I think this is wonderful news:
Last month, The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), National Football League (NFL), and Reigning Champs Experiences (RCX) partnered to make women's flag football a collegiate sport.
Just yesterday, the NFL announced that 15 colleges have already committed to starting programs. The new sport will create new full scholarship opportunities for women who will begin to compete in the spring of 2021.
"We just closed out 100 years of football," NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent told me. "Well, this is an example of what the next 100 years of football can look like. Women leading the efforts, not just as fans, not just as moms supporting their boys. Now, young ladies could actually compete and earn a scholarship like they have seen their brothers and their fathers do for so many years."
(https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/01/sport/naia-flag-football-teams-up-with-nfl-for-success-spt-intl/index.html)
The schools that will have a flag football team with players who are given college scholarships are Cottey College, Florida Memorial University, Kansas Wesleyan University, Keiser University, La Sierra University, Midland University, Milligan College, Ottawa University, Reinhardt University, St. Thomas University, Tougaloo College, University of Saint Mary, Warner University, Webber International University and Xavier University of Louisiana.
(https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/nfl-partners-with-15-colleges-to-commit-to-starting-collegiate-womens-flag-football-programs/)
None in Illinois. Yet.
I expect the excitement on this to grow rather rapidly and expect to see more schools added in the next few years.
Grace & Peace & Love to you all -
Matt