Alabama High School Flag Football Featured in Super Bowl LX Pregame

NBC's 'Football in America' segment showcases the rapid growth of girls flag football in the state.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The Super Bowl LX pregame show featured a segment by NBC's Peter King highlighting the rising popularity of girls flag football in Alabama. King showcased a regular season game between Spain Park and Prattville high schools, capturing the competitive spirit and passion of the players. The segment underscores the significant growth of flag football as a sport for female athletes, with increasing opportunities at both the high school and collegiate levels.

Why it matters

The inclusion of girls flag football in a nationally televised event like the Super Bowl pregame show signals a turning point for the sport. As flag football expands at the high school level and transitions to the collegiate ranks, it offers more athletic opportunities and pathways to scholarships for female athletes. Beyond participation, the sport also emphasizes teamwork, strategy, and fundamental football skills that can benefit players in other areas of life.

The details

Peter King's 'Football in America' segment featured players and coaches from Spain Park and Prattville high schools in Alabama. The NBC crew captured the emotion and competitive spirit of a regular season flag football game between the two teams. King noted that this was his first time attending a girls flag football game, and he was impressed by the level of play and the passion displayed by the athletes. Spain Park coach Carmen Starr spoke about the opportunity to provide a sport she wished she'd had access to growing up, while Prattville player Lanieya Page shared her excitement about the growing opportunities in flag football, including her recent selection to participate in the NFL's flag football showcase during Pro Bowl week.

  • The segment aired on February 8, 2026, during the Super Bowl LX pregame show around 2:10 p.m. Central time.
  • The NBC crew filmed a game between Spain Park and Prattville high schools in Autauga County, Alabama.

The players

Spain Park High School

A high school in Alabama that has won the national championship in girls flag football twice.

Prattville High School

A high school in Alabama that competed against Spain Park in the flag football game featured in the segment.

Carmen Starr

The head coach of the Spain Park High School girls flag football team.

Lanieya Page

A player for the Prattville High School girls flag football team who recently signed to play at the University of North Alabama and was selected to participate in the NFL's flag football showcase during Pro Bowl week.

Peter King

A sports journalist who hosted the 'Football in America' segment featuring the girls flag football game during the Super Bowl LX pregame show.

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What they’re saying

“Being able to coach it and share that passion that I've always had. Getting that little spark kicked off in them. It's amazing.”

— Carmen Starr, Spain Park High School Girls Flag Football Coach (NBC)

“Flag football has always been something I would dream to play but at the time, there was nothing.”

— Lanieya Page, Prattville High School Girls Flag Football Player (NBC)

What’s next

The increasing collegiate opportunities in flag football, like the program at the University of North Alabama, will likely fuel further growth at the high school level. This trend suggests a future where flag football becomes a mainstream sport for girls, offering a pathway to college scholarships and potentially even professional opportunities.

The takeaway

The inclusion of girls flag football in a nationally televised event like the Super Bowl pregame show signals a turning point for the sport. Beyond providing more athletic opportunities, flag football emphasizes teamwork, strategy, and fundamental football skills that can benefit players in other areas of life. The growing popularity and expansion of the sport at both the high school and collegiate levels suggest a future where flag football becomes a more mainstream option for female athletes.