Updated: Jan 23, 2020
The National Football League (NFL) invited 22 All-Star players from the Utah Girls Football League to play an exhibition scrimmage during halftime of the Pro Bowl in Orlando, Florida on January 26, 2020. The purpose of the game is to showcase the abilities of girl football players and to demonstrate the growing interest among girls and women in the game of football.
The 22 girls were chosen from the nearly 500 girls in Utah who played football last spring in the UGFL. The players attend 17 different Utah high schools and many serve as their schools’ girls football club presidents. Nearly half of the girls are “legacy” players – these are players who have participated in the all-girls league from the leagues inception in 2015.
The girls will practice at the Real Salt Lake Academy indoor facilities in preparation for the scrimmage. While in Orlando, the girls will attend the AFC and NFC team practices and will visit the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
“What a great opportunity this is for Utah and girls football to showcase talent and the passion for the game. We thank the NFL for allowing these girls to play.” said Brent Gordon, cofounder of the Utah Girls Football League.
To see the full press release from the NFL offices: https://nflcommunications.com/Pages/PEPSI-TAILGATE-AT-PRO-BOWL-TO-HIGHLIGHT-GAMEDAY-FAN-ACTIVITIES-AT-CAMPING-WORLD-STADIUM-.aspx
About the UGFL:
The Utah Girls Football League began play in 2015 as the first girls-only tackle football league in the United States. Participation has grown nearly tenfold since the first season. Ages of participation range from 4th grade to 12th grade. Registration now open for the Spring 2020 season, which begins March 16th. https://www.utahgirlstacklefootball.com/