By Marty Gordon
A 2014 graduate of Christiansburg High School has signed a professional football contact. Makayla Brown is joining the Utah Falconz as part of the Women’s National Football Conference, Pacific Division.
Brown thought playing women’s tackle football would be a new adventure, something to challenge her mentally and physically.
Brown moved to Utah with her fiancé, Nate Rogers, and she is currently a Computer Science Middle School teacher.
This past spring season, the Utah Falconz won the Pacific Conference championship with a final record of 5-4.
This upcoming 2023 Spring Season they will play San Diego Rebellion, Oregon Ravens, Denver Lady Bandits, Texas Elite Spartans, Las Vegas Silver Stars and Seattle Majestics. Brown is listed as an offensive lineman on the team’s overall roster.
An estimated 4,000 women in the United States play tackle football in organized leagues, which include the 8-team United States Women’s Football League (USWFL) and the 20-team Women’s National Football Conference (WNFC), founded in 2018 in partnership with Adidas’ ‘she breaks barriers’ campaign.
“This is my first year playing but my experience so far has been remarkable,” said Brown. “Tackle football is mentally and physically a tough sport but so rewarding. I have never been a part of such a closeknit team that values hard work, dedication and teamwork as much as the Utah Falconz. It is truly an honor to be able to play with such an amazing team.”
Growing up in Christiansburg, she never had the chance to play tackle football. During her junior and senior year of high school she practiced and played during the Powderpuff game hosted by Christiansburg High School. Her brother, Brody Hensel, currently plays for the Auburn Eagles.
“Growing up I always loved watching football and going to football games. I always looked forward to Saturdays because that meant watching college football with my family. When I got the chance to play in the powderpuff game, I was hooked,” she said.
Right now, she said, the sky is the limit. “I plan to continue playing with the Utah Falconz. With the WNFC continually expanding it’s really exciting to think about what the future holds,” Brown concluded.
