cleveland
I played girls flag football for the first time 62 years ago.
Ive waited that long for it to become an official high school sport.
It happened this year.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association approved girls flag football as its 15th recognized girls sport.
Its been a long time coming.
I never understood why girls high school flag football was not embraced by our football-crazed country.
I understand that football can be violent and dangerous.
I dont think Id want to be tackled.
But were talking flags, not flattening someone.
And did you ever watch a girls hockey game? Or even an overly aggressive girls basketball game? The flag football I played wasnt a sanctioned high school sport and we didnt play other schools.
It wasnt even an intramural sport at Solon High School or at most, if any, other high schools.
We didnt play for school glory.
We just liked the game.
I dont know how many years it was before I became a high school freshman that the annual Turkey Bowl game had been played.
I remember it was loosely organized by a handful of athletic senior girls.
Of course, most girls on these teams never officially competed or tested their athletic skills in sanctioned high school sports.
Unless you wanted to be a cheerleader or play after-school volleyball, playing sports at a public school was not an option.
This was before Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 was passed.
The act basically prohibited sex discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.
It opened the door for girls participation and/or creation of girls sports teams in many schools.
At my high school, a few younger girls were asked to join the two flag football teams that were formed every year.
You didnt have a choice which team or position: Just wear a blue (or white) sweatshirt.
We had one football and no coaches.
We did have Mr.
Donald Sutherland, a popular social studies teacher, who voluntarily refereed the games.
He was head official, linesman, waterboy, first aid provider and our biggest supporter.
(And, with his presence, we were able to use the high school football field.) We practiced only one day a year usually after school on the last day before Thanksgiving vacation.
We played the Turkey Bowl game on the Friday after Thanksgiving.
No fans in the stands, parents, band or cheerleaders.
At 5-feet-2-inches, I wasnt exactly intimidating.
I didnt always catch the ball down the field.
But I could run like the wind.
If I got the ball into my hands, I could zigzag my way through defenders to the goal line.
It was pure sport, a bit daring back then and a lot of fun.
Im not sure when the games at Solon ended.
Ive been told liability issues, field scheduling conflicts and safety concerns took their toll.
Also, and most likely, because so many other Title IX sports opportunities became available to girls that there was no need.
Now, girls flag football is having its day in Ohio and Im happy.
Am I envious? Yeah, a little.
But I have two grandsons who play football for their high school and college and I enjoy watching them.
Im not sure they believe their grandmother once sprinted down a football field.
So, I just smile and quietly and proudly believe that genetics plays a role in their gridiron success.
To the girls who play high school flag football today, I wish you luck, many wins and joy.
But stay humble you arent the first.
Sell is a freelance writer from Sagamore Hills who is more than ready for football season to start.
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