Flag football players in the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools district will have access to new equipment for the district’s inaugural season for girls. Former Kansas City Chiefs players Gary Stills and Tim Barnett were present at a district-wide girls flag football event where athletes and schools were surprised with flag belts and other equipment. Nike provided jerseys through a $100,000 grant, and K.C. Wolf, the Chiefs’ mascot, also made an appearance. The youth marketing manager for the Chiefs, Sheila Sickau, expressed that the growth of girls flag football helps level the playing field for high school athletes, offering girls a safe opportunity to play football rather than co-ed tackle.
During the event, girls participated in drills in preparation for the upcoming six-week flag football season. In 2023, only one KCK school had a girls flag football team, but the district-wide flag football season is set to begin on September 14. Flag football has been gaining popularity in the United States, and the sport is scheduled to be included in the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028. The inclusion of girls flag football in the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools district marks a historic moment, with the support of former NFL players and a significant contribution from Nike to provide necessary equipment.
Sheila Sickau, the Chiefs’ youth marketing manager, described the event as groundbreaking and historic, emphasizing the importance of giving girls the opportunity to play football in a safe environment. Before the rise of flag football, the only option for girls interested in football was co-ed tackle, making flag football a significant advancement in providing more inclusive opportunities for female athletes in high school. Former NFL star Drew Bledsoe also expressed interest in the idea of Olympic flag football, mentioning that he would want Chiefs’ player Tyreek Hill on his team.
The girls who attended the event were able to engage in various drills and activities to enhance their skills and readiness for the upcoming flag football season in the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools district. With support from former NFL players, Nike, and the Chiefs’ mascot, the girls were equipped with necessary gear and resources to participate in the district’s first official girls flag football season. As female participation in flag football continues to grow, the sport is becoming increasingly popular across the country, paving the way for more opportunities for girls to compete and showcase their athletic abilities in a safe and supportive environment.
The high school district’s flag football season is set to begin on September 14, marking the start of a new chapter for female athletes in the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools district. The support and involvement of former NFL players and prominent sports brands like Nike further highlight the significance of this historic moment and the continued growth of girls flag football as a competitive sport. With the upcoming inclusion of flag football in the Summer Olympics in 2028, the sport is expected to gain even more recognition and participation, offering female athletes more avenues to showcase their talents and skills on a larger stage.
