The girls flag football team at North Lawndale College Prep headed into the playoffs with a big boost from the Chicago Bears.
The team surprised the Lady Phoenix with a dolly full of brand-new equipment: cleats, pads, helmets, sports bras and more.
“We really thought we [were] in trouble at first,” junior Emily Goodman said. “Now, actually everybody is happy. I can speak for everybody because everybody is happy from the looks of it.”
Milan and Emily both sit with their new cleats and gear at North Lawndale Phoenix flag football team at North Lawndale College Prep at 1615 S. Christiana Ave in North Lawndale, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. The Chicago Bears donated cleats, sweatbands, gloves, flags, and other clothing items to the team as they get ready to play in the playoffs.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
The Bears and the McCaskey Foundation also made a $1,000 donation to the Lady Phoenix program.
The Bears and the Chicago Public League launched a pilot program in 2021 featuring nearly two-dozen teams from the city. After a couple of years of moderate expansion, the Illinois High School Association officially sanctioned it in 2024.
Teams now compete from across the state, with sectional playoffs that begin tonight as they march toward an Oct. 17 championship game at Willowbrook High School.
Bears youth and high school football coordinator Lenny Smith made the presentation at North Lawndale and says it’s important for girls to know they can have the same opportunities that boys have had for more than a century. He thinks there will be opportunities for the girls to eventually play professionally before too long.
“[Women’s flag football] will be an Olympic sport in 2028, and the NFL is currently working on a pro flag football league that’ll be launching … in the next maybe five years,” Smith said. “This is a great sport, and the potential is just growing and growing and growing.”
Lenny Smith, Bears youth and high school football coordinator, speaks with members of North Lawndale Phoenix flag football team at North Lawndale College Prep at 1615 S. Christiana Ave in North Lawndale, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. The Chicago Bears donated cleats, sweatbands, gloves, flags, and other clothing items to the team as they get ready to play in the playoffs.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
The North Lawndale Lady Phoenix took on the Christ the King Lady Gladiators Wednesday night at De La Salle Institute.