Flag Football Revolutionizing Women's Sports
American enthusiasm for women's flag football soars across the United States.
The rcokin' game of flag football is taking the United States by storm, especially among young girls. This non-contact version of football, with its inclusion in the 2028 Olympics on the horizon, is igniting a passion that's reminiscent of the pickleball craze among older crowds.
Michael Colt, a 44-year-old coach of the Staten Island Giants, the under-18 US champions of last year, compares the explosion of flag football to the rise of pickleball, stating, "It's the youth version of pickleball, the fastest growing adult sport."
Colt, who co-founded the Giants in 2019, has seen his youth teams earn a slew of national titles and send several players to the national team. However, their early journey wasn't easy. "It was a struggle," he admits, "We fought for everything." Despite facing initial resistance, the sport, much like the Giants, has come a long way.
Flag football, a variant developed as an alternative to collision-prone tackle football, was a relative unknown six years ago. But with over 270,000 girls aged 6 to 17 participating last year, according to USA Football, the sport is making its mark. The Giants, with the financial backing of the NFL's New York Giants, are leading the charge.
Even as the NFL lends its significant weight to the game, the extent of flag football's potential may still surprise the uninitiated, especially the opportunities it offers to gridiron-loving girls. A 14-year-old player, Brielle Caetano, who has been playing since kindergarten, often leaves people "very in shock." Upon sharing about the possibility of earning a scholarship, she notices an even greater reaction—shock.
"Football has always been considered a boy's sport," remarks 16-year-old Annie Falcone about the high-contact, headline-grabbing game, whose pinnacle is the NFL. However, flag football's rapid growth among women of all ages is challenging this stereotype.
In flag football, an offensive player is "tackled" by pulling one of two "flags" worn on a belt around the hips. No blocking is allowed, further reducing the risk of injury in a game that emphasizes running and throwing skills. This safer, more accessible version of football is drawing a diverse crowd and ushering in a new era for women in sports.
USA Football chief executive officer Scott Hallenbeck is amazed by the speed at which flag football is growing, especially considering his "about 30-plus years of being involved in sports." He attributes a lot of this growth to the NFL, which is spearheading the development of the game. This commitment can be seen in the upcoming national flag tournament for boys and girls in July, organized by the NFL and featuring sponsors and a TV broadcasting contract.
While the NFL enjoys mainstream success in the U.S., it has struggled to expand the game outside the country's borders. However, flag football could potentially be the game-changer that basketball has been for the NBA, with a strong global appeal. USA Football's Scott Hallenbeck believes that flag football could "help grow fandom and opportunities around the world."
Gaining inclusion at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is a significant part of this global growth strategy, and it's already spurring interest. Players like Falcone are motivated by this development, seeing it as an opportunity to shine on an international stage. The NFL is even looking beyond the Olympics, with commissioner Roger Goodell confirming an exploration of "an opportunity to create a professional flag league for both men and women."
Colt, the Staten Island Giants coach, shares Goodell's optimism, predicting that a professional league might become a reality by 2032. As the game continues to capture hearts and minds, it's clear that the future of flag football is bright—and it's the girls leading the charge.
The growth of flag football's popularity among young girls, led by teams like the Staten Island Giants, is redefining the landscape of women's sports in the United States. As Caetano, a 14-year-old flag football player, demonstrates, this non-contact version of football offers numerous opportunities for gridiron-loving girls, with the potential for scholarships and even a professional league. With the support of organizations like the NFL, flag football could become the game-changer that expands the sport's global reach and fosters fandom around the world, ultimately leading to its inclusion in the 2028 Olympics.
