Chiefs surprise KCK Schools girls’ teams with flag football equipment

[4th and Long]

Chiefs surprise KCK Schools girls’ teams with flag football equipment

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The Kansas City Chiefs surprised Kansas City, Kansas Schools with all the equipment they could ever need for their first girls’ flag football season.

The event featured former Chiefs Gary Stills and Tim Barnett, and even the KC Wolf himself. There were also some very talented female athletes breaking barriers.

“It’s groundbreaking. We’re making history out here,” Kansas City Chiefs Youth Marketing Manager Sheila Sickau said.

All five Kansas City, Kansas schools were on the same field Friday for the first-ever district-wide event for girls’ flag football. They’ll join Osawatamie (which announced a suspension of its boy’s football program the same day because of a lack of players), Wellsville, Olathe East and Gardner.

“I think it’s finally catching up to the times of giving girls an opportunity to play football in a safe spot. A lot of the girls, before flag football took off, the only option was co-ed tackle,” Sickau said.

College athletes, including those from four-time defending national champion Ottawa University, led the girls through a series of drills to get ready for the six-week season ahead. Many have little experience, with Sumner Academy being the only KCK school to have a team last year.

“It’s just a fun way for the girls to get active. Say they don’t play volleyball, cross country; they aren’t just sitting around all day. They get to come play football,” veteran Sumner player Rey-Huna Haywood said.

The Kansas City Chiefs were on hand to hand out footballs and flag belts. Nike provides the jerseys through a $100,000 grant.

They hope to have 24 schools in the near future — the number needed to make girls flag football a fully sanctioned sport in Kansas.

“Once it is in schools, the girls are out there, they are ready to play, they are ready for the opportunity. Our tagline is, ‘take what’s yours.’ They truly are ready to take it,” Sickau said.

“You should always try new things whether you like it or not. I think you would have fun if you come out here and play,” Ariana George said.

Six weeks of league play begins Sept. 14, and in 2028, flag football will become an Olympic sport.

https://fox4kc.com/sports/chiefs-sur...all-equipment/

[mlyonsd]

Nice.

[Womble]

Originally Posted by 4th and Long

The event featured former Chiefs Gary Stills and Tim Barnett, and even the KC Wolf himself

Hopefully there were no banks in the area.

[displacedinMN]

oh KCK.

I do miss Winchell's on Parallel Parkway