Over the weekend, in partnership with Section VI, Section V, the NYSPHSAA, NFL Flag/RCX, and UBMD Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, the Buffalo Bills celebrated the first official season of High School Girls Flag Football in the Western New York Community at their annual HS Girls Flag Football celebration event.

Between Saturday, April 22 and Sunday, April 23, over 1,000 girls represented 44 teams from Section V and Section VI at the ADPRO Sports Training Center. The turnout for this year's event increased by about 20 schools from last year, which speaks to the excitement surrounding the recent development in the world of girls flag football.

"The growth of this initiative in Western New York and throughout the state of New York has been incredible," said Preston Teague, Buffalo Bills Sr. Director of Youth Football and Programs. "I am so proud of the players, coaches, and administrators in our community that lead the charge to make this opportunity a reality for local student athletes."

On behalf of NFL Flag, Former Bills coach and NFL Flag Ambassador Phoebe Schecter and NFL Flag National Tournament Director Matt Reimel came to town to help host the event. The two facilitated instructional flag football drills and practice scrimmages with the participating teams.

Bills S Micah Hyde, CB Kaiir Elam, RB Damien Harris, CB Siran Neal, WR Trent Sherfield, and DT Brandin Bryant joined in on the celebration too. The players provided words of encouragement, participated in team pictures, and wished the teams good luck on their first historical season.

"There are over 100 teams throughout New York State participating in the inaugural season of High School Girls Flag Football, and in 2024 one team will earn the title of the first ever State Champion," Teague said. "The success and rapid growth of this initiative wouldn't have been possible without the support of our colleagues at the Jets and Giants as well as the State and local athletic associations, NFL Flag/RCX Sports, Nike, and the NFL Foundation. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for the sport in New York and throughout the country."

Looking ahead to their first season, there will be 42 teams competing and five schools that are piloting between Section V and Section VI.  In support of the local schools, the Buffalo Bills provided $60,000 worth of grant funding to 20 schools participating in Girls Flag for the first year.  In addition, all of the schools received flag football belts, footballs, and field equipment from the Bills, NFL Flag and USA Football.