NFL FLAG Football with Mad Dog Sports

from MetroSports Magazine Sept-Oct 2022 cvr2

Hitting Hard for Autism

NFL FLAG Youth Football with Mad Dog Sports

by Warren Rosenberg

The New York Jets started the 2022 season on a 5-0 undefeated run as did the San Diego Chiefs. The Philadelphia Eagles had put together a 4-1 record with the Baltimore Ravens and Denver Broncos each managing three wins against two losses as the season opened. Yes, we’re talking about this season’s NFL team records but not the professional NFL teams. These are the records of teams that play in the ten team Mad Dog Sports League of NFL FLAG football based in Westchester County.

Mad Dog Flag Football is powered by NFL FLAG which is backed by the National Football League. It is a non-contact, flag football program that welcomes both boys and girls in grades 1 through 8. The Mad Dog Flag Football league creates a welcoming community for young athletes that teaches leadership, sportsmanship, and self-confidence on and off the field. The mission of Mad Dog Sports is to grow and develop young athletes in a fun, safe, friendly, and competitive environment. This year the league has about 100 players across its three divisions, 1st and 2nd grade, 3rd and 4th grade, and 5th through 8th grade with all teams competing each Saturday on the field at Alexander Hamilton Jr/Sr High School on Elmsford. Players competing in the league come from across the County and represent the municipalities of Elmsford, Greenburgh, Ardsley, White Plains, Irvington, Tarrytown, Yon-

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kers, Bronx, Hastings, Dobbs Ferry, New Rochelle, Ossining, and Hartsdale. more than a half million young people are involved in NFL FLAG programs.

The season will conclude in early November.This year’s Mad Dog season runs from September 10th through November 12th with the regular season concluding on October 29th and the playoffs beginning the weekend of November 5th.

The NFL FLAG football program got its start back in the 1990’s when the National Football League launched its global health and wellness initiative called Play Football. This was followed shortly after by the NFL’s youth camp program brining youth flag football to the New England Patriot’s Gillette Stadium. After spreading across the state of Massachusetts, the program took off nation-wide. Today, Because of the success of the current Fall program, Mad Dog Flag Football is looking considering expanding to include a Spring league and developing some travel teams which will compete in NFL Flag regional tournaments although no firm decisions have yet been reached. For more information about registering with the league and about upcoming events, please reach out to Mad Dog Sports at:

https://www.maddognflflag.com/contact.html

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