Chicago Bears name Josie Borkowski girls flag football player of the week
The Chicago Bears honored St. Ignatius junior Josie Borkowski on Oct. 29, 2026, as the Week 8 girls flag football player of the week. In two sectional victories, she totaled 114 rushing yards, 54 receiving yards and accounted for 24 points, including an interception return for a touchdown. Her production helped St. Ignatius secure the No. 3 seed in the Illinois High School Association state tournament, and the award was posted on ChicagoBears.com as part of the Bears’ weekly Player of the Week program presented by Dunkin’.
The weekly recognition highlights on-field performance as well as sportsmanship and community involvement, the Bears said on ChicagoBears.com. Borkowski told ChicagoBears.com she was surprised and honored after her coach nominated her for the award. She said she began playing flag football last year, the program’s first season, and that participating with friends and supportive coaches made the transition from cross country and other sports enjoyable. She also said her family, longtime Bears fans, were excited by the opportunity to play.
Borkowski credited her coaches, particularly Coach Marks, who moved from JV offensive coach to varsity offensive coach this season, with shaping her development. She said she likes rushing on defense and also playing on offense. Borkowski said the team built strong chemistry after spending last season together at the JV level, and that the roster is largely juniors and sophomores. She described the team’s state tournament experience as exciting and a milestone in the program’s second year.
Borkowski said she would like to play in college if the opportunity arises and that she plans to return to flag football next year. She told ChicagoBears.com she is still learning about the sport because it is growing so fast. The Bears’ Player of the Week series will continue to spotlight standout Illinois high school girls flag football athletes throughout the season. The award and accompanying interview were published on ChicagoBears.com on Oct. 29, 2026.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Josie Borkowski’s production in two sectional wins shows a balanced skill set that includes rushing, receiving and defensive playmaking. The continuity from last season’s JV group and the young roster of mostly juniors and sophomores provide a foundation for St. Ignatius in its second year of the program. The Chicago Bears’ weekly Player of the Week program, presented by Dunkin’, is bringing local visibility to rising high school players. That visibility highlights individual achievements and the growth of girls flag football in Illinois, a point Borkowski noted when she said the sport is growing quickly.