EVERETT, JAN. 8: The Seattle Seahawks Community Engagement team ‘took over’ Everett Memorial Stadium yesterday to show their support for girls’ flag football in western Washington.
This is the second year the Engagement team has selected girls’ flag football to spotlight as part of their effort to support and amplify the growing sport.
Girls’ flag football is the newest varsity sport at Everett Public Schools (EPS) after being sanctioned by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) last year. It is offered at all three Everett high schools.
EPS athletic director Dani Mundell said that the interest in girls’ flag football this season exceeded expectations, and the program will continue next season.
“Because we have so many girls that have turned out we’ve had to bring on more coaches to have more teams. So, Jackson High School has three teams, Everett High School has three teams, and then Cascade has two,” Mundell said.
A typical football field is halved, allowing four teams to play at once. Games typically run 45 minutes including halftime.
“No one’s really played it before, so we’re all learning together. And I think it’s a great experience for us to, you know, just to grow together, learn the sport and, build teamwork and friendships along the way,” Cat Brown, Jackson sophomore athlete, said
On the field Wednesday night were Jackson, Squalicum, Monroe and Ferndale high schools. Players got to meet former professional football player Garry Gilliam, who caught a touchdown pass off a fake field goal during the NFC Championship Game against the Green Bay Packers in 2015.
Players received Seahawks-themed merchandise, participated in pregame activities and met with Gilliam. Also in attendance was Seahawks mascot Blitz, who spread joy and excitement all across the field before the games.
The winning coaches of the first game were awarded the Coach of the Game, which included a $1,000 financial donation to the program.
In 2023, about 500,000 girls ages 6-17 played flag football – a 63% increase since 2019. Flag football will also be added as an Olympic sport for men and women at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Mundell said that athletic directors who support flag football are working to get more schools within the county to join the Wesco league. To fill game schedules, teams in the Wesco league have been playing against the Northwest Conference.
Since committing more than $250,000 to the sport in 2021, the Seahawks have helped 62 Washington high schools’ field a girl’s flag football team.
For Mundell, the energy of flag football is different than any other sport.
“I wish I could describe it to you. I’ve been to every sporting event you can possibly imagine in high school sports, and there’s just something different about flag football in terms of its energy, and it’s hard to describe. Just come and see it,” Mundell said.
