Women’s tackle football gives female athletes opportunities in a game dominated by men
On a recent summer evening in Allen Park, Mich., women suited up, hit the line and exchanged trash talk just like their male counterparts, showcasing decades-long passion for tackle football. Leagues such as the American Women’s Football League, Women’s National Football Conference and Women’s Football Alliance now offer formal competition—some even airing title games on ESPN2. Players cover their own costs for gear and insurance, driven by love of the game and a shared mission to inspire the next generation. High-profile sponsors like Adidas, Dove and Riddell are beginning to ease the financial burden, while champions receive modest payouts and recognition. Former players turned coaches, including Super Bowl assistant Katie Sowers and NFL coach Jennifer King, highlight the pathways opening for women in and beyond the huddle.
Lori Locust, recently promoted by the Tennessee Titans, is back in Pa. to grow girls’ flag football
Tennessee Titans defensive assistant Lori Locust returns to Pennsylvania this week to coach at a four-day girls’ flag football camp hosted by former Eagle Ron Johnson at Millersville University. A Temple alumna and former semipro tackle player, Locust credits her corporate background and NFL learning curve for navigating the highs and lows of a coaching career now in its seventh season. Promoted in February, she’s taken on expanded game-day duties and deeper involvement in coverage schemes under Brian Callahan’s staff. Offseason, she’s seen firsthand how NFL clubs like the Buccaneers engage in girls’ flag clinics, a model she’s eager to replicate as a Titan ambassador. Locust believes growing female representation on the field and sidelines creates vital pathways—whether playing, coaching or working in football—for the sport’s future.
NFL tries to build flag football pipeline, with girls leagues spreading rapidly
The NFL is spearheading a nationwide effort to establish flag football as a youth-to-Olympics pipeline, emphasizing gender equity and long-term growth. With Olympic inclusion secured for LA28, the league supports 15 states that have fully sanctioned varsity girls’ flag, plus 19 in pilot programs, as participation doubles each year in many regions. Teams leverage local leagues, camps and sponsorships—like the Jets’ new traveling girls’ squad and documentary EmpowHer—to boost visibility and community engagement. Key partners, from RCX Sports for officiating to Nike for uniforms, streamline state-level sanctioning debates around cost, scheduling and Title IX compliance. Under VP Stephanie Kwok, NFL Flag is expanding youth championships on ESPN and NFL Network, while exploring collegiate partnerships and a pro flag league to complete the competitive ladder.
