Ahead of their game against the Jaguars in London, the Bears supported a handful of flag football activations — including a 14U tournament, coaching clinics and gameday recognitions — to continue with the global expansion of the sport.
The club began those efforts in 2023 when they partnered with the Jets to launch the United Kingdom NFL Girls Flag Football League, which celebrated an expansion in its second season this past spring. The Bears were catalysts in the growth of girls flag football in Illinois — the club helped take the sport from 22 Chicago Public League Schools in 2021 to an IHSA sanctioned sport in 2024 — and wanted to bring that success to the UK.
"We are extremely proud that girls flag football had such a significant presence in the week in London and that girls flag was highlighted at the Bears game on Sunday," manager of youth and high school football Gustavo Silva said. "It is evident that our passion, commitment and support of girls flag football is paying dividends in our international markets."
The first activation took place before the team even arrived in London. Silva attended the NFL Flag 14U Continental European Girls Flag Tournament at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Monday. Five NFL clubs supported girls flag teams from Spain (Bears), Great Britain (Jets), Germany (Falcons), Austria (Patriots) and France (Saints).
The Bears' Spain team, which the club sponsored for the tournament, secured the inaugural championship after defeating Austria 13-0 in the final match.
Silva and formers Bears cornerback Charles Tillman then co-led a Flag Football Coaches Clinic, brought to you by Nike, at Bobby Moore Academy Wednesday. The Bears collaborated with British American Football and the London Warriors to conduct a hands-on clinic to elevate the skills of local coaches.
Tillman expressed his excitement for being able to put on his coaching hat Wednesday and help the participants see the link between American football and England's most popular sport, soccer.
"The drills that we did, a lot of them you could implement into soccer training, the footwork drills," Tillman said. "You're running routes, and you're staying low, and you're coming out of your break. You can do those same drills in soccer. And that was the connection that I was trying to make with these coaches. Yeah, it's a different sport, however, the movements are the same. I felt that once I explained it like that, they were able to see a similarity, which, again, is pretty cool."
Following the coaches clinic Wednesday, the Bears also held their first-ever adult tackle and flag football clinic for current players.
"We were able to support players by having them participate in a series of skill development drills for the particular style of football they play," Silva added. "Skills covered tackling and flag pulling instruction, defensive back drills, running back drills and wide receiver drills. Peanut Tillman shared some tricks of the trade with participants as well."
Before the Bears' second practice of the week in North London last Thursday, the NFL hosted a youth football clinic. Approximately 100 local students had a unique opportunity to learn about American football and interact with Bears players, coaches and front office staff as they made their way to the practice fields.
"For many this was their first experience with American football and first opportunity to interact with the Bears up close," Silva said. "After the clinic, players ran through a tunnel of kids giving high fives and creating a lot of excitement. I believe many Bears fans were created in the process."
The week concluded with a celebration of girls flag football players at the Bears-Jaguars game Sunday afternoon. Three teams supported by the club — Northwood (Bears London league champions), Wright Robinson (Bears Manchester League champions) and Mt. Carmel (UK NFL Flag Girls 15U champions) — were recognized during the game and helped welcome the team onto the field during player introductions.
"It is evident that our efforts to grow flag football by increasing access, inclusion and diversity are starting to pay dividends," Silva added. "We are seeing not only greater participation, but also greater enthusiasm and excitement around the game. It is extremely gratifying to not only provide the opportunity to play the game, but also once in a lifetime experiences for young people, and it is satisfying to know that we are creating avid lifelong Chicago Bears fans in the process."
