Laneah Bryan is US Flag Football Player for the year 2023, 2024 and 2025. She lives in El Paso Texas. She grew up playing every sport but always had a passion for football. Where she lived there wasn’t space for girls to play football, so she focused on basketball. She went on to play D1 college basketball at the University of New Mexico on a full scholarship. After college she got into flag football. Now she has been on the U.S. National Flag Football team for three years and has won two gold medals. She also a business owner. She own a roofing and solar company in El Paso.
Before finding flag football, Bryan was a standout on the hardwood at Franklin High School in her hometown of El Paso, Texas. Bryan averaged 20.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 3.5 steals in her senior season (2013-14) for the Cougars, who won 20 games and won the Region 1-5A title. She was named District 1-5A MVP for her efforts and the year prior earned the El Paso Times’ All-City MVP. She began her high school career at Volcano Vista High School in Albuquerque, N.M., leading the Hawks to the 5A state championship her sophomore season (2011-12).
Bryan went on to earn a basketball scholarship at the University of New Mexico, playing four seasons (2014-18) for the Lobos and seeing action in 121 career games. Bryan says her mom, Sharon, is the biggest influence in her life. Bryan made her first foray into flag football following college, playing in a local league in El Paso.
Football was her first love, but where she lived there weren’t opportunities for girls in football, so she chose basketball which she quickly fell in love with. After that chapter came to an end, she found flag football, and the rest was history. Bryan has only been playing flag football for five years, but she has made the most of her time, first earning a spot with U.S. National Team in 2023 and helping the team to a gold-medal winning performance in the IFAF Americas Continental Championship over Mexico. In that tournament, Bryan helped the U.S. to a perfect 6-0 record, tallying seven interceptions, including one in the gold medal match.
The USA’s men’s and women’s flag football teams both won gold at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland. Held at the Lahti Sport Centre, the event showcased top athletes with Austria and Mexico taking silver in the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively. August 27–30, 2024.
Women Fitness President Ms. Namita Nayyar catches up with Laneah Bryan an exceptionally talented US Flag Football Player here she talks about her fitness routine, her diet, and her success story.
Namita Nayyar:
Where were you born? When did you start playing Flag Football? Later in the sports of Flag Football you propelled your career to the height where you have been at the top of the world as a Flag Football player. Tell us more about your professional journey of exceptional hard work, tenacity, and endurance?
Laneah Bryan:
I was born in Weatherford Texas. I started playing flag football in 2019. My professional journey in flag football has been a dream come true. I played college basketball at the University of New Mexico and after college I just started playing flag football for fun. At the time I never imagined I’d be where I am today. In January of 2023 was when I was able to really get noticed in the flag world. I played in a big tournament in Tampa and that was when I got my invite to the US national team trials that would be March of 2023. So I had a couple months to get ready.
I had already been working with a trainer, but we took it up a notch. Throughout my entire athletic career I’ve never been the fastest, or the tallest, or the most athletic. What has always separated me is discipline and determination. “Discipline is the bridge between goals and desires”. It was separates the good from the great. Staying disciplined and having the mindset of “I will get this done no matter what it takes” will take you further than talent ever will. My career has had its ups and downs just like anyone else. The downs is where we learn and grow to boost us to the ups.
Namita Nayyar:
It is a dream for a Flag Football player to play in the IFAF Flag Football World Championships. You won a Gold medal as part of the US Team at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland, Held at the Lahti Sport Centre, from August 27th–30th, 2024. Tell us more about this spectacular achievement of yours?
Laneah Bryan:
Having the opportunity to play in Finland and represent the United States was an honor. Our team and the culture of the team was by far the best part of this journey. We have created an amazing bond that is so genuine and full of love. We all support and celebrate each other’s success. We really are sisters and that is what means the most to me.
Winning a gold medal feels like the culmination of hard work, sacrifice, and determination. It brings an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and pride, as you realize that all those hours of training and dedication have paid off. There’s a rush of joy and validation, not just for yourself but for everyone who supported you along the way. It’s a moment that symbolizes reaching your peak potential and fulfilling your dreams, leaving a lasting memory that inspires me to keep striving for excellence.
Namita Nayyar:
The Women’s U.S. Flag National Team won gold at the 2023 IFAF Americas Continental Flag Football Championship that was hosted by USA Football. Representing the US Team you won a Gold medal. How does such winning honour being bestowed upon you act as a catalyst in your metriotic rise as a world leading Flag Football player?
Laneah Bryan:
As a group of women competing in a male dominate sport we take a lot of pride in what we do and represent. So getting the opportunity to play in the Charlotte in front of the eyes of a lot of younger girls dreaming and aspiring to play was truly an honor. We hope to set a good example and show these girls that they can do anything they set their mind to.
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