Student athletes from several Manatee County schools recently joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for an inspiring event.
(Photo: Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Tori Richman)
The Buccaneers Girls Flag Football Preseason Classic is a competition in Tampa, attended by more than 80 high school teams and 1,600 players.
Braden River High, Lakewood Ranch High, Manatee High, Palmetto High and Southeast High Schools participated.
Braden River High School (Photos: Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Tori Richman)
Prior to each day’s kickoff, top female executives spoke to the flag football teams.
They represent the Bucs, Nike, the NFL and the Tampa Bay Sports Commission.
Lakewood Ranch High School (Photos: Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Tori Richman)
This annual celebration is the largest of its kind in the southeast and marks the start of the spring flag football season.
Southeast High School (Photos: Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Tori Richman)
The Bucs are the first NFL team to create an academic scholarship program for girls who play organized football, and who are interested in pursuing a career in sports.
Jairis Gomez, a 2022 graduate of Southeast High School, was a recipient of the scholarship last year.
She is currently attending Florida State University and plans to study sports management.
Photo: Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Tori Richman
Braden River High School flag football team (Photo provided by Coach Amanda Porco)
Photo provided by Lakewood Ranch High School Flag Football