New York Giants Star at Flag Football Kickoff Event

With Giants watching over you, you are always in good hands.

Section VII’s flag football players learned just how this felt when members of the New York Giants spent time with them to start their season.

This March at the Adirondack Coast Sports Indoor Facility in Plattsburgh, Section VII hosted a Kickoff Event that welcomed all its flag football squads for a skills clinic.

In coordination with New York Giants’ Community Relations Team Members Tara Belinsky and Ethan Medley as well as defensive lineman Casey Rogers and Giants legend Jonathan Casillas, Section VII began its third flag football season with a bang.

“This event was a great opportunity for our student-athletes to start their seasons with professionals,” Section VII Executive Director Matt Walentuk said. “The New York Giants have always shown our Section great support, and to have members of their organization and Community Relations Team spend time with us was a memorable experience.”

The Giants helped get flag football started in Section VII when they donated nearly $30,000 to local teams to purchase flag football equipment and get the inaugural season off the ground in 2023.

The organization has been a constant supporter of Section VII flag football and elevated their helping hand to the next level when they participated in the Skills Clinic.

Plans were made to hold a clinic in 2024, however, scheduling conflicts toward the end of the season prevented the Giants from coming to visit.

Right away in 2025, the Giants came to town.

Casillas, a Super Bowl Champion, as well as Rogers were active participants in drills for pass routes and defensive coverage, while Medley brought endless energy and roamed around to all the drills.

“It was easy to see how much fun all the girls were having by the smiles on their faces,” Walentuk said. “As a Section, we truly appreciate all the Giants have done for us and our athletes.”

Toward the end of the clinic, a student-athlete from each team was honored for being a great teammate. The Giants shared closing thoughts and inspirational messages to set all the flag football players off on the right note and into their seasons.

Beekmantown made history this spring being the first Section VII team to appear at the NYSPHSAA flag football final four and finished as a state semifinalist.

“Flag football continues to grow and become one of the most popular sports in our Section,” Walentuk said. “In the first season, we saw exponential growth, and now we are starting to see the sport become more prominent at younger ages, which will only elevate the talent and commitment to the sport we have for years to come.”