Bucks strengthens support for women's flag football, which has become an Olympic sport

TAMPA — The line for girls inside West Club of Raymond James Stadium stretched the length of the football field on Tuesday as the Bucs hosted the opening game of the 6th Annual Girls Flag Football Preseason Classic.

From Miami to Tallahassee, 19 teams representing 18 counties are participating in the event, a testament to the fastest growing sport in the state and nation.

The tournament will be held Wednesday through Saturday at the Ed Radice Sports Complex in north Tampa. The field includes eight-time state champion Robinson High School.

The Bucs announced Wednesday that the 2024 FHSAA Girls Flag Football State Championship will be held at the Advent Health Training Center in Tampa.

As she surveyed the scene Tuesday, U.S. Women's Flag Team quarterback Vanita Crouch shook her head in amazement.

Now in his 40s and a flag football version of Tom Brady, Crouch can't believe the explosion in participation in the sport, which will be part of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Summer Games.

“It's such an honor to wear the Stars and Stripes, the red, white and blue,” Crouch said. “I remember the feeling of being in their shoes. It might not be flag football, but growing up as a basketball player and going to camp and having those athletes come out and talk to us. It really touches my heart. I hope that moments like this are rewarding for other girls.”

Growing up in Texas, Crouch was surrounded by tackle football, but there really wasn't an opportunity for girls to play tackle football. She played basketball at her SMU, but didn't start playing flag football until after her career with the Mustangs.

“When I started playing flag football, it was just an outlet for me,” Crouch said. “Recreation, exercise, a chance to make friends. It was exciting to play with the boys and beat them. Now to go out on this stage is like, 'What the hell am I doing?' It feels like it. Don't pinch me, I'm going to keep dreaming. ”

This movement has been spearheaded by Bucks owner and president Darcy Glazer Kassewitz, who has promoted opportunities for women both in NFL front offices and on the playing field as a coach.

“We're participating in our sixth Preseason Classic and it's been growing every year. And really, this is the biggest we've ever had and we're so excited. '' Kassewitz said. “We've always believed in the presence of women in sports, and the Buccaneers have always valued that very highly. So we're seeing flag football really grow at this pace and give women the opportunity to compete.” I am really happy that you are giving me this.”

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The opportunity expanded to compete at an international level. Future Olympians may have been among the more than 1,600 high school athletes who gathered Tuesday.

Scott Hallenbeck, executive director of USA Football and vice president of the International Federation of American Football, said the process of creating a national team begins with an evaluation of talent.

There are four USA Football-run tournaments and sanctioned flag football tournaments across the country. Players can also submit testing and demographic information through a digital combine run in partnership with GMTM, a social network connecting athletes, organizations and brands.

Selected players will be invited to the U.S. National Team Trials, where they will be tested in individual, 1-on-1, 5-on-5 drills and scrimmages.

“We're going to take the roster of athletes that we invited, and that roster will be down to 18,” Hallenbeck said. “Then they come back again for training camp. Those 18 become 12, and this year we will fly to Finland with these guys and actually compete in the world championships.”

The U.S. women's team has won the past two world championships, defeating Panama in 2018 and Mexico in 2021. The next competition is scheduled for August in Finland.

The Bucks' support for women's flag football is an extension of their efforts to create opportunities for those who have traditionally been denied. They have always been one of the most comprehensive NFL franchises when it comes to hiring.

They hired two full-time female assistant coaches for the first time. Defensive line assistant Lori Locust (currently with the Titans) and Maral Javadifar, who is in his fifth season with the team and the second director of rehabilitation/performance. Sarah Evans is senior manager of coaching operations and Jacqueline Davidson is vice president of football research.

“We are deeply grateful for all the Glazer family does to advance the development of young women and women in sports,” said Dasha Smith, NFL Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer. Stated. She said: “Just looking out from this room and seeing women in sports really warms my heart. It's pretty incredibly real to me.

“They have a huge role to play, and it starts with these young women being trailblazers. They don't fully understand it yet, but one day they'll look back and realize they're doing this. I think you’re going to understand everything we do for the sport, not just flag football but soccer in general, not just here in Florida but around the world.”

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