Steelers to Host Girls Flag Football Tournament at Heinz Field Sunday

The Pittsburgh Steelers will hold a girls flag football tournament at Heinz Field on Sunday, May 22, the team announced on Thursday.

The inaugural Steelers Girl Flag Football Championship Tournament will conclude the first year of the Steelers’ program aimed to increase girls’ participation in football by providing increased access for high school-aged girls in the Pittsburgh region.

As part of the program, the Steelers hosted a girls flag football jamboree at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex in February and provided uniforms, equipment and funding for participating schools through their youth football program.

“We are excited to provide this opportunity for high schools in Western Pennsylvania,” Steelers President Art Rooney II said in a statement. “Flag Football is an exciting game, and already very popular in community programs, so it is great to provide high school girls with an opportunity to keep playing and represent their high school.”

The program has continued to through the spring, with games held at area high schools.

The throw! The catch! The touchdown!#FemalesInFlag | #PlayFootball🏈 pic.twitter.com/FqsTpitLfE

— Steelers Youth Football (@SteelersYouthFB) May 15, 2022

On Sunday, six area teams of high schoolers from around the area will compete in a single-elimination tournament to crown a champion. The tournament is open to the public, with gates opening at 11 a.m. ahead of the first round of games, which will start at noon. The championship game is expected to start at 2 p.m.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt and former Steelers offensive lineman David DeCasto each supported their program by choosing to give it their $5,000 charitable grants from attending the 2021 NFL Pro Bowl.