Photos of women’s tackle football show opportunities for female athletes in a game dominated by men
Detroit Prowl’s Danyelle Kerse, framed by a teammate wearing football breast cancer knee high socks, warms up before an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy, in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Tackle football has been played and enjoyed by women for decades, but until now mostly under the radar.
Two leagues have raised their profile as interest in women’s sports grows.
This gallery curated by AP photo editors shows the progress being made.
Detroit Prowl’s Sydney Hebel holds her hand over her heart during the playing of the national anthem at the start of the AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy, in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Sydney Hebel holds her hand over her heart during the playing of the national anthem at the start of the AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy, in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Kelly Zetting gets help pulling her helmet over her hair before an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Kelly Zetting gets help pulling her helmet over her hair before an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Bugg Patman applies face paint to Jahi Tillman, as they prepare for an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy, in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Bugg Patman applies face paint to Jahi Tillman, as they prepare for an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy, in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Deja Adams, right, helps JaCree Allen with her shoulder pads before an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Deja Adams, right, helps JaCree Allen with her shoulder pads before an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Lexi Bryant adjusts her knee brace before an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Lexi Bryant adjusts her knee brace before an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Sydney Hebel waits in the locker room to take the field before an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Sydney Hebel waits in the locker room to take the field before an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Toya Shinaul, from left to right, Kelly Bernadyn, Sydney Hebel, Jasmine Hamilton and Allie Gorcyca walk out for the coin toss at the start of an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy, in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Toya Shinaul, from left to right, Kelly Bernadyn, Sydney Hebel, Jasmine Hamilton and Allie Gorcyca walk out for the coin toss at the start of an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy, in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl quarterback Allie Gorcyca, right, stiff arms Lansing Legacy’s Ashley Graham during an AWFL women’s football game in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl quarterback Allie Gorcyca, right, stiff arms Lansing Legacy’s Ashley Graham during an AWFL women’s football game in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Milana Stromile celebrates an interception against the Lansing Legacy during an AWFL women’s football game in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Milana Stromile celebrates an interception against the Lansing Legacy during an AWFL women’s football game in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Lansing Legacy’s Alexis Johnson stands on the sidelines with her arm wrapped after being injured in an AWFL women’s football game against the Detroit Prowl, in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Lansing Legacy’s Alexis Johnson stands on the sidelines with her arm wrapped after being injured in an AWFL women’s football game against the Detroit Prowl, in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl running back Bugg Patman (25) is tackled by Lansing Legacy’s Sarah Kowalczyk during an AWFL women’s football game in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl running back Bugg Patman (25) is tackled by Lansing Legacy’s Sarah Kowalczyk during an AWFL women’s football game in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Jasmine Hamilton (32) reacts with Lansing Legacy’s Hana Walter (44) in a post-game line after an AWFL women’s football game in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Jasmine Hamilton (32) reacts with Lansing Legacy’s Hana Walter (44) in a post-game line after an AWFL women’s football game in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Sydney Hebel holds her hand over her heart during the playing of the national anthem at the start of the AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy, in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Sydney Hebel holds her hand over her heart during the playing of the national anthem at the start of the AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy, in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Kelly Zetting gets help pulling her helmet over her hair before an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Kelly Zetting gets help pulling her helmet over her hair before an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Bugg Patman applies face paint to Jahi Tillman, as they prepare for an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy, in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Bugg Patman applies face paint to Jahi Tillman, as they prepare for an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy, in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Deja Adams, right, helps JaCree Allen with her shoulder pads before an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Deja Adams, right, helps JaCree Allen with her shoulder pads before an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Lexi Bryant adjusts her knee brace before an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Lexi Bryant adjusts her knee brace before an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Sydney Hebel waits in the locker room to take the field before an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Sydney Hebel waits in the locker room to take the field before an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Toya Shinaul, from left to