In the Lola Burks Thai Floyd interview, Burks told Thai Floyd that a chance hallway encounter sent her to girls’ flag football tryouts instead of a job interview. Now at East Texas Baptist University, she said the sport may be why she is in college at all. She also described needing five stitches after a game injury and explained why pressure makes her want to improve.

Why did Lola Burks start playing flag football?

Lola Burks started playing flag football because someone stopped her in a school hallway and pointed out a tryout poster. She had wanted to play football since eighth grade, but the opportunity arrived unexpectedly: she had planned to attend a job interview that day, not compete for a place on a team.

Wanting to play tackle football

Burks said she argued with her family about playing boys’ tackle football in eighth grade. They opposed the idea because of safety concerns, but her interest in football remained. She played softball for two years in high school, then transferred schools and chose not to play softball that year.

The hallway invitation and tryouts

When someone in the hallway asked whether she wanted to play football, Burks initially refused because she thought he meant playing against men. He clarified that it was girls’ flag football and showed her a poster announcing tryouts that day. About 80 girls attended, and Burks made the team.

She had to learn the sport quickly. Burks said she did not know what a route was before she began playing, but she was proud of how fast she adjusted. What began as a spontaneous decision became the path she now credits with changing her life.

What has Lola Burks learned from playing flag football and training younger girls?

Lola Burks said flag football taught her that she could learn quickly, play multiple positions and lead others. She also sees a responsibility to younger girls who want to play. Rather than treating that attention only as pressure, she has begun helping newcomers directly by training girls who have never played before.

Burks said the speed at which she had to learn revealed strengths she had not recognized in herself. Playing in different roles showed her that she could be versatile, while younger players looking up to her helped her discover leadership qualities she did not know she had.

Training two first-time players

She told Floyd she was about to train two young girls who had never played flag football. Burks wants them to be able to picture themselves playing in college someday. She also pushed back on the idea that women who missed the chance to play when they were younger have missed their opportunity altogether, pointing to tackle and professional flag football as avenues still available to them.

What did Lola Burks say about flag football injuries and physicality?

Lola Burks rejected the idea that flag football is easy or lacks physicality. She said she needed five stitches above her eye after it was cut during a game, and she described bruises and turf burns from playing. For Burks, competing for the ball on offense and defense requires players to put their bodies on the line.

She acknowledged that flag football is often described as noncontact, but said that label can leave viewers with the wrong impression. Burks called it “a no contact, contact sport.” She said someone who sits down to watch a game can see both the competition and the physical work involved.

Burks also challenged the suggestion that women playing flag football have an easy route to recognition. She pointed to professional players appearing on Under Armour and Nike billboards and emphasized the daily work behind those opportunities. In her view, the effort of those women has helped create more possibilities for players coming after them.

What does Lola Burks think about the future of women’s flag football?

Lola Burks said support for women’s flag football makes her hopeful that the sport can grow into something much bigger. She values the National Football League’s involvement and wants football to remain part of her own life, whether she continues as a player or eventually coaches. She has not settled on one future role.

National Football League support

Floyd asked Burks about the National Football League’s support for girls’ and women’s flag football. Burks said it matters to her that people believe in women’s sports and are willing to invest in the game. She described herself as grateful to be playing while that support is expanding.

A future as a player or coach

Asked where she might fit among women working in football, Burks said she is still building toward her goals. She would like to play professionally or coach professionally if those paths become possible. What she is certain about is wanting to keep football in her life.

Burks told Floyd that the sport has changed her direction so substantially that she is unsure she would be in college without it. Burks put it this way:

Probably wouldn't even be in college right now if I never picked up the ball.

What did Lola Burks say about East Texas Baptist University flag football?

Lola Burks said she enjoys her college experience at East Texas Baptist University, particularly the commitment of her teammates and the time they spend working together. During the offseason, she described a schedule of three weight-room days and two practice days, with players sometimes meeting for extra work on the field.

Her expectations for college were high, but she said she likes both the team and the greater flexibility in her day. Compared with a full high school schedule, she described having two or three classes, finishing her coursework, going to practice and still having free time. She said she is looking forward to the season.

Burks expects the team’s bond and preparation to show in games, and she wants to win. She also said losses could teach the players how to respond together. Even if results do not go their way, she wants the team to play hard, leave everything it can on the field and enjoy doing it together.

How does Lola Burks handle pressure in flag football?

Lola Burks said pressure motivates her rather than taking away her enjoyment of football. She likes practicing, getting better and competing against strong teams. Even when attention on young players brings expectations about the sport’s future, she said outside noise gives her another reason to work, not a reason to step back.

Burks told Floyd she enjoys practice enough to go throw a ball with a partner simply because she likes the sport. Facing a good opponent makes her want to win more. She does not regard that feeling as a downside of playing.

Defense, aggressive play and Izzy Geraci

That competitive approach shows up in how Burks describes her game. She prefers defense and would choose a game-winning interception over a flag pull just short of the end zone. Burks called herself aggressive and a playmaker, describing how she will slide or dive to reach the ball. She also named Izzy Geraci as her favorite football athlete and said she has met her.

Burks said she prefers to let her play speak rather than trash-talk. Her game-day gear includes a pink leg sleeve she said she always wears, along with other pink accessories and glitter. She identified her gloves—especially sparkly pink ones—as the item she does not want to leave out of her bag.

Who is Lola Burks?

Lola Burks is a Class of 2026 flag football athlete at Arlington Martin and an East Texas Baptist University commit with eight offers. Her positions include running back, defensive back, slot, safety and linebacker. She focuses on performance, leadership and building her personal brand on and off the field.

Thai Floyd

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