Why coaches call this Chicago Bears executive the ‘Godfather’ of Illinois flag football
They call him the ‘Godfather’ of Illinois flag football. Here’s how a Chicago Bears executive helped transform the sport across the state.
Gustavo Silva, the Director of Football Development for the Chicago Bears, has earned the nickname "Godfather of Illinois high school flag football" due to his significant impact on the sport in the state. Coaches and officials credit Silva for helping flag football become a sanctioned varsity sport within the Illinois High School Association (IHSA), which will host its third-ever championship on October 17.
Silva initiated the pilot program in 2021, partnering with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and reaching out to schools, resulting in 26 teams participating in the first year. The McCaskey family, the controlling owners of the Bears, provided support throughout the process. Within three years, the sport grew to include 100 schools, allowing it to be sanctioned by the IHSA as a varsity sport in just three years, which is the fastest such process in Illinois.
Silva continues to be an advocate for the sport, interacting with officials and coaches at games and promoting flag football at the local level.
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