NY Jets named finalists for Sports Humanitarian Award

The New York Jets have been named a finalist for their humanitarian efforts in the sporting world

On the field, the New York Jets haven’t sported the best teams throughout the past decade. They have, however, been among the best for their humanitarian efforts off the field.

ESPN has announced that the Jets are among four finalists for the Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year Award – for transforming their respective communities on and off the field. The award will be a part of the 2023 ESPYS.

Since 2011, the Jets have launched high school flag football leagues for girls in the NYC area. The team has been active in 60 schools throughout the five boroughs, with 175 high school flag football teams for girls.

The Jets created their own flag football league in 2021, but this season, they’ve expanded. In conjunction with Nike and Gatorade, the league has created over 100 teams in 2023 in the Hudson Valley, Long Island, and New Jersey areas, building upon the original eight schools that started the league initially. This year, the Jets have helped support more than 4,000 girls, helping them build character, perseverance, teamwork and dedication skills that should translate in all aspects of their life.

The long-term goal for the Jets is to have flag football adopted as an official varsity sport in both New York and New Jersey.

Since 2011, the Jets have helped launch more than 175 high school girls flag football teams and support more than 4,000 girls 💚

Congrats on the nomination, @NYJetsCR!! #EmpowHER https://t.co/TRZVGINerj

— New York Jets (@nyjets) June 27, 2023

The other finalists for the award include the Indianapolis Colts, the San Antonio Spurs, and the Connecticut Sun’s Youth Basketball program. The 2023 ESPYS will be hosted in Los Angeles, California on July 12 of this year.