Chris, Service Dog Charlie and I rolled into Canton, Ohio—Pro Football Hall of Fame country—for what we call a “work-cation.” We set up camp and settled into a weekend buzzing with whistles, cheers, and rain-soaked ambition. The 2025 NFL FLAG Championships drew over 300 teams and 3,000 athletes from all over the US and abroad. Our mission? A mix of work and wonder—encouraging young players, catching up with friends, and watching the game evolve. Of course, RV life keeps you humble. Some strange power surge slipped past our protector and knocked out several outlets. So, we’ll be swinging by the repair shop next week. As one old friend always said: you only get three hours of happiness at a time. True.
The highlight of the weekend came not from a touchdown but from a microphone. On Thursday afternoon, a press conference announced that Ohio has officially sanctioned girls flag football as a varsity high school sport—joining 16 other states in giving girls a shot at gridiron glory. For a place like Ohio, where football is practically a second religion, this was big. Bigger than big. Girls are no longer just “allowed” to play—they’re being invited, equipped, and celebrated. The moment echoed across the fields: young women in cleats and ponytails high-fived, strategized, and competed like champions. In a sport historically reserved for the boys, these girls weren’t tagging along. They were leading the charge.
Why flag? Because it’s growing faster than any other sport on the planet. Over 20 million people play across more than 100 countries—and girls are fueling the momentum. It’s affordable. Accessible. It’s non-contact. You can play in a gym, on a field, or at the park. You don’t need pads or permission—just a ball, a coach, and a dream. And the benefits? They go way beyond touchdowns. Reading a defense? That’s reading a room. Calling an audible? That’s problem-solving under pressure. Being a teammate? That’s collaboration with stakes. Football teaches leadership in motion, especially for girls who’ve been told for decades, “This game isn’t for you.” Not anymore.
Canton reminded us why we love this sport—and this lifestyle. Sure, the road gave us a busted surge and wet socks. But it also gave us sunshine in between storms, a front-row seat to real change, and moments where girls broke barriers with every flag they pulled. Sometimes, we get to mix ministry and camping, work and play, and see firsthand the values football instills: resilience, teamwork, purpose. The kind of values that matter on the field and off. So here’s to the girls, the game, and the gospel we carry with us. And here’s to making sure the next generation—no matter their zip code or gender—gets to play with all their heart. As Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.”
