Buffalo Bills Announce Sponsorship For Gay Flag Football Chapter

The NFL and its teams have long promoted flag football as a way of engaging youth to develop a love for the game. And the league and most of its teams are strong supporters of gay rights issues and events, including Pride Month.

Well, the Buffalo Bills are combining the two.

Gay flag football.

Bills owner Terry Pegula (L) visits with head coach Sean McDermott during training camp at St. John Fisher University.

Bills Embrace Gay Flag Football

The Bills on Tuesday announced its sponsorship of a new Buffalo chapter to the National Gay Flag Football League. 

The NGFFL is a non-profit organization founded in 2002 that says its objectives include presenting amateur flag football "as a means to educate, change attitudes, promote self-discovery, and build esteem within the LGBTQ+ community, and in the communities in which LGBTQ+ people work, live, and play."

All member organizations "are expected to adhere to and support the NGFFL vision and nondiscrimination policy. All member organizations are expected to serve, first and foremost, the LGBTQ+ community."

NGFFL competitions include the Pride Bowl, the Sin City Classic, the Pride Cup, and the Gay Bowl.

Press box view of Highmark Stadium, home of the Buffalo Bills, before a game in 2023. (Credit: Armando Salguero, OutKick)

(OutKick)

Buffalo Bills Support ‘A Game-Changer’  

"We are thrilled to bring inclusive flag football to Buffalo with the support of the Buffalo Bills," NGFFL commissioner Joel Horton said in a story posted on the Bills' website. "This exciting addition joins 27 other cities, and over 4,000 players, including straight allies, in the National Gay Flag Football League."

The story goes on to call the collaboration between the Bills and the NGFFL "a game-changer for bringing LGBTQ+ organized football to Buffalo."

"We are excited to join the NFL and other clubs across the league in their support of the NGFFL," said Bills Vice President of Community Impact Michelle Roberts. "Through our sponsorship, we are looking forward to expanding the impact of the NGFFL in our community."

The Bills are not the first NFL team to partner with the NGFFL. The release announcing the partnership lists the Giants, Patriots, Jets, Dolphins, Cardinals, Bears, Commanders and Seahawks as partners. 

Bills quarterback Josh Allen is hit as he goes out of bounds by Jets Hamsah Nasirildeen. The Bills beat the Jets 27-10 to win the AFC east.

NFL Teams Open To LGBTQ+ Practices

Adding more teams is obviously a goal. And gaining the Bills' support is being celebrated.

"Our NFL supporters have opened their facilities to LGBTQ+ football practices and warmly welcomed players, fostering a more inclusive environment in their cities," the NGFFL said.

"Following in the footsteps of our other partner cities, Buffalo, through its community spirit, is taking a significant step toward furthering competitive seven-on-seven inclusive flag football. Together with the Buffalo Bills, we’re making this vision a reality."