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<\/p>\nIt\u2019s here.\u00a0Football\u00a0season in Colorado.<\/p>\n
The Denver Broncos are about to kick off their 54th season in the National\u00a0Football\u00a0League. Local colleges are already back on the gridiron. Centennial and Central high schools in Pueblo are gearing up for \u201cThe Bell Game\u201d —\u00a0the oldest high school\u00a0football\u00a0rivalry west of the Mississippi River,\u00a0dating back to 1892.<\/p>\n
Another big story to watch is in Littleton. That\u2019s where the Chatfield Chargers will\u00a0defend their title\u00a0as Colorado\u2019s first-ever girls’ flag\u00a0football\u00a0state champions.<\/p>\n
This is exciting because the young women of Chatfield Senior High School\u00a0symbolize the explosive growth\u00a0of flag\u00a0football, especially among girls. Their team is part of a much larger movement with more than 20 million participants in 100-plus countries. In the U.S., around 474,000 girls under the age of 17 played flag last year — 63% more than 2019.<\/p>\n
Colorado had 22 schools competing in girls\u2019 flag in 2022,\u00a0the inaugural year\u00a0of a three-year pilot program. Today nearly 60 schools are in the hunt for Chatfield\u2019s trophy. The momentum shows beyond a doubt that girls\u2019 flag\u00a0football\u00a0can thrive in high schools statewide.<\/p>\n
Sanctioning flag as a varsity sport is the next step. The Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) could make it official within the next year —\u00a0joining nine other states, including Arizona, California, Alabama and New York.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s notable for several reasons.<\/p>\n
First, and most important, is the simple truth that flag opens the doors for girls and women to participate in\u00a0football. Through the sport, they can learn valuable life lessons, pursue athletic scholarships or aspire to the most elite levels.<\/p>\n
We tell our kids to dream big. Being recruited by a college team or\u00a0representing your country on the world stage\u00a0—\u00a0these stakes are\u00a0on the table\u00a0right now. Colorado\u2019s girls deserve a chance to reach for them.<\/p>\n
Then there\u2019s the larger societal benefit of getting more kids involved in athletics, regardless of the game they\u2019re playing.<\/p>\n
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CHSAA commissioner Mike Krueger was right when he\u00a0said recently, \u201cWhat\u2019s our obligation? \u2026 Are we helping kids fall in love with sport, and falling in love with participating in sport?\u201d<\/p>\n
Young women have made it known that they want to play flag\u00a0football\u00a0—\u00a0just look at the jump in participation in the second year of Colorado\u2019s pilot program. Around 150 girls who signed up in 2022\u00a0had never played a high school sport. So, let\u2019s listen. Let\u2019s act. Let\u2019s view it as our obligation and do the work to ensure flag is here to stay.<\/p>\n
The sport\u2019s continued availability in Colorado hinges on more than participation. Budgets, field space, scheduling and the availability of referees and coaches will be factors, too. Here\u2019s the good news: the sport is positioned for success on all fronts.<\/p>\n
Equipment is minimal, making flag one of the most cost-effective programs to launch. The Broncos, the NFL and partners such as Nike have chipped in to make it even more affordable for local schools.<\/p>\n
The sport can be played on practically any field or gym, and really any open area at all; programs won\u2019t need to find specialized space for competition.<\/p>\n
CHSAA\u2019s\u00a0jamboree-style game days\u00a0—\u00a0where a site hosts at least three matchups on Saturdays \u2014 has made it easier to schedule resources like referees and assist with transportation.<\/p>\n
And the pool of officials and coaches only stands to grow as more people get involved. Chatfield running back Caitlin Dennis is already in the pipeline, giving back to her community\u00a0as a youth flag referee. In July, a 61-year-old woman who\u2019s applied to be a flag\u00a0football\u00a0coach\u00a0wrote to me on social media, saying, \u201cIt\u2019s a bucket list thing, to finally be a part of the game I have loved all my life.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s my hope that flag will be sanctioned for girls across Colorado. But it\u2019s not a given. The path includes committee approvals before it heads to a deciding vote by the CHSAA.<\/p>\n
The decision is crystal clear for me —\u00a0a former professional\u00a0football\u00a0player, current NFL executive, husband, father and granddad. It\u2019s 2023.\u00a0Football\u00a0should be for all. My kids and yours, regardless of gender.<\/p>\n
Colorado, which is so tied to\u00a0football\u2019s history, has a chance to cement its place in the sport\u2019s future by sanctioning flag.<\/p>\n
Statewide adoption is the right play —\u00a0and the time to call it is coming soon.<\/p>\n