NEWS ANNOUNCEMENTS

'An incredible experience' | Buffalo Bills host annual Modified Girls Flag Football Kickoff with appearances by two Bills players

Apr 21, 2026 at 02:19 PM

Youth Football Coordinator

Modified Girls Flag Football Kickoff, April 18, 2026 at the Kaleida Health Performance Center.

On April 18 and April 19, the Buffalo Bills hosted the annual Modified Girls Flag Football Kickoff inside the Kaleida Health Performance Center in partnership with the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation and Buffalo Bills Foundation.

Nearly 40 teams from Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse attended the event, which consisted of skills and drills, scrimmage sessions and interactive games and photo opportunities for the players and coaches. DT DeWayne Carter, DE Javon Solomon and Billy Buffalo were in attendance throughout the weekend to support the teams and wish them luck in their upcoming season.

"Words cannot describe what it means to be at this facility for the Modified Flag Football Kickoff as a first-year team," Orchard Park Modified Flag Football head coach Mike Cieslik said. "The effort the Buffalo Bills put in to get us here, support us with resources and encourage the girls and the pursuit of their dreams; it's just an incredible experience."

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."

Throughout Western and Central New York, 55 schools offer a modified girls flag football team as the growth of flag football continues to catch fire locally and nationally.

"Seeing my girls from modified flag football play at the high school level brings me so much joy," Clary Modified Flag Football Head Coach Andres Miranda said. "They are scoring touchdowns, representing their team in such a great way and just continuing to get better. Getting to see them shine is the best part for me."

At the 2026 NCAA Convention, flag football was added to the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program. This means it is a step closer to becoming a sanctioned sport – one officially recognized, governed and regulated by the NCAA – which will provide the opportunity to play in college to thousands of student-athletes.

This explosion of participation and passion for girls and women's flag football also coincides with the 2028 Olympics, which will include men's and women's flag for the first time.

In the Community | 2026 Modified Flag Football Kickoff

On April 18th and April 19th, the Buffalo Bills in partnership with the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation and Buffalo Bills Foundation, hosted the annual Modified Girls Flag Football Kickoff inside the Kaleida Health Performance Center. Nearly 40 teams from Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse were invited to participate in the event which consisted of skills & drills and scrimmage sessions. DeWayne Carter, Javon Solomon and Billy Buffalo were in attendance throughout the weekend to support the girls and wish them luck on their upcoming seasons!