Flagged for Greatness: Training Camp Diaries with Butler College Prep

As told to Gabby Hajduk

Throughout Chicago Bears Training Camp by LRS, the organization is hosting five high school girls flag football teams for exclusive visits to Halas Hall, which include access to practice and opportunities to meet players, coaches and front office executives.

Following each visit, ChicagoBears.com will highlight a special experience from the school's day in the new "Flagged For Greatness" series. On Thursday, Butler College Prep became the fifth and final program to attend camp less than two weeks before they kick off their second girls flag football season. Sophomore receiver Fallan White shares her dream-come-true experience.

I've always dreamt about football. Playing football. Being around football.

And today felt like a dream come true.

When my coach told our team we were going to Bears training camp, it was such a surprise. I didn't actually tune into the Bears until last year when they played in London. I've been following them since — they've got their No. 1 quarterback, they drafted Luther this year. So, I just got into it.

Football has always been on my mind, but growing up, my mom was protective and she would always say, "no tackling." So when flag football became an option at Butler last year while I was a freshman, I knew it was the sport for me. I felt like flag football was a safer version for the girls and gave us hope to play football.

Our team ended up going undefeated in conference play last season and we went on to win the CPS championships. Playing last year honestly gave me a sense of peace and a sense of purpose.

It also kept me focused. In order to play sports at my high school, you have to maintain a 3.0 GPA. Our coach took it a step further and requires us to have a 3.5. So when she held me to that standard, it helped me get better grades and become a better leader for my team. It feels like a family and the sport has just given me hope.

We didn't find out we were coming to Halas Hall until yesterday because our coach wanted to surprise us after tryouts took place earlier this week. I was so excited to come because I knew watching an NFL team practice would be something great for me to look up to and learn from. To see their sense of urgency, the drills they do, they fun they have with their teammates — it was such a fun experience.

Before practice ended and we got to meet some of the players, I thought about what it would be like to meet Caleb Williams. He's one of my favorite players, along with DJ Moore, because there's just something special about him. He's QB1. He's the one. I just love how he is with the team, how he directs them and talks to them and how he takes on all the challenges of being in the NFL.

In that moment, it would've meant the world to me to meet him.

And then 10 minutes later, it happened.

I was so excited. I didn't know how to react. He's such a great player and a great personality. I feel like sometimes athletes tend to turn things on when the cameras are on, but he was the exact same person off camera. That was so cool.

Meeting him, that was a dream come true.

And then, the day kept getting better. I met Rome Odunze, who I didn't know got drafted with Caleb. I got to interview him and ask him for any advice from a receiver to another receiver.

That was so cool. He gave me some tips and helped me gain really good confidence. That's something I struggle with — not always having confidence on the field — so to talk to him was special. He did tell me, "always have a football with you. Always be thinking about football. And as long as you have passion for it, you can make anything happen."

The last surprise was receiving new Nike cleats from the Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren and his wife Greta Warren. I mean, we don't know him, and he doesn't know us, so to surprise us with that was really special. Some people on our team are new to the sport and don't even have cleats, or some have cleats that don't fit, so a gesture like that means a lot to us. I just want to say thank you to Kevin.

I couldn't ask for a better day.

To be seen by a team like the Bears, it feels great, especially by people who love football as much as you do. I felt like a little kid accomplishing their dreams.

I'm going to take this day with me into our season. I'm gonna be stronger, more confident and a better leader to my teammates.

I'm gonna always know that this is my family. That the Bears are behind me.