New York Giants, Special Olympics New York Kick Off Unified Flag Football League for Section I of NYSPHSAA High Schools at MetLife Stadium

Six Schools from the Hudson Valley Region to Compete in First Unified Flag Football Season

East Rutherford, NJ – Special Olympics New York student-athletes with and without disabilities from six high schools in the Hudson Valley Region enjoyed the opportunity of a lifetime at a Unified Flag Football clinic led by Giants Legend Eli Manning, along with current players Elijah Garcia and Lil’Jordan Humphrey, at MetLife Stadium this week.

Photos and videos from the clinic can be found at this link.

Greenburgh North Castle, Irvington, Brewster, Hendrick Hudson, Mahopac, and Byram Hills will now compete in the first Unified Flag Football Season for Section I of NYSPHSAA over the next several weeks, with a championship game hosted by one of the schools.

“I think today was a really important day,” said Hadley, a student from Byram Hills. “It’s really shown the importance of community and connection.”

The day began with lunch and refreshments for arriving students, followed by a player meet-and-greet in the local room and team photos. Next, the students enjoyed a variety of fun and educational skills-and-drills, ending with a final farewell. Attending Giants included Super Bowl Champion Eli Manning, wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey, and defensive end Elijah Garcia.

“Our athletes were so excited to learn from the pros ahead of their first Unified Flag Football Season,” said Stacey Hengsterman, President and CEO of Special Olympics NY. “On behalf of our Section I athletes and Unified partners, I’d like to thank the New York Giants for this incredible opportunity they will cherish for a lifetime.”

“Section I was proud to participate in this great event, which provided our Unified athletes the unforgettable experience of stepping on the field at MetLife Stadium,” Section I Executive Director Todd Santabarbara said. “We thank the New York Giants and Special Olympics NY for their continued partnership and for supporting the continued expansion of Unified athletics in Section I.”

In more than 375 Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools across the state, students with and without disabilities play on the same sports teams and take physical education courses together. Students learn inclusive leadership skills and lead campaigns and activities that engage the entire school community to encourage and promote inclusion among their peers.

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