Throughout the 2026 Illinois high school girls flag football season, the Bears will recognize standout student-athletes through the Player of the Week Award, brought to you by Dunkin'. Each week, one player will be recognized for her outstanding performance on the field as well as her sportsmanship and community involvement off the field.
Saint Charles North quarterback and free safety Kaelie Tomalak received Week 2 Player of the Week honors. The quarterback helped lead the North Stars to a 4-0 record last week with major contributions on both sides of the ball. Tomalak, a team captain, threw 52 passes for 694 yards and 13 touchdowns while also recording three interceptions on defense, including a pick-six.
Tomalak spoke with ChicagoBears.com about her dad's influence on her love for football, her favorite moments from the season so far, her goals of playing flag football in college and more.
What does winning the Player of the Week award mean to you?
It was such an honor because I've been watching for the past few years what the Chicago Bears have been doing for girls flag football, and to be a part of something that I think will grow and be very big in the future is incredible. It's a great reflection of all the work that my team and I have put in, and I'm really happy that we're finding success and that it's being shown. I couldn't get the award without my team and the effort they've put in. I'm just really proud of them overall. So as much as it's my award, it's very much a reflection of them, too.
Where does your love of football come from?
My dad. He played college football at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and was a quarterback, and he always taught me how to play football. He was always watching football. It was always on and he was the one that pushed me into flag football and pushed my love for the sport.
When did you start playing football?
I would play for fun as a child, but it was three years ago, my sophomore year of high school, we had a club team, and that's when I first started participating.
Touchdown pass or pick-six?
A touchdown pass. It's just such a reflection of the connections that we've been working so hard to build. Obviously, I love getting action on defense, but it just feels like such a big success when a play works out and a teammate makes a great catch or anything like that.
Who are your football idols?
My role model in sports in general is my dad, just because he's always pushed me to be the best version of myself in every sport that I've done.
What has girls flag football meant to you?
It's been a new door that I opened. Whenever I describe it, it's just felt like playing outside as a kid, and it was just something that I could do that was always fun. Whether it was competing in a game or learning something new at practice, it was an opportunity that I'm so grateful to have.
What's the biggest responsibility of being a team captain?
Leading by example. Because our program is so new and there's so much growth to be had, I think — whether it's playing out there or interacting with others on the team — just being an example that can be strong for the future is something that I take very seriously as a captain.
What has been your favorite moment of the season so far?
Just seeing so much of our work pay off. My team and I have been working since spring on certain plays or routes or just concepts in general, and any moment where I see it all come together or I see someone do something that I just knew they could do, those have to be my favorite. I get so excited for those moments.
What's your ideal future in flag football?
In the near future, I want to have a really good playoff run with my team. And I'd love the opportunity to play in college and compete at the next level. It's something I never thought would be possible. So having that opportunity would be really cool.
