US Flag Football Star Ashlea Klam Eyes 2028 Olympic Gold – And So Much More
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- 21 Jan 2025
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As the countdown to flag football's debut as an Olympic sport in Los Angeles begins, Ashlea Klam stands out as a remarkable talent poised to make her mark. At just 20 years old, Klam has already achieved significant milestones in her flag football career, including winning a world championship with the U.S. national team, despite never having the opportunity to compete for a state title in high school.
Klam's journey in flag football is both inspiring and indicative of the sport's evolving landscape. Growing up in Austin, Texas, she was a multi-sport athlete, excelling in soccer, volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball, and track and field. However, it was her brother Peyton's involvement in flag football that ignited her passion for the game. After years of attending his games, Klam expressed her desire to play, leading her parents to establish a team in a local recreational league.
With her parents' support, Klam quickly distinguished herself in the sport, eventually helping to create the Texas Fury, a girls-only flag football program that has grown significantly since its inception. The Fury has expanded from a single team to ten teams in Austin and two in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, reflecting the increasing popularity of flag football among young girls.
Klam's dedication to flag football paid off when she received a scholarship to Keiser University in Florida, where she continued to excel on the field. In her freshman year, she caught 79 passes for 1,116 yards and 27 touchdowns, leading her team to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) championship game.
In August 2024, Klam further solidified her status as a top player by helping the U.S. women's flag football national team secure its third consecutive world title in Finland. As the youngest member of the team, she contributed significantly, catching 41 passes for 367 yards and seven touchdowns, including a crucial reception in the gold medal game against Mexico.
Despite her success, Klam is acutely aware of the challenges facing young female athletes in flag football. Only 13 U.S. states had sanctioned girls' varsity high school flag football by the end of her breakout year, and Texas, a state known for its football culture, was not among them. This lack of opportunities at the high school level has motivated Klam and her family to advocate for the sport's inclusion as a sanctioned varsity sport in Texas.
The Klam family has been actively working with NFL organizations, including the Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys, to promote flag football in schools. Their efforts have included presentations to the University Interscholastic League, which governs high school sports in Texas. Recently, the Texans pledged $1.4 million toward the growth of girls' flag football, signaling progress in their advocacy.
As Klam prepares for the 2028 Olympics, she remains focused on her goal of representing the U.S. on the world stage. She has participated in talent identification camps organized by USA Football, which aims to build a robust pipeline of Olympic hopefuls in flag football. Klam believes that expanding access to varsity flag football is crucial for nurturing future talent and ensuring that more young girls can pursue their passion for the sport.
“This sport has given me so much more than a gold medal or wins and losses,” Klam said. “I want that for every younger girl who has the passion for this sport.”
Ashlea Klam's journey in flag football exemplifies the potential of the sport as it prepares for its Olympic debut. Her achievements on the field, combined with her advocacy for greater opportunities for young female athletes, position her as a role model in the growing landscape of flag football. As she sets her sights on Olympic gold, Klam is not only paving the way for herself but also for future generations of female athletes who aspire to follow in her footsteps.
