’” Krouch recalls. “It turns out that was the number she wore growing up.”
Another teacher, Miss Judy Ward, also impacted Krouch when she took the time to watch Krouch and her classmates play basketball on a Saturday outside of school. “She took the time out of her life to see us play. That stuck with me forever,” Krouch says.
These teachers, along with her family, instilled in Krouch a deep sense of gratitude and a commitment to “paying it forward.” “It goes full circle,” Krouch says. “Four ward became forward.”
Now, as the most decorated flag football player in history, Krouch lives her life in honor of the village that raised her.
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