They’re tackling gender norms, embracing self-expression, bucking societal expectations and playing rough to win.

Women have been playing tackle football for decades, mostly under the radar, but two league commissioners believe it will be part of the next wave as interest in women's sports grows.

The league did give women's tackle football a platform at halftime of the Pro Bowl in 2020, when 22 players from the Utah Girls Football League were featured in a scrimmage.

Women have been playing tackle football for decades, mostly under the radar. Two leagues have raised their profile enough to have women competing for championships on ESPN2 in high-end venues.

Women have been playing tackle football for decades, mostly under the radar, but two league commissioners believe it will be part of the next wave as interest in women's sports grows.

NPR's Juana Summers talks with Olivia Kuan about her documentary, The Herricanes, about her mom's professional football career and the National Women's Football League.

Football sensation Sam Gordon proved to be the inspiration behind the Utah Girls Tackle Football League.

Paul Sancya / AP Women have been playing tackle football for decades, mostly under the radar, but two league commissioners believe it will be part of the next wave as interest in women's sports grows.

Hamlin played tackle football as a kid. She’s played in a women’s league for 14 years and also coaches. “When I first started playing we would literally find a patch of grass,” Hamlin said.

Women have been playing tackle football for decades, mostly under the radar, but two league commissioners believe it will be part of the next wave as interest in women's sports grows.