With Monday’s announcement, New Jersey now becomes the 21st state in the country to declare girls’ flag football a recognized sport.
“The rise of women’s soccer in New Jersey reflects strong partnerships, and we are grateful to the many partners who have supported student-athletes on this journey,” NJSIAA Executive Director Colleen E. Maguire said in a statement. “The Football League, including the Philadelphia Eagles, has been instrumental in raising awareness and creating opportunities since its inception, and that continued commitment has helped build the solid foundation we see today.”
Since 2023, the Eagles have partnered with the Giants and Jets to promote youth flag football for girls in the state of New Jersey through education, participation, funding and equipment distribution.
This is not the first time the Eagles have made their mark on the game of flag football. In 2024, the Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers aided in the sanctioning of girls’ high school soccer in the state of Pennsylvania.
It has been a trend within the NFL to help promote the game of flag football.
In 2024, the Arizona Cardinals became the first NFL team to broadcast girls’ high school football. The Jets and the Eastern College Athletic Conference teamed up to launch the largest women’s college soccer league in the country, which began in February.
Most recently in March, the NFL announced its partnership with TMRW Sports to develop and operate a professional flag football league for women and men.