Gwinnett girls flag football teams to play pre-Super Bowl exhibition

The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation partnered with Gwinnett Schools to bring girls flag football teams to 19 Gwinnett high schools in the fall of 2018. The four teams selected to play in the exhibition will have an opportunity to showcase their skills and the growth of girls flag football participation in Atlanta.

The girls league was an experiment to give high school girls the opportunity to participate in an organized league, spread flag football around the state and establish it as a Georgia High School Association-sanctioned sport — and to give girls one more chance at establishing active lifestyles that have immediate and long-term benefits for academics and their health.

Since Gwinnett County Public Schools piloted the program, interest has grown. Atlanta Public Schools, as well as Cobb, Fulton, Henry, Muscogee and Rockdale counties have inquired about starting programs for the 2019-20 school year. Whether districts will compete against each other hasn’t been worked out yet, but organizers are excited.

“This year exceeded our expectations,” said Chris Millman, vice president of community relations for the Atlanta Falcons. “The enthusiasm from the players, the schools and the fans was overwhelming.”

Gwinnett plans to keep it going strong.

“Our girls are a part of history,” said spokesman Bernard Watson. “They’re the first Georgia girls team to play an exhibition football game tied to the Super Bowl. They’re showing that they are just as capable to play a traditional boys’ sport and excel at it.”