Sports

Giants continue support of New York Gay Flag Football League – Giants.com

In addition to bringing several league members to the facility for a visit, the Giants also presented the NYGFL with a $10,000 contribution.

“It’s been amazing having the Giants support us and actually come to the table and partner with us as a community,” said NYGFL Commissioner Monty Clinton. “It shows the Giants’ commitment to support our league and help us thrive. I think it’s really important having the Giants’ support, it helps continue to break down barriers around diversity and inclusion within sports.”

Added Wizel: “It’s been wonderful. The Giants have supported us financially in helping provide funding for tournaments, uniforms and anything that comes with running a flag football league. It’s really important for the partnership to grow. We just hope to continue to have events like this.”

Some of the members of the NYGFL’s Hall of Fame and Board came to East Rutherford to check out the facilities, meet some of the players and staff members and throw a football around the practice field.

It served as a great opportunity to celebrate Pride Month and acknowledge the various members of the NYGFL.

“This relationship is magnificent,” NYGFL Hall of Fame member Leslie Goldstein stated during the visit. “It’s something we’ve worked hard for with the NYGFL to bring to light just the LGBT community, and really have a connection to a national organization and a team like the Giants just helps us feel included and welcome in sports, which hasn’t always happened in the past. It’s really important for us…

“Getting to play on the field where they practice and they have meetings, running our routes, throwing balls, it was definitely the highlight of my day, my week, and something I’ll remember for a long time.”

The visit to the Quest Diagnostics Training Center was also meant to celebrate the NYGFL’s newest Hall of Fame inductees. The NYGFL Hall of Fame serves to recognize the achievement and contributions its members have made to both the sport of flag football and the LGBTQIA+ community. To be considered for the Hall of Fame, a person must exemplify at least one of the three pillars.

Competition: An NYGFL player that has demonstrated significant and high levels of play on the football field. A player that can create a significant presence on the field as a football player, and is undeniably an extreme resource to any team.

Contribution: An NYGFL community member that has made a significant contribution to the betterment of the league. Ways in order to qualify for this category could and should be involvement as a Board member, captain, referees, sponsor.

Community: An NYGFL member that has gone beyond the limits of the league and has contributed to the greater New York City LGBTQIA+ community. This can be both in terms as an activist, or social parameters.

The Hall of Fame is managed and voted on by active NYGFL Hall of Fame members.