The New York Jets, in partnership with Special Olympics New York and Moody’s, announced the expansion of their High School Unified Flag Football League in New York City.
The 2025 season kicked off with an exciting clinic on October 14, bringing together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to compete and celebrate the spirit of inclusion, sportsmanship, and teamwork.
What Is Unified Sports?
Special Olympics Unified Sports® brings individuals with and without intellectual disabilities, known as Unified partners, together on the same team.
Dedicated to promoting social inclusion through shared training and competitive experiences, Unified Sports is inspired by a simple principle:
“Training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.”
Growth and Impact
The league has grown from 8 teams in 2024 to 12 teams in 2025. All twelve New York City high schools attended the season-opening clinic on October 14 and will compete in a championship tournament at MetLife Stadium this December.
Each team receives:
Official uniforms
Footballs
Flag belts
Practice jerseys
Grants to help offset participation costs
Looking Ahead
The Jets, Special Olympics New York, and Moody’s hope this growing league will serve as a pilot program for New York City to officially adopt Unified Flag Football as a sanctioned high school sport.
The Jets are already looking ahead to expand the league in 2026, aiming to bring more schools, students, and communities into the fold of inclusive sports
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