Girls’ flag football is gaining traction nationwide, with more schools fielding teams and more athletes stepping onto the field. But with every new opportunity in high school sports comes a reminder that health — both physical and mental — has to come first. As Alicyn Martinez reflects in the student newspaper at Rocky Mountain High School in Colorado, the pressures of competition can weigh just as heavily as the training itself.
In her first-person account, she describes the weight of schoolwork, long commutes, and the relentless pressure to perform for coaches, teammates, and recruiters.
“There were moments when I really thought about giving up,” she wrote. “It got to a point where I wasn’t even sure I wanted to play in college anymore because I didn’t feel good enough; it felt like I wasn’t even playing for myself anymore.”
For many teens, those words ring true regardless of their sport. Other student-athletes share the same struggles. Rocky Mountain baseball player Blaine Canfield said he uses meditation to calm his mind before games.
“With baseball, staying in the present and not thinking a lot about the future or the past is a big part for me,” he explained. Balancing practices, nutrition, and a full academic load is a challenge: “I’d say it’s pretty hard if you’re not very prepared for that.”
The clear message is that victories and trophies don’t erase the toll of burnout. Students need support systems that recognize athletes as people first, players second.
The rise of girls’ flag football adds another opportunity for young people to thrive on the field, but also another reason for schools and communities to ensure that mental health is as much a part of the game plan as physical conditioning.
