Haddiyah Bell is a driven and determined athlete making her mark at Montclair State University as a dynamic dual-threat quarterback and defensive back. Her journey into football began with a simple moment of curiosity, but it quickly evolved into a powerful calling. With a sharp football IQ, unwavering work ethic, and a deep love for the game, Haddiyah has become a standout figure in both 7-on-7 and flag football circuits. Whether leading her team on offense or locking down plays on defense, she continues to break barriers and inspire the next generation of athletes with every snap.

What inspired you to start playing football, and how did you get involved with 7-on-7 or Flag Football?
What inspired me to play football was the way I felt alive when playing. I did a lot of extracurricular sports, but this sport had me hooked, to the point I am now going to college for it. I got involved with the sport by my high school coach. We had a powder puff game at my high school one day, and I decided to play. After I played that one game, my then-coach told me I should play during the season for real, and since then, I took off with this sport. It gave me a name.

How has playing in the Elite 7-on-7 or Flag Football program helped shape your identity as a player?
Playing this sport has shaped me in different ways as a player. I learned that it’s different levels to this, and to adapt to it, you have to actually learn this game. I mean yes, it’s football, but it’s FLAG football. We play with half of the field and don’t tackle. It’s different, and I will not say it’s easy to adjust to either. I knew how to play football, but I didn’t learn how to play flag football. Flag football made me humble and more of a listener. More of a visionary too—from learning the field to hurrying up as a QB and changing the play last minute when seeing something.

How do you prepare mentally for big tournaments?
When big tournaments or big games are about to happen for me, I try to rest my mind. I say rest my mind because, as a QB, you have to learn to shut all the noise out and focus on your game. That’s why I think it’s important for your teammates to keep you uplifted than to bring you down. I try to clear my head and let go of everything that’s bothering me before a big game.

What’s your pregame routine or hype music?
My pregame routine is to listen to some music and warm up my arm. Once I know I have a game, I automatically think about my arm and start to stretch it out and throw around a little to get ready.

What’s your mindset when you step onto the field?
My mindset is to stay calm and win this game as best as I could. I don’t want to think about the game too much, but I do want to set my mind on winning.

How do you stay motivated during the off-season and intense training periods?
I stay motivated by thinking about what I want from this sport. I mean that I want to get far. I dream of me going to the Olympics from this. I dream of me being able to give everything to my moms after blowing up from this. I dream of inspiring girls to join. I dream of coaching in the near future, and I dream of being a product of something historical.

Who is your biggest influence on or off the field and why?
My biggest influence is my moms. She gave me everything and more. I mean, she supports me, and she tries to help me get everything I deserve. She wants this great life for me, and I’m going to get it. My other influencers are my cousin and uncle. They passed away, and they are the reason I wear my number seven so proudly. I call myself “lucky number se7en” just because of them. I play because all three of these people are watching me, and I want them to be happy.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned through this program?
Most important thing I learned from flag football is that it doesn’t matter how long you played, it matters how long you trained for this. I saw 12-year-olds smoke 17/18-year-olds in a tournament like it was nothing. This goes to show that if you don’t work, you lose—no matter how long you played.

How do the coaches and mentors in this program impact your development?
The coaches impacted my development by pushing me. I mean, when I first started, I didn’t know how to properly throw a ball, but from me listening and them telling me to keep going made me who I am. I started in 2024 throwing ducks to 2025 throwing for 1,300+ yards. This wouldn’t have happened if my coaches and mentors weren’t there.

What does it mean to you to represent your team in Elite 7-on-7 or Flag Football tournaments?
Representing your team means to me that you are playing like an athlete. An athlete is respectful and not crashing out on the field. An athlete is taking your loss and still having sportsmanship, and an athlete is someone who learns from their mistakes. If you do all this, then you are representing your team to the fullest.

How do you bounce back after a tough loss or mistake?
After a loss, to bounce back for me is to fix the mistakes that made that loss. I work on my mistakes that took part in that game that I lost, and I push forward to win the next one.

What motivates you to keep grinding during the off-season?
My motivation to keep grinding after the season is over is to think about what I want for myself and my team for my next season and how I can dominate.

What’s your dream school or team you’d love to play for one day?
My dream team to play for is the USA, and I hope I can play for the Olympics as well.

What do you do for fun when you’re not playing football?
When I’m not playing football, for fun I just watch Twitch and watch reels of flag football. You can say I’m boring when I’m not playing flag football.

How have your coaches and parents helped you grow as a player and a person, both on and off the field?
My coaches helped me grow as a player by making me more aggressive when playing in the game. I’m the nicest person, but when I’m on the field, my coaches get on me and tell me to attack. Off the field, my mom always reminds me to be humble and stay humble.

How do you handle pressure or adversity during high-stakes games?
During high-stakes games, I try to handle pressure by staying as calm as possible. It’s hard trying to stay calm when you’re in your head a lot, especially during the high-stakes games. This is the reason why I try to keep out my head and try to win the game.

What’s your favorite route to run (or coverage to play) and why?
My favorite route to throw is a GO. I love throwing GO’s because it gives me a different feeling than any other route I’ve thrown.

What are your short-term and long-term football goals?
My short-term goal for flag football is to work on my hips a little bit more and staying out of my head during games. My long-term goal is to make it and inspire other girls to play even when they are scared.

How do you build chemistry and trust with your teammates in such a fast-paced format?
I build chemistry with my teammates by getting to know them beforehand. I try to talk to them about how they would like the ball thrown to them and what they don’t want thrown to them.

What advice would you give to younger players who want to join a program like this?
My advice to younger players is that even if you feel like you are not as good, as long as you keep working and trying, everything will work in your favor. Have fun when you play—don’t play with emotion.

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