Opinion: Minnesota should recognize girls flag Football as a Varsity Sport

By Rep. María Isa Pérez-Vega

From playground memories to packed stadiums, girls flag football is creating opportunities for the next generation.

The final whistle has blown on another season of Minnesota girls flag football.

At TCO Stadium, girls from across our state ran routes, pulled flags, called plays, trusted teammates, recovered from mistakes and left everything they had on the field. Some walked away with medals. Some walked away with disappointment. All of them walked away having proven something important.

They proved that girls flag football in Minnesota is not an experiment. It is not a novelty. It is not a passing trend waiting to be measured from a distance.

It is here. It is growing. And it deserves to be recognized.

As a young girl growing up on the West Side of St. Paul, I was always playing flag football with the boys in elementary school, oftentimes being the only girl on the field. I was the only girl who played flag football during recess, and I was always the first or second pick for the team. I had hands and speed back then.

These are core memories that have stayed with me into womanhood. When I stepped on that field, I felt empowered, and it taught me teamwork, leadership, and perseverance.

This is what I want all young girls to feel and take from this sport.

Now that the season has ended, the question moves from the field to the Minnesota State High School League: How do we meet this momentum with the structure and support it deserves?

A thoughtful consideration is needed

The Minnesota State High School League recently tabled a proposal that would have moved girls flag football toward emerging status, an important step on the path to becoming a fully sanctioned varsity sport. I respect the League’s role in evaluating new athletic opportunities, and I understand that member schools need information, clarity and time to consider implementation.

Responsible decisions require thoughtful process. But thoughtful process should also keep opportunity moving forward.

In just two seasons, the number of Minnesota high school girls flag football teams has more than doubled, growing from 51 teams to 104. That kind of growth tells us something important. It tells us that girls want to play. It tells us that families are showing up. It tells us that coaches, schools and communities are investing their time, energy and belief. It tells us that this sport has already captured the imagination of young people across Minnesota.

The girls have made their case on the field.