Their reactions said it all.

Members of the Minnesota State Champion Mahtomedi girls flag football team expressed surprise and excitement upon the reveal of a brand-new display at the Vikings Museum.

Designed as a mural in the museum lobby, the exhibition features an ode to Minnesota's inaugural girls high school flag football league and highlights the 2025 Mahtomedi team, which last month defeated La Crescent-Hokah for the title.

"This is the cherry on top," Mahtomedi Athletic Director Aaron Forsythe said with a smile.

"The opportunity for flag football created a lot of buzz and energy and excitement for our community, and we had more than 50 girls come out," Forsythe explained. "We connected with some kids who weren't previously athletes in our building, and we had a lot of multisport athletes, as well. It was a great opportunity, and we're looking forward to it continuing to grow."

The Vikings welcomed the Zephyrs and their family members to training camp Monday for the presentation, before which they had the opportunity to meet and hear from USA Football DB/WR Maci Joncich.

Joncich, who began playing flag football at age 6 on all-boys teams, starred at Coronado High School (Las Vegas) and was a three-time All-Star honoree. She became the youngest member of the 2024 U.S. National Team at 18 years old.

Joncich congratulated the Zephyrs on their season success and shared with them her experiences, which recently included a trip to Los Angeles to scrimmage against women's flag teams from Japan, Israel, Germany and Australia. In September, Team USA will travel to Panama for the 2025 Americas Flag Continental Championship.

"It's huge to have NFL teams backing girls flag football," Joncich said. "It gives these girls something to work for. They can look and say, 'That's so cool, the Vikings are sponsoring this event. The Raiders are sponsoring this tournament.' It makes a huge difference in our sport."

Vikings Vice President of Social Impact Brett Taber and Coordinator of Youth & High School Football Emily Weinberg addressed the young women and emphasized the impact they've made on a league that continues to expand.

"You are all true trailblazers, with the sport making an impact not only statewide but across the region and nation," Weinberg said. "You all should be very proud of the way you carry yourselves, both on the field and off the field, so we're really excited to be able to enshrine this past season here."

Taber thanked the players, families and school administrators for their efforts in executing a historical season.

"This is a truly special moment and a great occasion that marks the legacy of girls flag football in Minnesota. It's here to stay, and it's here to grow," Taber said. "We're thankful to have Maci from the United States women's national team, representing what flag football can become, especially with the Olympics coming up in 2028, and I hope all of you players and athletes take that as inspiration and opportunity.

"We at the Minnesota Vikings are honored to be able to provide this opportunity for flag football and to be able to create these opportunities for young women to grow in sports," Taber later added.