Four Champs Crowned as Jets host NYC Unified Flag Football Playoffs

By Randy Robertson, NYC Regional Storyteller

East Rutherford, NJ – One by one the teams emerged through the tunnel, out of the shadows beneath the enormous stands and into the bright sunshine splashed across Met Life Stadium on Monday afternoon.

Grouped in teams of 15-20 players apiece, some of the New York City students gasped or screamed with joy. Others walked eagerly onto the soft green artificial turf field with mouths gaping. Most pulled out their mobile phones to record a few quick memories. Yes, they were really walking onto the New York Jets’ actual NFL field to play meaningful football games.

On November 2, the New York Jets hosted the Special Olympics New York Unified Flag Football playoffs at their home stadium in New Jersey. Fifteen teams from NYC District 75 schools and their unified partners gladly made the trek to Met Life Stadium for the competition.

“This was surreal, just walking down the tunnel to the field the kids couldn’t believe it,” said Coach Pasquale Perone of Edward Murrow High School in Brooklyn. “The players were all looking forward to coming here and are really enjoying it.”

The stadium’s seating bowl holds 82,500 people for NFL games. Though the seats were mostly empty on Monday the grandeur and glamour of the place made quite an impression. Jets community affairs staff supported the event by donating uniforms for the players and coordinating games.

The gigantic field was split into quadrants, each stretching from a goal line to midfield. That way four flag football games were played simultaneously. Each of the four fields had referees, scoreboards and three officials provided by sponsor Moody’s to keep things moving smoothly.

“It’s cool to be playing on a field like this,” said player Dylan Burrow of Van Arsdale High School in Brooklyn. “Once I got into the game, I just locked in and played my game.”

Burrow’s comments applied across the board. Players and coaches were starry-eyed taking the field, then quickly snapped into competitive mode once the games began.

“It was my first time being on an NFL field,” said Owen Seaforth, a player on the Edward Murrow Magic Green team. “I made a few catches and I’m so thankful to be here today. It’s just amazing.”

Throughout October, Special Olympics New York Unified Flag Football teams played regular season games at the Queens High School for Teaching in Bellerose. On Monday, each team played two games, with winners crowned at the end of the night.

Four teams took home trophies as division champions: the Van Arsdale Cardinals, the P35M Blue Knights, the P277Q Otters and the P811Q Seahawks. In Unified sports, athletes with and without disabilities compete together as teammates. Player Sareye Joseph of the Murrow Magic Green said she relied on her teammates to help settle her nerves and have a good time in such a dramatic setting.

“It was a little bit stressful,” Joseph said. “But it was a very good game. I’m thankful for my teammates, and I’m very thankful for this community we have.”

Coach Jonathan Beckman of Van Arsdale High School was thrilled to see his Cardinals win their division on Monday. He seemed just as pleased to see the way the students all played together even while competing at a high level.

“We’re a confident bunch, and what I was proud of today was that even though we were winning by a lot, the kids showed sportsmanship,” Beckman said. “They were very friendly, helping other players up, and being motivational saying ‘good job’ to the players on the other team that played well. Special Olympics is great and I’m happy to be a part of it.”

Beckman also acknowledged that like his players, he too was ecstatic about playing on the New York Jets’ home field for a day.

“Even as a coach, and I’m 43 years old, you walk on a professional football field and it’s very exciting,” Beckman said. “The atmosphere, all the kids having a good time win or lose, it’s just a great experience for everyone.”

 

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