Fun is certainly being had by young athletes of all ages – boys and girls. And one of the emerging areas in youth football in recent years is the growth in popularity and participation in girls flag football. The sport is growing in popularity nationwide, and the Steelers are helping to grow it in Western Pennsylvania.

The Steelers have put their support behind a Girls Flag Football League in Pittsburgh, hosting events at the high school level throughout the year and working with them all season and the number of schools participating is growing each year. The league grew from 6 high schools participating in 2022, up to 17 in 2023 and 36 in 2024. This season finished with a flourish with a championship game in Pittsburgh with Hall of Fame safety Troy Polamalu and former defensive back Will Allen presenting trophies and interacting with the teams.

There were also teams from the Pittsburgh area taking part in NFL Flag Championships in July at the Hall of Fame Village in Canton, Ohio.

“Flag is growing tremendously,” said Lofton. “I think more girls are getting involved and wanting to play the game of football. The popularity of girl’s flag football is growing at a tremendous rate. We hope to keep it growing even more at the middle and elementary school level as well. It’s definitely encouraging. We want to help give the girls an opportunity as well.”

One aspect that makes all camps stand out is the participation from current and former players, who bring their vast knowledge and passion to the camps. In all, over a dozen current and former Steelers lent their time and expertise to the camps in the Pittsburgh area in 2024.

“The best part is the guys want to be there,” said Lofton. “We don’t have to ask. They automatically volunteer to do it.

“This year we had some of the rookies come out to the camp and take part. These guys have been in the kid’s shoes. They know what it’s like to be a kid at a camp. To be able to see, touch and experience what it’s like to hang out with current Steelers players is special. That’s what being a Steelers player is about. It’s not just about the game of football. It’s about giving back to the community as well. It truly goes a long way. Anytime you have a player available at a youth football camp, it’s icing on the cake for the kids.”