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Peabody's McKeon chosen by NFL to help promote flag football
Kenia McKeon was one of the first girls to play flag football in Peabody, and was a member
of the Peabody girls 12-to-14-year-old all-star team that went to the National Tournament
at Disney World.
Now the Peabody High School junior and starter on the Tanners' softball team has been
selected to represent this region of the country for a National Football League pilot
program, intended to introduce flag football as a high school varsity sport.
McKeon is one of only 10 girls throughout the country who have been chosen.
The NFL conducted research which revealed that Peabody is a hot spot for girls involved
in the sport of flag football. Samantha Rapoport of the Youth Department NFL office was
selected to head up the program.
"I received a note from (Rapoport) about the need for more girls to get involved in flag
football and about this new program to start an interscholastic sport at the high school
level," said Austin Bradshaw, who founded Peabody Youth Flag Football and this year
added programs in both Beverly and Lynn. "They identified 10 cities across the country,
and we're very proud that Peabody was one of them.
"They wanted one girl that we considered to be a leader in our community and who wanted
to play flag football as a competitive school sport. The league will train these girls about
how to present it to their high school athletic directors."
The NFL identified Peabody as the No. 3 area on their Top 10 list for having the highest
number of females participating in their youth flag football program. Others cities on the
list are Las Vegas, San Jose, Levittown, Penn., Wayne, N.J., Fort Wayne, Ind., Glendale,
Ariz., Austin, Texas, Fallon, Nev and Atlanta.
"I was contacted by an NFL representative and given information about what we'll be
doing," said McKeon, who also plays volleyball and basketball. "It's an honor to be picked
as one of only 10 girls from all over the country.
"I love flag football. It's an awesome sport, and I think this is a great idea. I've been doing it
since I was in the seventh grade. When I started at age 12 there was only me and a
couple of other girls. Now I referee teams of younger girls, and I am amazed how popular it
has become."
Currently, flag football is a state sanctioned sport at the high school level in Florida and
Alaska with large numbers of girls competing.
The NFL is offering to provide free footballs, flag belts and coaching manuals to schools
that agree to participate in the initial year of the program, with the league's long-term goal
of creating an NCAA sport for women. The only cost to schools would be officiating and
field time.
McKeon was selected for her leadership skills, determination and enthusiasm. She will
receive training from NFL personnel.
"We went to the Nationals three years ago, and since then Peabody has sent two other
teams there," said McKeon. "We met so many other players there and it was a great
experience — all the girls had so much fun."
Article courtesy of the Salem news
By Jean DePlacido
Correspondent
Kenia McKeon was one of the first girls to play flag football in Peabody, and was a member
of the Peabody girls 12-to-14-year-old all-star team that went to the National Tournament
at Disney World.
Now the Peabody High School junior and starter on the Tanners' softball team has been
selected to represent this region of the country for a National Football League pilot
program, intended to introduce flag football as a high school varsity sport.
McKeon is one of only 10 girls throughout the country who have been chosen.
The NFL conducted research which revealed that Peabody is a hot spot for girls involved
in the sport of flag football. Samantha Rapoport of the Youth Department NFL office was
selected to head up the program.
"I received a note from (Rapoport) about the need for more girls to get involved in flag
football and about this new program to start an interscholastic sport at the high school
level," said Austin Bradshaw, who founded Peabody Youth Flag Football and this year
added programs in both Beverly and Lynn. "They identified 10 cities across the country,
and we're very proud that Peabody was one of them.
"They wanted one girl that we considered to be a leader in our community and who wanted
to play flag football as a competitive school sport. The league will train these girls about
how to present it to their high school athletic directors."
The NFL identified Peabody as the No. 3 area on their Top 10 list for having the highest
number of females participating in their youth flag football program. Others cities on the
list are Las Vegas, San Jose, Levittown, Penn., Wayne, N.J., Fort Wayne, Ind., Glendale,
Ariz., Austin, Texas, Fallon, Nev and Atlanta.
"I was contacted by an NFL representative and given information about what we'll be
doing," said McKeon, who also plays volleyball and basketball. "It's an honor to be picked
as one of only 10 girls from all over the country.
"I love flag football. It's an awesome sport, and I think this is a great idea. I've been doing it
since I was in the seventh grade. When I started at age 12 there was only me and a
couple of other girls. Now I referee teams of younger girls, and I am amazed how popular it
has become."
Currently, flag football is a state sanctioned sport at the high school level in Florida and
Alaska with large numbers of girls competing.
The NFL is offering to provide free footballs, flag belts and coaching manuals to schools
that agree to participate in the initial year of the program, with the league's long-term goal
of creating an NCAA sport for women. The only cost to schools would be officiating and
field time.
McKeon was selected for her leadership skills, determination and enthusiasm. She will
receive training from NFL personnel.
"We went to the Nationals three years ago, and since then Peabody has sent two other
teams there," said McKeon. "We met so many other players there and it was a great
experience — all the girls had so much fun."
Article courtesy of the Salem news
By Jean DePlacido
Correspondent
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