New York Jets Launch Jets Flag Elite 14U Team for 2025-26 Season

New York Jets Launch Jets Flag Elite and 14U Team for 2025-26 Season

The New York Jets have made an exciting announcement for the upcoming sports season, introducing the Jets Flag Elite roster for 2025-26 along with a brand-new 14U travel team set to kick off this fall. This groundbreaking initiative underscores the Jets' commitment to promoting girls' flag football while also securing a significant partnership with Fathead, marking an important milestone in their journey.

Partnership with Fathead

Fathead, well-known for its sports-themed wall decals, joins forces with the Jets Flag Elite as the first-ever presenting sponsor. This partnership aims to alleviate travel expenses for players by covering costs related to flights and accommodations during tournaments. The Jets have pledged to continue supporting the team by providing coaches, equipment, training facilities, tryouts, and tournament fees. The result? Almost all financial burdens are lifted from the players and their families, ensuring that they can focus on their game without the hassle of additional expenses.

As part of this collaboration, Fathead will produce Big Heads of each player, allowing fans to show their support during tournaments across the nation. Jeff Fernandez, the Jets' Senior Vice President for Business Development, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "This is a landmark agreement not just for our organization, but for girls' flag football as a whole. Our goal is to find innovative ways to expand the sport and create memorable experiences for our athletes."

Empowering Young Athletes

Through their Jets Flag Elite program, the organization is dedicated to empowering young female athletes in flag football, connecting them with professional experiences and opportunities to grow in the sport. The initiative aims to develop elite-level girls' flag football, create pathways for college scholarships, and support inclusion in future USA National Teams as flag football becomes part of the Olympic lineup in 2028.

Now in its second season, Jets Flag Elite will feature standout talents from the northeast competing in both high school and 14U divisions. These young athletes will participate in 5-on-5 flag football tournaments at various levels — local, regional, and national. The team is spearheaded by accomplished coaches, including Ridgewood High School's Mickey McDermott for the high school squad, and Jesse Marrow, who brings over 15 years of experience, will lead the 14U team.

Upcoming Tournament

The Jets Flag Elite will officially begin its season at the Halloween Horror tournament on October 11 in Windsor, CT, marking the team's inaugural competitive event for 2025.

A Commitment to Growth

The New York Jets have long been supporters of girls' flag football, creating a league with the Public School Athletic League (PSAL) in New York City in 2011. This initiative positioned them as the first NFL club to establish such a program at the varsity level. In 2021, they took another step forward by launching New Jersey's first High School Girls Flag Football League, backed by Nike, Gatorade, and Visa. Their ongoing efforts aim to equate opportunities in sports for girls and boys and advocate for the adoption of statewide championship statuses for girls flag football, which has recently materialized in 2024 for New York and is on the horizon for New Jersey.

With the support of organizations like Fathead, the Jets Flag Elite plans to continue breaking barriers, developing future leaders on and off the field, and enriching the flag football landscape for girls everywhere. This partnership and the program's dedicated efforts promise to change the game for young athletes engaging in flag football across the nation.

For further updates, fans are encouraged to visit the official Jets Flag Elite page on the New York Jets' website.