CHICAGO BEARS KICK OFF FOURTH ANNUAL UK FLAG LEAGUE
Star running back Roschon Johnson helped his Chicago Bears team kick off their fourth year of community initiatives in the UK at the weekend, launching the team’s Girls Flag League series in Manchester.
Johnson joined NFL Global Flag Football ambassador and Team GB captain Phoebe Schecter at the event, spending time with players and coaches to share his experiences in flag football and why the sport is so important to him.
“I’m excited to be part of the Bears’ work here in the UK and help kick off this year’s Girls Flag Football season,” the 24-year-old admitted. “Growing up, football gave me so many opportunities, not just on the field, but in life, and it’s great to see the Bears creating those same experiences for young people over here. Programmes like this open doors, build confidence, and bring communities together. I’m proud to represent the team and help grow the game in new places.”
Johnson, known for his commitment to community engagement and giving back in Chicago, was accompanied by Tanya Dreesen, Chicago Bears SVP of strategy and global affairs, who explained that programmes like flag football leagues are about more than simply playing the game.
“As we enter our third year in the UK, our focus remains on building meaningful connections and inspiring the next generation of athletes and fans,” Dreesen said. “These programs are about creating opportunities, fostering community and sharing the values that define us as an organisation. Whether through our Mini Monsters youth clinics or growing girls flag football in the UK, we are committed to making an impact at the grassroots level and strengthening our ties with international fans.”
Now in their fourth year of activity in the UK, the Bears — one of seven NFL teams with marketing rights in the UK — aim to make the sport more accessible and inclusive, offering young people from all backgrounds the chance to experience American football, many of whom will be tasting the sport for the first time. By the end of this year’s programme, the Bears expect to have helped introduce the sport to over 10,000 young people aged 7-21 since launching in 2022. In total, the Bears will have connected with 11 communities since 2022, stretching from Edinburgh to Exeter, marking a significant milestone as part of their long-term investment in the UK market.
The work being done in the UK mirrors the Bears’ community values back home in Illinois, prioritising access, inclusion and equity in youth sport. Programmes are designed to be free, with a focus on breaking down barriers to participation and growing the Bears ‘family’ in the UK. Following the weekend event in Manchester, Johnson will kick off the first ever Bears NFL Girls Flag league in Birmingham today (31st March), before heading to London to start the third season of the capital’s league. The 2025 schedule runs from late March through to 13 June.
The Bears Girls Flag leagues are targeted at girls ages 12-14, with participants planning and executing winning plays while building life-long psychological skills in strategy, communication and resilience, as well as hopefully contributing to improved mental wellbeing.
The accompanying Mini Monsters programme provides a series of 90-minute clinics and free youth coaching for boys and girls between the ages of 7-12, regardless of experience or physical capability. The initiative is designed to introduce younger children to the game in a fun and accessible environment, whilst teaching teamwork, physical activity and healthy habits.