The Washington Commanders are betting big on flag football. The team announced Monday it would donate $1 million to 127 girls flag football programs around the Washington area.
The NFL franchise said it will support the programs in the District, Maryland and Virginia for the next two years, offering custom uniforms, flags, footballs and instructional materials.
“Growing the game of football at all levels remains a top priority for our organization – with a strong emphasis on supporting the growth of girls flag football,” Commanders President Mark Clouse said.
The 127 teams include 25 from the District, 51 from Virginia and 51 from Maryland.
“As the sport continues to gain momentum across the country, we’re proud to deepen our investment in the DMV region by delivering a first-class experience for everyone involved — from athletes and coaches to administrators and fans,” Mr. Clouse said.
The NFL has deepened its connections with flag football in recent years as the sport prepares for its Olympic debut in 2028. The league announced in the spring that it would allow players to represent their countries in flag football during the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
According to the NFL, more than 2.4 million children across the country play flag football.
“We want fans to know that flag presents a real, accessible pathway to participation in American football, including and especially in underserved regions,” Troy Vincent Sr., the league’s executive vice president of football operations, said on the NFL’s website. “We want to empower more women, raise up communities and change lives through the unique life-transferable values of American football.”
Each of the league’s 32 teams has embraced flag football programs for children in recent years. Those relationships aren’t going away, according to Commanders officials.
“We believe in the power of sports to transform the lives of youth,” Mr. Clouse said. “We will continue to work tirelessly alongside all 127 programs in the effort to amplify girls flag football in D.C., Virginia and Maryland.”
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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