right, Kelly Bernadyn, Sydney Hebel, Jasmine Hamilton and Allie Gorcyca walk out for the coin toss at the start of an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy, in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Toya Shinaul, from left to right, Kelly Bernadyn, Sydney Hebel, Jasmine Hamilton and Allie Gorcyca walk out for the coin toss at the start of an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy, in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl quarterback Allie Gorcyca, right, stiff arms Lansing Legacy’s Ashley Graham during an AWFL women’s football game in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl quarterback Allie Gorcyca, right, stiff arms Lansing Legacy’s Ashley Graham during an AWFL women’s football game in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Milana Stromile celebrates an interception against the Lansing Legacy during an AWFL women’s football game in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Milana Stromile celebrates an interception against the Lansing Legacy during an AWFL women’s football game in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Lansing Legacy’s Alexis Johnson stands on the sidelines with her arm wrapped after being injured in an AWFL women’s football game against the Detroit Prowl, in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Lansing Legacy’s Alexis Johnson stands on the sidelines with her arm wrapped after being injured in an AWFL women’s football game against the Detroit Prowl, in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl running back Bugg Patman (25) is tackled by Lansing Legacy’s Sarah Kowalczyk during an AWFL women’s football game in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl running back Bugg Patman (25) is tackled by Lansing Legacy’s Sarah Kowalczyk during an AWFL women’s football game in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Jasmine Hamilton (32) reacts with Lansing Legacy’s Hana Walter (44) in a post-game line after an AWFL women’s football game in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Jasmine Hamilton (32) reacts with Lansing Legacy’s Hana Walter (44) in a post-game line after an AWFL women’s football game in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Sydney Hebel holds her hand over her heart during the playing of the national anthem at the start of the AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy, in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Sydney Hebel holds her hand over her heart during the playing of the national anthem at the start of the AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy, in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Kelly Zetting gets help pulling her helmet over her hair before an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Kelly Zetting gets help pulling her helmet over her hair before an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Bugg Patman applies face paint to Jahi Tillman, as they prepare for an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy, in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Bugg Patman applies face paint to Jahi Tillman, as they prepare for an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy, in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Deja Adams, right, helps JaCree Allen with her shoulder pads before an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Deja Adams, right, helps JaCree Allen with her shoulder pads before an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Lexi Bryant adjusts her knee brace before an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Lexi Bryant adjusts her knee brace before an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Sydney Hebel waits in the locker room to take the field before an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Sydney Hebel waits in the locker room to take the field before an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Toya Shinaul, from left to right, Kelly Bernadyn, Sydney Hebel, Jasmine Hamilton and Allie Gorcyca walk out for the coin toss at the start of an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy, in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Toya Shinaul, from left to right, Kelly Bernadyn, Sydney Hebel, Jasmine Hamilton and Allie Gorcyca walk out for the coin toss at the start of an AWFL women’s football game against the Lansing Legacy, in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl quarterback Allie Gorcyca, right, stiff arms Lansing Legacy’s Ashley Graham during an AWFL women’s football game in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl quarterback Allie Gorcyca, right, stiff arms Lansing Legacy’s Ashley Graham during an AWFL women’s football game in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Milana Stromile celebrates an interception against the Lansing Legacy during an AWFL women’s football game in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Milana Stromile celebrates an interception against the Lansing Legacy during an AWFL women’s football game in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Lansing Legacy’s Alexis Johnson stands on the sidelines with her arm wrapped after being injured in an AWFL women’s football game against the Detroit Prowl, in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Lansing Legacy’s Alexis Johnson stands on the sidelines with her arm wrapped after being injured in an AWFL women’s football game against the Detroit Prowl, in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl running back Bugg Patman (25) is tackled by Lansing Legacy’s Sarah Kowalczyk during an AWFL women’s football game in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl running back Bugg Patman (25) is tackled by Lansing Legacy’s Sarah Kowalczyk during an AWFL women’s football game in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Jasmine Hamilton (32) reacts with Lansing Legacy’s Hana Walter (44) in a post-game line after an AWFL women’s football game in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Detroit Prowl’s Jasmine Hamilton (32) reacts with Lansing Legacy’s Hana Walter (44) in a post-game line after an AWFL women’s football game in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
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