LYNDHURST, Ohio — Flag football has become one of the fastest-growing sports across the nation, and women's leagues are leading the charge.
Set to make its Olympic debut in 2028, the sport is rapidly gaining momentum, and here in Northeast Ohio, it's experiencing serious growth at the high school level thanks to support from the Cleveland Browns.
Despite the chilly fall weather, there's no shortage of excitement during practice at Brush High School's Korb Field. The players are focused, and the atmosphere is electric.
The Arcs are building something special, both on and off the field.
"It feels good. It builds sisterhood," senior and star player Keyarra Shields said, reflecting on the bond she's formed with her teammates. "You make friends and family for the long run."
Teammate Samiya Lyles says being a part of this team has opened doors for her to have unique opportunities.
"Probably just experiencing a lot of different things and touring," she explained. "We went to Browns Stadium, saw a couple of the players, and got to visit the practice facility."
That's because the Browns have been a key teammate as well, helping cover all the costs associated with officiating games and providing gear for each team. This support has been instrumental in growing the sport at the high school level, with the number of teams expanding from just two in 2021 to more than 51 in Northeast Ohio this year alone.
Hannah Lee, youth football manager for the Browns, explained that their ultimate goal is to make girls flag football a sanctioned varsity sport through the Ohio High School Athletic Association.
"The goal for us at the end of the day is to get it as a sanctioned varsity sport," Lee declared.
For now, they aim to make it feel as close to a varsity sport as possible, with a 12-game regular season followed by playoffs and a state championship tournament.
Since the Browns began their involvement, they've helped introduce flag football to hundreds of girls who had never played organized sports before.
"Fifty percent of girls that play flag football have never played a sport previously," Lee told us. "Now they have this new sport where they can represent their school and wear their school colors with pride."
The Arcs were undefeated last season, thanks in part to the leadership of coaches Jerome Jackson and Jennifer Chatman. Both are proud of the team's progress and growth, not just as athletes, but as individuals.
Jackson, who also serves as an assistant athletic director at the middle school level, pointed out the confidence boost many of these girls experience.
"We just open the opportunity to anyone who's interested and build their confidence up," he said.
Chatman also noted the improvement in teamwork and communication among the players.
"They're a lot more open-minded, seeing that everyone could put their differences to the side and come together as a family," she stated.
As the spring season approaches, the Arcs are already thinking about the next step: possibly taking their talents to the collegiate level. Shields is confident about her future.
"Of course I've got to be on there," she said when asked if we'll see her playing college football one day.
It's clear these players are just getting started, and their success will undoubtedly inspire many more young athletes in Northeast Ohio to pursue flag football. With strong community support, this rapidly growing sport is set to empower even more girls in the future.
For Lee, the sense of support they experience as a team — both on and off the field — is invaluable.
"I know what it means to be on a team, to have that support, to have teammates that you look at as sisters," she said.
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