Bijan Robinson knew how special the day could be.
“I think it is super special,” exclaimed Robinson. “I played flag football as a kid all the way through high school until my senior year. I understand this game is evolving all over the world. It is really cool for us as players to see the growth of this game.”
Robinson, a second-year running back, was one of five Atlanta Falcons who participated in the team’s inaugural girls’ flag football clinic at Calvary Day School Saturday morning. Approximately 65 high school girls from the area participated in various football-related drills before the event culminated in a scrimmage.
He had hoped the girls would find a further comfort level with the game. Robinson was joined by linebacker Lorenzo Carter, running back Donovan Mutin, and defensive linemen Ta’Quon Graham and Zach Harrison.
The players went through a litany of typical offensive and defensive drills for every position.
“We want them to compete and not be afraid to compete,” noted Robinson. “We want them to go out there and show people what they have. We want to try to get them over this point. They also have to have fun growing this game.
“It’s cool to be there with them and work with them to become better players.”
Friday evening, the players were involved in festivities at the Savannah Bananas’ game. They concluded their day with fan-related events at the Grove.
The event was developed as a plan to expand the team’s identity throughout Georgia.
“We want to be able to do more of this, not just in Savannah, but in different areas, “ said Kabrione Coleman, the Falcons’ senior experiential marketing manager. “We want to make an impact, and this is the first time we did a combined event.
“But we have been doing girls’ flag clinics for a while, and our community relations team are the forerunners when it comes to girls’ flag communities around the country. This is a great turnout, the girls were excited, and the guys were super excited to see whose team would be better. We’re grateful to make your impact here with the sport.”
Former Falcons’ cornerback Bobby Butler, who played for them from 1981-92, was an honorary coach, and he has been pleased with the game’s progress.
“When I was kid, girls played in the street or they would play another sport,” recalled Butler about his youth involving girls playing football. “It is a pleasant surprise to see how good they are at this. They are getting scholarships, and it has developed into a great opportunity for them.”
Butler, former Falcons linebacker, and teammate Buddy Curry work together with Kids and Pros, an organization formed in 2001 to help boys and girls with drills and build character.
“We teach basic football skills and also stress character,” said Butler.
“We can see plenty of girls with football skills and character here.”
The Falcons and the Arthur M. Blank Foundation were instrumental in helping girls’ flag football become a GHSA varsity sport in 2020.
Nick Grassi, who is the head girls’ flag football coach at Calvary, has watched his program take a mercurial rise over the last five years into a perennial state contender. However, he realizes how continuous exposure can take the game to the next level.
Calvary will host a two-day, 10-team, single-elimination tournament next Saturday.
“This was a good clinic,” said Grassi. “We have a middle school, JV, and varsity team, and have had good numbers. The larger schools are getting more players. The game is moving along at a good pace, and it will get better.”
PHOTO (l-r): Calvary Coach Nick Grassi & Bijan Robinson
Photo Credit: Calvary Day School Flag Football program
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