Lyric noted how the teammates joined forces after first playing other sports.
“I love sports and feel like it’s a great, diverse sport, that if you play any other sport, it just translates,” Lyric said. “I really enjoyed my experience with playing flag football.”
And while the Vikings and Minnesotans plan to continue advancing girls flag football, this experience is presenting team member Maggie Donovan with an enhanced connection to her past.
Her grandfather Fred Zamberletti served as the Vikings original athletic trainer, beginning his remarkable run in the franchise’s 1961 inaugural season. The Vikings Ring of Honor member passed away in 2018 at age 86, but Zamberletti’s legacy with the organization continues to be felt.
The training room at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center is named in his honor, and Zamberletti was presented with an Award of Excellence by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2022.
“It’s been really surreal, really great, because I’ve always wanted to be closer to where my grandpa used to work, and I know he loved it so much here,” Donovan said. “It’s amazing to be a part of this and have that legacy.
“When I heard about this, it was a no-brainer that I wanted to do this because it’s so great,” she added. “I want to feel like I’m honoring him in some way by doing this, and I know he would have loved it, and I know he’s looking on.”
Donovan began playing flag football when she began middle school.
“It’s been so much fun. I love sports and being active, and the one thing I loved about playing flag football with these girls and my other teammates, it’s such a supporting and fun environment,” Donovan said. “Nobody is there to make you feel bad. It’s a fun game and you can be competitive and be yourself.”
