female New York Jets running back flew by the Houston Texans' defense as Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers members frolicked on the sidelines behind Oshkosh's 20th Avenue YMCA.
NFL Flag Football, launched in 1996 and made available for Oshkosh kids last year, gave children the opportunity to be like their athletic heroes Saturday, minus slobberknocking hits and large paychecks.
The seven-week league is for kindergartners through seventh-graders, and three coaches oversee 12 youngsters during a 30-minute pregame practice and 45-minute game. YMCA sports director Paul Trebiatowski oversees the whole operation.
Trebiatowski said the fall football league is hugely successful with 900 kids split between flag and tackle football. The current flag football league has grown to 350, 10 of which are girls. Last year, 167 kids donned NFL jerseys for the first time.
"Right now, it is a fun sport girls can come out and play," Trebiatowski said. "It is a non-contact league, so they do not have to worry about blocking, hitting or touching the boys. They just come out and have a good time. Some of the girls out here are really good."
Trebiatowski said parents sometimes get riled up during the tackle games. However, since NFL Flag Football focuses on playing everyone and teaching every position to kids, the event is relaxing and educational.
