The Atlanta Falcons continue to encourage the growth of flag football in Georgia and Monday renewed its commitment to the sport, as well as to enhance the safety of the boy’s game.
The Falcons, in partnership with the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, will issue unspecified grants for schools to begin a flag program or enhance their existing program in 2025.
The team, in partnership with the NFL Foundation, also agreed to give 50 Guardian Caps to football programs in Georgia.
The interest form to receive a grant application will be distributed to Georgia high schools on Jan. 6.
The Falcons have been at the forefront of growing flag football in Georgia over the last six years. Participation grew from modest beginnings in Gwinnett County, where 19 teams participated in the pilot program, to this year when more than 270 schools and 7,000 girls participated.
“The Falcons are awesome,” said Southeast Bulloch coach Marci Cochran, whose team won its fourth straight state championship on Monday. “The Falcons helped us start our program. They gave us two grants back in the day to start and they really support us.
“They’re just so good. I can call them up at any time and they’re going to help us out with whatever I need. I just appreciate the efforts they’ve taken to make this possible for our girls.”
Guardian Caps are soft-shell helmet covers designed to reduce the impact of collisions. The GHSA said that 13 percent of its football teams currently use the covers.
“We are incredibly grateful for the partnership we have with the Atlanta Falcons and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation,” said Tim Scott, the GHSA’s executive director. “The success and growth of flag football in the Georgia High School Association would not be possible without the support we receive from these outstanding organizations.
“Thanks to their generosity, our teams now have the opportunity to be equipped with Guardian Caps, and our schools can both start and strengthen their Flag Football programs. This continued collaboration enables us to provide the best possible experience for our student-athletes in Georgia.”
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