With the help of the Philadelphia Eagles, girls’ flag football is growing in popularity and getting closer to being sanctioned by the PIAA, writes Olivia Reiner for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

In 2022, the Birds established their girls’ flag football league with 16 participating teams from the Philadelphia Public and Catholic Leagues.

Three seasons into the initiative, there are around 1,600 players on 65 teams at eastern Pennsylvania schools. Currently, the the state boasts over 100 teams and is likely to see continued growth considering that the PIAA board of directors approved a second reading on a bill to sanction girls’ flag football in July.

The involvement of the Eagles helped establish the sport’s foundation locally. But according to Dan Levy, the youth football and community relations manager for the Eagles, while the team provided them with equipment and the ability to play, it was the players who seized the moment and turned it into something meaningful.

“They’re the ones that are making this game so strong,” said Levy. “They’re the ones that are advocating for themselves. Going to their ADs, finding opportunities, recruiting the other girls.”

Read more about girls’ flag football in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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