Last year, 21 schools were selected across Section VI (Buffalo), Section V (Rochester) and Section III (Syracuse) as a part of a three-year grant program to receive funding and equipment to launch their modified flag football teams, in partnership with the Buffalo Bills Foundation and the Ralph C Wilson Foundation. This season, 32 schools were selected to receive support.
“Last year was a lot of learning the game, the plays, the logistics,” Our Lady of Mercy Modified Flag Football Head Coach Megan D’Angelo explained. “This year is a complete 360. They are more confident, motivated, excited, working harder and coming up with their own plays. They are understanding the game and excited to continue to grow.
“The Buffalo Bills Modified Flag Football Kickoff is fantastic. Especially because there haven’t been opportunities like this for females in the sports world when it comes to football. This is a very empowering moment where they can come to a facility where actual NFL players practice and they get to envision a future where they play football at a high level as well.”