Flagged for Greatness: Training Camp Diaries with Simeon Career Academy

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 Tuesday, Simeon Career Academy was the first team to attend camp, with more than 20 players and coaches present. Incoming senior quarterback Karesha Bradford shares her perspective on the once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Pure excitement.

That's what I felt when I met Caleb Williams.

My team and I were on the sideline after practice, waiting to meet some of the players, specifically our athlete ambassador Kevin Byard, when Caleb walked up. I had just gotten an autograph from Kyle [Monangai], so I didn't see Caleb right away, but once I did, I just felt joy.

We took a selfie and he signed my football. It was like how you feel when you say "a dream come true."

Meeting Caleb meant a lot to me for multiple reasons. For one, I'm going on my third season of girls flag football as a quarterback. I'll be a senior this year and I want to take this sport to college with me. I'm just not ready to be done playing.

I recently got asked, "what's one regret you have?" and after thinking for a bit, my answer was "not starting flag football as a freshman." Our coach was pushing for me to be on the team, but I just couldn't commit to it. I used to struggle committing to something fully because I just wanted to do a little bit of everything, but once I finally took the chance, I fell in love with the sport.

Last season, I was really focused on improving, so when I would go home after practices, I'd watch football clips, sometimes of NFL teams and sometimes of other girls flag teams. Caleb was one of the quarterbacks I'd watch. It helped me be like, "maybe I've just got to let go and play."

Watching him practice in-person on Tuesday was so cool. I was trying to take some pointers on his movement and footwork, because I know that's something I need to improve at. I enjoyed just watching a professional play and even though it's a practice and not a game, he was still putting in all the effort he had. I feel like that will make me get on the field now and put forth that same effort.

When Caleb came by after practice, he told us he started the sport by playing flag football as a kid. To know that he started in the same spot that I'm in now is so exciting. I think it's going to help me be more determined this year.

The experience also meant a lot personally. My dad is the biggest Bears fan I know. The first thing I did when I found out my team was invited to training camp was call him. He was so happy. I just felt so grateful that we were chosen for this opportunity because it could've been so many other teams. But the Bears chose us.

I was so excited to get to Halas Hall because I really wanted to see why my dad loves this team so much. He's always shown me, not just told me, how much the Bears meant to him. He used to always take us to training camp in Bourbonnais. His basement is called the "Bear Down Cave" and the walls are covered in Bears pictures.

Right after I met Caleb, I texted my dad the picture. That felt so cool. When I was growing up, he always had football in my life, taking me to Bears games when I was four or five years old. I never thought I'd now share a love of football with him.

Whenever I talk to my dad about football, I thank him, because I feel like he's the reason that I sparked an interest in it. I never expected any of this — playing football, watching the Bears up close or meeting Caleb Williams.

Like I said, I never thought I'd be able to commit to something like this, but once I met my team a couple years ago, they felt like family. I love all my teammates and my coaches have always been there for me. I went through some hard things recently. I lost my favorite auntie, who was like my second mama. Auntie, I love you and I'm gonna make you proud.

My team was there for me during that. They kept me going. And being on the field during that time took my mind off of it. I realized I had another family that wasn't my actual blood.

It's crazy to think how the past couple years on this team led me here, meeting a bunch of Bears players and feeling welcomed by my dad's favorite team.

Today was just the best. I'm still trying to comprehend it all. Being here just means more opportunities. It showed me bigger spectrum of the world around us and what's possible.

It's inspiration. Seeing this, it's just like, 'Wow.' Because imagine if I actually take this sport far. I can be Caleb Williams on the field, signing and giving people autographs. Like, I can be the next one. It was just inspiration and excitement.