Future Fans: Teaching Kids Football Through Games and Storybooks

The Genesis of Future Fans

• 💡 Future Fans was co-founded by Mike Schroder, inspired by his desire to share his passion for football with his daughter.
• 🎯 Schroder, a lifelong Bengals fan, realized his daughter was not connecting with the sport despite his efforts during the team's Super Bowl run.
• 🧠 The core idea emerged from reimagining how to teach football concepts in a way that resonates with children, aiming for them to fall in love with the game.

The "Circle Toss" Game

• 🧩 A key component is the "Circle Toss" game, a simple beanbag toss with hoops designed to be fun and engaging for young children.
• 🎯 This game emulates the fundamental rules of football, specifically the four-down system and the concept of touchdowns being worth six points.
• ✅ The game uses numbered bean bags and a series of hoops to make the rules of downs and advancement easy for kids as young as four to understand.

Bridging Games to Football

• 🚀 The storybook component of Future Fans then crosswalks the game mechanics to actual football rules, making the transition intuitive.
• 🧠 The goal is not to force a love for football but to ensure children understand the game, with the hope that appreciation will follow.

Partnerships and Expansion

• 🏈 The Cincinnati Bengals were among the first professional teams to adopt Future Fans, using it in schools to engage young children.
• 🤝 The accessible nature of the game allows players to connect with kids who might not otherwise participate, fostering interest and learning.
• 🌍 The concept has expanded beyond the Bengals to include other teams and sports, with the Indianapolis Colts even using the educational approach to teach fans in Germany.