Youth Football

Through our grant programs and partnerships, hundreds of thousands of youth have been given the opportunity to learn the game of football, get physically fit, and stay involved in productive after-school activities with adult mentors. The programs supported by the NFL Foundation also have provided youth football participants with safe and accessible places to play, as well as programs and initiatives that address the importance of proper coaching, health, safety and wellness, academic and life skills development & character education programs.

GIRLS FLAG

The NFL and its 32 clubs have been working with schools nationwide to integrate flag football into the physical education curriculum and have collaborated with the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) and individual state associations to launch girls’ flag football as a sanctioned varsity high school sport. Nine states—Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Illinois, Florida, Georgia, Nevada and New York—are currently sanctioned, with three states set to vote this year.

The NFHS reported 20,000+ female athletes and 900+ teams participating in flag football in the 2023-2024 school year. NFL FLAG has helped to contribute to this growth with more than 1,600 teams serving more than 620,000 youth athletes (ages 4-17) in all 50 states. Behind the increase are NFL FLAG’s strategic campaigns and partnerships to bring flag football to thousands of schools, communities and families nationwide.

USA FOOTBALL FIRST DOWN

First Down is a fun and free introduction to football for kids and their parents. Young athletes get active and learn the basics like running, jumping, passing and catching. Clinics are hosted by NFL players and USA Football provides the programming that is based on the Football Development Model. Over 170 First Down Clinics were hosted in 2023.

NFL FOUNDATION CAMP GRANT

Each year, the NFL Foundation supports current and former NFL players and coaches who organize and host free, non-contact youth football camps during the summer. The program recognizes NFL players and coaches who give back to communities in their hometowns or club markets and offer young athletes the opportunity to play in a healthy and fun environment. As part of summer camp season festivities, current players, NFL Legends and coaches hosted free, non-contact youth football camps for children across the country. Camps were open to boys and girls ages 5-18.

NFL FOUNDATION GRANTS

NFL club foundations also receive grants from the NFL Foundation to help provide NFL PLAY 60 programs in their communities, as well as programs and events that support athletic trainers, field refurbishments, and various other youth football needs.