Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders and Entertainment Icon Snoop Dogg to Captain first NFL Play Football Celebrity Flag Game
The NFL’s celebration of football at all levels continues at the 2019 Pro Bowl presented by Verizon as youth & high school football participants, coaches and football community will be highlighted throughout the week in Orlando, FL. Pro Bowl Week events will include Play Football Opening Night, the Play Football Skills Showdown, the first NFL Play Football Celebrity Flag Game, the NFL FLAG Championships Powered by USA Football, and the announcement of the 2018 Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year winner.
The following are recognitions of youth and high school football during Pro Bowl week at ESPN Wide World of Sports and Camping World Stadium.
PLAY FOOTBALL OPENING NIGHT
Play Football Opening Night is a youth and high school focused media event for all NFL Flag Championship teams and High School Skills Showdown Athletes on Thursday, January 24 from 6:00-8:00 PM ET at The Arena at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. More than 700 NFL FLAG participants and Play Football High School Skills competitors will have the opportunity to mix and mingle before competition kicks off. Participants will interact with NFL players – current and Legends – and Disney talent. Each NFL FLAG team and High School Skills athlete will participate in interview sessions and various activities. These activities include but are not limited to: designated team interview areas & time slots, photo opportunities, gaming lounge, vertical jump and 40-yard dash, and trophy displays.
PLAY FOOTBALL SKILLS SHOWDOWN
Fifty high school football student-athletes from around the country will have an opportunity to participate in position specific drills, viral challenges, and celebration dance offs during the first-ever Play Football Skills Showdown at Pro Bowl on Friday, January 25 from 12:30-3:30 PM on Field 17 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. NFL Club Coach of the Year winners from each of the 32 markets had a chance to select one player from their team to participate in the Showdown. Remaining spots are for graduating high school seniors from the local Orlando and South Florida region.
PLAY FOOTBALL CELEBRITY FLAG GAME
On Friday, January 25 from 6:00-8:00 PM ET on Field 16 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex NFL Legends, celebrities, influencers, and the youth football community will participate in a friendly, but competitive flag football game during the first annual Play Football Celebrity Flag Game at Pro Bowl. Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders will captain TEAM PRIME and entertainment icon Snoop Dogg will lead TEAM SNOOP. Both Deion Sanders and Snoop Dogg are committed to growing the game of football – Deion having started TRUTH, a youth academic & sports non-profit organization that helps get kids off the streets by bringing them to sports. Founded in 2005, the Snoop Youth Football League is non-profit organization founded to provide the opportunity for inner-city children to participate in youth football and cheer. Each team will compete for a donation to an agreed upon foundation connected to youth or high school football to assist with growing the game of football. Public entry opens at 5:00 PM ET. Seating is limited, and early arrival is suggested.
NFL FLAG CHAMPIONSHIPS AT PRO BOWL
NFL FLAG Championships will be held at Pro Bowl for the third consecutive year as part of the week-long celebration of football across all levels. Over 71 youth flag football teams will compete in the NFL FLAG Championships Powered by USA Football as part of the NFL’s Pro Bowl Week in Orlando.
Championship games for the 9-10 Coed, 11-12 Coed and 13-14 Girls divisions will be played Saturday, January 26 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, starting at 10:00 AM ET. All three games will be streamed live on ESPN3. NFL Pro Bowl players, Legends, and special guests will serve as guest coaches encouraging teams and engaging with fans. The 13-14 Boys championship game will be played Sunday, January 27 at Camping World Stadium during pregame. Kickoff is 1:15 PM ET and can be viewed on ESPN/ABC properties.
Tournament Schedule:
- Pool Play: Friday, January 25; ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex; 10:00 AM ET – 6:30 PM ET; Fields 23-30
- Boys Semifinals: Saturday, January 26; ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex: 9:00 AM ET; Field 25
- 9-10 Coed, 11-12 Coed and 13-14 Girls Championships: Saturday, January 26; ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex; 9:30 AM ET; Field 16
- 13-14 Boys Championships: Sunday, January 27; Pre-game at Pro Bowl; Camping World Stadium
PRO BOWL COMMUNITY DAY
New this year, the NFL will be hosting Pro Bowl Community Day at ESPN Wide World of Sports on Saturday, January 26, from 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. ET. The event will partner Pro Bowl players with youth, local, and national non-profit organizations to support Community Service, Youth Football, Youth Health & Wellness, the Military Community, and Sustainability efforts.
The full list of activities include:
- NFL FLAG Championships for 9-10 coed, 11-12 coed, and 13-14 girls
- Special Olympics Unified Flag Football Game – Field 18
- Play Football Clinics – Field 17
- Packaging USO Military Care Kits* – Visa Center
- Packaging Shelter Comfort Kits* – Visa Center
- Meal Packing for Local Food Bank* – Visa Center
- NFL Green Project* – Field 24
- The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) Activity* – Field 21
- Wounded Warrior Project Flag Football Game* – Field 22
DON SHULA NFL HIGH SCHOOL COACH OF THE YEAR
The Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year award honors an exemplary football coach at the high school level who displays the integrity, achievement, and leadership demonstrated by Coach Shula. Coaches are nominated for the national award by all 32 NFL teams, and the winner is selected by a panel of judges including Tony Dungy, Willie McGinest, Chad Pennington, Rod Woodson and last year’s winner, Robert Garrett.
The Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year will be announced during the 2019 Pro Bowl presented by Verizon at Camping World Stadium on Sunday, January 27 at 3:00 P.M. ET. The two finalists will each receive $15,000 from the NFL Foundation, $10,000 of which will go to their high school’s football program. They will also attend Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta as special guests of the NFL and walk the red carpet at NFL Honors.
A full list of this year’s Don Shula Coach of the Year nominees can be found here.