Girls flag football has officially been recognized as the Ohio High School Athletic Association's (OHSAA) 29th recognized sport.
The designation marks the culmination of years of growth, advocacy and partnership across Ohio. Thousands of girls across Ohio now have access to competitive flag football and athletes can compete for league, regional and state championships.
What began as a small pilot initiative evolved into the fastest-growing high school sport in the state, going from six teams in 2021 to over 160 in 2026.
Elevating girls flag football gives the same level of recognition to the sport as other OHSAA sports, creating a clear championship structure. It also increases opportunities for schools to invest in programs and provides student-athletes with additional recruiting opportunities, further legitimatizing football for female athletes.
Girls flag football has also increased female participation in high school athletics, as 50 percent of girls flag athletes didn't previously play another varsity sport. The sport offers leadership, teamwork and character-development opportunities while opening the door to collegiate flag football programs that continue to emerge nationwide.
The journey to this moment didn't happen overnight, though.
The Browns, OHSAA, NFL Flag, local school districts and coaches spent years building the sport from the ground up. Early efforts focused on proving there was a sustained interest among female athletes, providing them the opportunity to play while finding stakeholders in local communities who would advocate for the sport.
As part of the long winding journey, the Browns focused on demonstrating participation growth, access, collegiate opportunities and USA Football National Team pathways.
To build a foundation for the sport, the Browns held a girls flag jamboree in the fall of 2021. The Browns then launched the first pilot season in the spring of 2022, creating the first girls high school flag football league alongside Northeast Ohio Flag Football and becoming the earliest champions of the sport in the state.
Additionally, the Browns provided equipment, uniforms, resources and officiating fees to help grow the sport and provide equitable access. The Browns worked directly with schools and administrators to expand participation and launch teams at schools across Northeast Ohio and Central Ohio.
The goal of the programming was simple — create more opportunities and access for girls to play football.
Adding on to the programing efforts, the Browns spearheaded the conversation surrounding sanctioning and long-term sustainability of girls flag football in Ohio.
Browns Vice President of Community Relations Jenner Tekancic and Manager of Youth Football Hannah Lee sit on the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association, which represents Region 18 — an integral step that was needed as part of the sanctioning process.
"Having representation within the Association was a vital milestone in getting girls flag football recognized as a varsity sport," Lee said. "The OHSAA made it clear that a structured and supported coaches association was necessary, and our election into leadership positions provided the credibility and legitimacy the sport needed. It also allowed us to serve as statewide advocates, sharing updates, supporting emerging programs, and helping drive growth, especially in regions where the sport was still developing. This leadership role continues to strengthen the sport's foundation and expand opportunities for girls across Ohio."
Stating that there needed to be at least 150 high schools across the state participating in girls flag football, OHSAA provided the pathway toward official recognition.
From 2022 to 2024, there was incremental growth — going from nine participating schools to 29. But in 2025 and 2026, the Browns' programming took off, seeing a 100 percent increase in school participation both years.
In 2026, there were 120 schools specific to the Browns region while the Bengals had 40 schools, bringing the total number participating girls flag football programs to 160 for the state of Ohio.
Along the way, the Pro Football Hall of Fame became an important partner, hosting the inaugural OHSAA Girls Flag Football State Championship in May. This ensured that girls flag athletes had the same championship experience as the boys tackle football athletes.
The explosion in school participation because of the programming has demonstrated that the Browns are the leaders and drivers of girls flag football in Ohio. The Browns have quickly established themselves as a pioneer in the sport through storytelling, advocacy and involvement while continuing to invest in programming, league support and school outreach.
On top of the Browns' support, coaches, athletic directors and athletes have become advocates for the sport within their local communities. Since the introduction of the Browns' programming, annual participation growth has demonstrated that demand is real and sustainable.
On a national level, flag football continues to be one of the fastest growing sports for girls nationwide. Over 20 states have already sanctioned the sport at the high school level and the inclusion of flag football in the 2028 Los Angeles has further accelerated interest.
The decision to elevate girls flag football positions Ohio as a national leader in the movement. Ohio is the only state to support a 5v5 gameplay, which is the style that will be used at the Olympics and in the NFL's supported professional flag football league. This gives schools the ability to stack more games on the weekends and have their athletes gain more experience on the field.
Looking ahead, girls flag football participation is expected to continue growing in Ohio, with the OHSAA anticipating the number of participating schools to continue to grow with each season.
The focus now shifts from proving the sport belongs to building a sustainable future and developmental pipeline. The Browns will continue to expand access, competition and opportunities.
Recognizing the sport marks the end of one journey, but the next chapter for Ohio girls flag football is just beginning.
