Reese Glass played flag football for the same team for three years, including in two NFL Flag National Championship tournaments.
This season, she’s out.

Not because of performance.
Not because of commitment.
Not because of anything she’s done.

She’s out because of a never-before-enforced 75-mile rule that requires players to join teams based on where they live—even if they’ve already spent years playing with a different team, and whether or not there is a team within that distance.

And she is not the only one.

 
What’s happening

This rule was introduced to prevent unfair recruiting.

But in practice, it is:

• Forcing players off teams they’ve committed to for years
• Ignoring whether a girls' team is even available in that distance
• Overlooking areas where no highly competitive travel team exists
• Breaking up established teams and coaching relationships
• Disrupting player development and team continuity
• Penalizing athletes who followed every rule

Why this matters

Team sports are built on trust, consistency, and development over time.

Players like Reese didn’t join a system to switch teams every season—they invested in relationships, training, and growth.

This rule removes that stability.

As flag football expands for young women and offers them opportunities for college scholarships and the Olympics, players near urban areas have many chances for exposure and training; those in rural areas may have none, or very limited options. And while NFL Flag emphasizes inclusion, it is locking players out just because they don't live in or near a big city.

 
The problem

A rule designed to address isolated recruiting concerns is now creating widespread disruption for legitimate players and teams.

It is solving one problem by creating another—larger one, especially for those in areas with fewer teams and fewer options to develop and play on the bigger and more competitive stages where chances to move on and up are offered.

A better solution

Fairness and continuity can coexist.

We are asking the NFL Flag program to:

• Allow players with established team history to remain with their teams
• Create eligibility rules and enforcement that are fair and equitable to every player, no matter where she lives
• Apply new eligibility rules prospectively, not retroactively
• Prevent cherry-picking without forcing out committed athletes
• Let players try out for the team of their choice, regardless of their zip code, and commit to that team for the season

Our goal

Protect fair competition and offer equitable opportunity without breaking up teams that were built the right way, regardless of where players are located.

 
Take action

If you believe players should not lose their place because of where they live—sign and share.

 
#LetThemPlay #NFLFlag #YouthSports #TeamMatters #PittsburghSteelers #NationalFootballLeague