Historic Women's Flag Football Game Hosted by Chicago Bears

Featured Focus: Athlete-Driven Impact, Access / Inclusion / Equality, Youth Development

Scope of Impact: State

The Chicago Bears are breaking barriers, hosting the first-ever collegiate women's flag football game in Illinois. This iconic moment plays out on March 8, 2025, at the Walter Payton Center, with Rockford University and Benedictine University going head-to-head.

With its longstanding commitment to inclusivity and women's sports, the Bears organization is accelerating girls and women's flag football statewide. Their initiatives range from propelling a 21-team high school league in 2021 to helping Illinois become the ninth state to sanction the sport in 2024.

This groundbreaking event is a stride towards fostering inclusivity, empowering athletes, and structuring women's sports in Illinois. Three athletes playing in the historic game even trace their flag football roots to the earliest teams the Bears had a hand in launching. This game shows the power of providing young women with the chance to play and is a testament to the Bears' resolve to expand opportunities and build a sustainable pipeline for these athletes.

See the original story here.

❝

The momentum enjoyed by women’s sports over the last year has been staggering. Has football been left out of this surge, or are initiatives like the Bears’ simply getting less recognition?

Either way, it's refreshing to see an NFL club step up to foster inclusivity and empowerment for women athletes. We love it because it’s a win for girls in Illinois, and it’s a win on all fronts for the Bears. It engages a new audience segment for the team, it’s a gold mine for marketing and PR opportunities, and it positions them as pioneers amongst their NFL peers.