WASILLA, Alaska (KTUU) - The Seattle Seahawks became the latest professional sports team to pay a visit to the Last Frontier this week, and they furthered their Alaskan connection by holding a flag football camp for high schoolers at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center in Wasilla on Friday.
The Alaska flag football scene has long been one of the nation’s strongest, with the state becoming the second in the nation to sanction girls flag football in 2006.
Recently, the Seahawks’ home state of Washington joined that list.
“Supporting girls flag football is a really big initiative for the Seattle Seahawks,” said Managing Director of Community Engagement Becca Stout.
“Not just in the state of Washington, but helping it grow around the whole world.”
To further that goal, the squad partnered with several coaches of area high school flag football teams to lead a rotation of drills for footwork, hands, and speed.
Current Seahawks right tackle Abraham Lucas and former safety Lofa Tatupu were also in attendance to impart their years of NFL wisdom, while Seattle mascot Blitz cheered camp attendees on.
“I would like to see these girls in pads, because I already know they have it,” Tatupu said after the camp. “I’m excited to see what they do in the future.”
One of those in attendance was Jaelynn Colby, a rising senior and member of the defending Alaska state champion North Pole squad.
“It’s awesome to have them here,” she said about the opportunity. ″I’ve been playing flag since freshman year, and it’s something that I’ve wanted to pursue through college.
“I play a lot of sports, and this is definitely the best camp I’ve been to,” she added.
The team confirmed at the end of the camp that they plan to return to Alaska next season to host a similar camp.
The Alaska high school flag football season begins Aug. 14.
