The Carolina Panthers, Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation and Pop Warner Football have teamed up to give children and young adults (ages 8-21) with disabilities the opportunity to participate in the Challenger Flag Football League. The league allows them to play football and cheer in a safe, structured and team environment.
The Challenger Flag Football League's opening day ceremonies take place at the Marion Diehl Center in Charlotte. The event features player introductions that resemble those for an NFL game at Bank of America Stadium. Players run onto the field through a giant inflatable Panthers mouth as smoke and streamers fill the sky above, exchanging high-fives with Panthers players and Sir Purr in addition to being welcomed by TopCats and the league's spirit squad cheerleaders. Games are held every Saturday in September and October on the adaptive sports field at the Marion Diehl Center.
The Panthers have provided funding and additional resources for the program, which is administered by Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation and endorsed by the Pop Warner Little Panthers. Players receive authentic Panthers NFL Flag Football jerseys for games, and spirit squad members get official game-used pom-poms from the TopCats. There is no registration fee for program participants.
If you are interested in starting a Challenger Flag Football League in a city where there is a need, download the grant application. Grants ranging from $2,000-$5,000 are available from Carolina Panthers Charities. For more information about the Challenger Flag Football League, please contact the Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation's therapeutic recreation division at 704-527-0237.