Donovan Jackson doesn’t exactly recall how he first learned football growing up in Texas, but one thing is certain—he didn’t have a tool like the bean bag toss game he recently played with a group of 1st and 2nd graders. "It’s such a cool way to help kids understand football," Jackson said during his recent visit to Barrington Elementary in Upper Arlington. "I wish I had something like this when I was their age."
Jackson, a standout offensive guard at Ohio State, was at the school to introduce the students to Future Fans, a Columbus-based startup that’s making football fun and accessible for young children. The company was founded by Michael Gold and Mike Schroder, two dads on a mission to rethink how kids learn about sports. For Schroder, the inspiration came from a personal challenge—explaining football to his then 5-year-old daughter during the Cincinnati Bengals' Super Bowl run a couple of years ago.
“I realized that trying to explain football to a little kid was incredibly difficult,” Schroder said. “So, we set off to reimagine how to introduce a young kid to a sport in a way that makes sense to them.”
That idea evolved into Future Fans Football, a product designed to teach kids as young as four the basics of the game through engaging, hands-on activities. One of the standout features is the bean bag toss game, which introduces the concept of “downs” in football through four tries to hit a target. The activities are paired with a storybook, creating a fun, interactive experience between adults and children. It’s a perfect way to build a connection with the sport while spending quality time together.
In addition to the home version of their product, Future Fans has developed a “Community Edition” that players like Jackson can use when visiting schools. During his recent visit to Barrington Elementary, Jackson used the Community Edition to bring football to life for a room full of excited young students.
"Seeing their faces light up when they threw the bag in the target and then realized what a 'down' was—it’s amazing how quickly they catch on," Jackson said. "It’s fun for them, but you can tell they’re learning, too."
As Future Fans continues to grow, Jackson’s involvement is helping the brand make waves in the Columbus community and beyond. With more players and schools getting involved, the startup is on a mission to help little kids become big fans.
Unlock a lifetime of memories around the Buckeyes with the little ones in your life. Visit FutureFans.com and use the code BUCKEYES for 10% off through September 21, or stop by any of the three Learning Express locations in Columbus.
