Bears celebrate flag football becoming an Olympic sport

The International Olympic Committee announced on Monday the addition of men’s and women’s flag football to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Growing flag football worldwide continues to be a key initiative for the NFL, with the Bears being one of the teams at the forefront of the movement.

“Flag football becoming an Olympic sport is historic and monumental,” Bears manager of youth and high school football Gustavo Silva said. “It is a great day for all of us who love the game of football and it means that our game will be featured on the biggest stage in sports, the Olympics. It means that so many young men and women will have the opportunity to represent their country playing the game they love.”

When it comes to growing girls flag football both in the United States and internationally, the Bears have been trailblazers. The club’s involvement officially began in 2021 when it helped the Chicago Public League launch the first high school girls flag programs in Illinois.

Originally starting with 22 teams in its inaugural season, the league has now expanded to 109 teams, including schools from the West Suburban Conference and the Rockford area for the 2023 season.

“It’s been a great three years,” CPL senior manager of elementary sport Juliana Zavala said. “We’ve had great support from USA Football and NFL Flag to do this initiative, but there’s been nothing like the Chicago Bears and working with all the staff there and Gus doing an amazing job. We’ve been growing tremendously here in Illinois.

“It’s really exciting to see that and the impact that the girls are having. They’re pioneers of this new sport and seeing that it’s going to be a 2028 Olympic sport in L.A., it’s exciting that one or more of our girls in Illinois could be a part of that team. Without the Chicago Bears, this wouldn’t have been possible.”

Since starting the league two years ago, the Bears have remained involved by providing continuous opportunities for girls flag football players. The Bears host an annual jamboree each August to kick off the flag football season. At these events, the Bears have brought in pioneers of the sport like Dr. Jen Welter, the first female NFL coach, and Diana Flores, star quarterback of the world champion Mexico Women’s National Flag Football Team.