Credit: Philadelphia Eagles
Even though Girls Flag Football has only been around for a short time, Abington Senior High’s Maya Johnson already is making a name for herself.
In September, the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) sanctioned Girls Flag Football as an official sport in Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles, in partnership with Gatorade, The Bellwether District, and Planet Fitness, helped to grow the sport by launching a Flag Football league of its own in 2022, consisting of 16 teams from the Philadelphia Public and Catholic Leagues. Today, it sits at 92 teams in Pennsylvania with another 32 teams from New Jersey.
Now, ahead of the 88th Maxwell Football Club Awards, the Philadelphia Eagles have nominated Abington Senior High School Flag Football Player Maya Johnson. This will be the first year the National Girls Flag Player of the Year will be presented at the Maxwell Awards on March 14, 2025 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
The Maxwell Football Club hosts a number of awards, including the Maxwell, Chuck Bednarik, and Bert Bell Awards. The award is presented each year to an outstanding player based on on-field performance, academic achievement, and community service.
"Anybody who watches her is extremely impressed,” Abington Flag Football Coach Melissa Brizzell told Phiadelphiaeagles.com. “Maya is complimented by everyone, including the referees. They're impressed with her ability. It's not only her athletic ability in regard to playing. She came to us our first year and she was like, 'I'm going to be your quarterback,' and we were like, 'OK, let's see what you got.' She earned that spot very quickly.
"What makes her stand out as to why she earns this, in my opinion, is she's not just a phenomenal athlete," Brizzell added. "She's a phenomenal leader. I've always been impressed with how she works with the other players on the team. She's extremely good at making them feel that they're great and can be successful. She always takes responsibility, and she has a very humble aura around her that I think brings a lot of calmness. But the girls know she can always do what she needs to get it done and we as coaches trust her 100 percent."
Johnson was eager to get her career started and now is even more excited to see the sport grow in front of her eyes.
"Just go for it," Johnson said. "You never know how far it could take you. You never know who's watching. You never know how good you could be at something until you really put yourself in that position to do well and actually play whatever sport or whatever you want to do."
Johnson helped guide Abington High School to the Eagles Girls Flag Football League of Pennsylvania Championship in 2023.
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