The Houston Texans are rewriting the playbook for young athletes in Texas — and Heights High School is helping lead the charge. What started as a bold initiative in 2023 to create the state’s first Girls Flag Football League has exploded into a fast-growing movement that’s giving young female athletes opportunities once thought impossible. With championship titles, college pathways, and even the 2028 Olympics on the horizon, Heights High’s team has become a shining example of how passion, perseverance, and community support are transforming the game.
The mission of the Houston Texans Foundation is to leverage the power of football to strengthen the community, support youth development, and break down barriers to fundamental resources. One of the most inspiring and successful initiatives began in 2023 when the organization’s first Girls Flag League was established in Texas. Believing that every girl should have a chance to get in the game, the league provides unequaled opportunities for young female athletes with a love and passion for the sport to compete in what has been primarily considered a male-dominated arena.
Heights HS proudly displays their 2025 Championship trophy. (Photo by Stephanie Shirley)
The program is ever-evolving and expanding, embodying every tenet of the foundation’s mission statement. And the Heights High School Girls Flag team is proudly sharing in those accomplishments.
Brett Stewart, Director of Youth Football Development with the Texans, has been intimately involved with the initiative.
“We want to encourage participation at all levels, but our primary focus is to make Girls Flag Football a UIL-sanctioned sport,” he said. “From an approach and strategy standpoint, we are focusing on the high school scholastic space. The sanctioning effort is statewide. We want to emphasize that participation isn’t just recognized here in Houston where there’s an NFL team. Our league is growing throughout the state; including our pilot in Austin, our league in El Paso, and planned expansion into San Antonio. The reason sanctioning is important is that we’re trying to develop a pathway for girls to play far beyond high school. More importantly, now there’ll be collegiate scholarship opportunities attached. Flag is in at least 65 colleges that offer it as a varsity sport.”
Beyond collegiate play, he also confirmed that it’s making its debut in the 2028 Olympics in L.A. When asked why UIL sanctioning has taken time, Stewart explained, “The decision is contingent on demonstrating grassroots participation. Each state is its own governing body with regard to sanctioning. Currently, there are over 50 participating schools in the greater Houston area and a projected 100 statewide planned for 2026.”
With that level of participation, sanctioning approval appears increasingly likely.
Removing Financial Barriers
When asked whether the league posed financial concerns for participating schools or athletes, Stewart offered an encouraging response.
“The beauty of this is what we’ve been able to accomplish with the support of the McNairs and the foundation,” he said. “We have alleviated any and all financial barriers to schools and athletes. We are able to provide all of the uniforms, supplies, and equipment needed to participate. We give them everything they need in order to play successfully; all the way down to protective headgear, mouthpieces, and necessary equipment.”
While the Houston Texans Foundation provides financial support, participating campuses retain full control over program development and management. Each school selects its own coach, while the foundation partners with districts, athletic directors, and campuses to offer resources and guidance.
“Some are existing football coaches. Some of them coach other sports. Ultimately, it’s whoever the school deems as the best fit and that individual drives the process,” Stewart explained. “The foundation is leading the charge, but it’s important to give the schools the freedom to select the right person to run point on the program, because ultimately we want this to be sustainable.”
That also applies to participant selection. There are no foundation-dictated mandates regarding recruitment, academic requirements, or athletic experience — that autonomy is delegated to each campus.
“We are supporting up to 25 girls per campus,” Stewart said. “It’s seven-on-seven Flag, and we want to give as many girls that want to play the opportunity and encouragement to participate.”
A Winning First Season
Coach DeVincent Idlebird may be new to Heights High School’s flag football program, but he’s no stranger to coaching or the campus. With nearly 25 years of experience at Heights, he also coaches the boys’ football receivers and serves as head coach for the girls’ soccer team.
When the Houston Texans began partnering with HISD, the potential and opportunities appeared limitless. When asked how and why this coaching opportunity came about, Idlebird said, “In all candor, we had just come off of a tough soccer season, and this was an incredible way to recharge. It was a unique ground-floor opportunity to take on something new and positive. I knew interest in the league was spreading quickly and felt like this would be a great chance for me to do something meaningful for some of our young ladies who probably didn’t realize they had the talent or opportunity to do it. We accepted the challenge, and the rest is history.”
Heights HS coach DeVincent Idlebird receiving the 2025 Coach of the Year award after his first Flag season. (Photo courtesy of the Houston Texans)
Currently, the program consists of a six-week season beginning in April, though that will likely change with sanctioning and program growth. Many of Idlebird’s athletes participate in other sports as well.
“There are a lot of girls excited about this here on our campus and many more across the district, especially after the success of our first season,” he said. “The Houston Texans have done an amazing job for all of us, with publicity and support.”
2025 was Heights H.S.’s first full season, and they not only came away with the 2025 Championship Title, but Idlebird was honored with the Houston Texans Flag Coach of the Year Award. He and his assistant, Coach Viscarra, trained and coached with the same procedural tactics and strategies used for all competitive sports.
“The logistics are different without tackling, but the coaching process is the same,” Idlebird said. “They are athletes playing football. It’s never qualified by saying, ‘This is just Flag.’”
Heights HS Flag Football team athletes are role models, excelling both on and off the field. Left to right: Victoria Cruz, Emma Syphard, and Brianna Gibson. (Photo by Stephanie Shirley)
Players Leading On and Off the Field
Idlebird praised his team for their dedication both on and off the field. Three standout juniors joined him for the interview with The Leader, each excelling as athletes and students and looking forward to another season while awaiting UIL sanctioning.
Brianna Gibson, who also plays soccer, shared that she had played flag football when she was younger. “I’d never had an opportunity like this, and I’m excited about the possibilities of collegiate play and beyond,” she said.
For Victoria Cruz, this season marked her first experience with flag football, and she’s already passionate about the program. “I think this will provide so many opportunities, especially considering this is a sport that we never had a chance to play competitively,” Cruz said. “It’s already opening doors, and the path to continue in college is huge.”
Emma Syphard, who also plays volleyball, said the program has been especially meaningful for her. “I’ve missed the dynamics of outdoor sports,” she explained. “Being given the opportunity to play and the chance to grow is so special.”
For more information on the foundation, program, and campus involvement, email foundation@houstontexans.com.