By Joey Gelman

Full Feature Story On Carla To Come

Solorio Academy High School Senior Karla Martinez Rodriguez became the first-ever Chicago Public League student-athlete to receive a college scholarship in the sport of High School Girls Flag Football as she will attend Cottey College next year.

Karla will be the first in her family to attend college as she paves the way for future female student-athletes that will now have the opportunity to advance both their academic and athletic careers through girls flag football at the college level.

“I was really glad I joined because it helped me see that when you have the motivation and when you push each other…that’s not only a group, its a family,” Karla said. “It’s an opportunity not only to improve myself but to open up everybody else’s eyes to see your also capable of the same.”

The Chicago Bears, the Chicago Public League, Nike and NFL Flag partnered to launch High School Girls Flag Football in 2021, the first league of its kind in the state of Illinois.

Full Feature Story On Carla To Come