Today is American Football Dayand Football America High SchoolHSFA FLAG’s parent company, joins in celebrating a sport that brings communities together, builds lifelong friendships and teaches valuable lessons that extend far beyond the football field.
This year’s celebration is especially important as American Football Day kicks off the inauguration American Football Week, November 5–8, 2026a four-day celebration of the game and the people who make it special.
“American Football Week brings the entire football community together around a shared celebration of the game and the people who make it possible,” said Terry Fontenotvice president, soccer development at the NFL. “Behind every player’s journey is a coach who provides guidance, encouragement and lessons that extend far beyond the field and last a lifetime. This initiative creates a meaningful platform to foster and recognize those relationships and their lasting impact.”
The celebration began Thursday when the NFL, Play Football and Football Operations social channels joined league partners and football organizations, including the National Football Foundation (NFF) and American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), to promote a 30-second spot produced by NFL Films.
“American Football Week is a great opportunity to thank the coaches at every level who give so much of themselves to make a difference in the lives of others,” said Archie ManningChairman of the National Soccer Foundation. “Soccer has a special way of bringing people together, and coaches are at the heart of that. A great coach does much more than teach the game. They teach young people about hard work, teamwork, perseverance and how to deal with both success and adversity. Those lessons stay with you long after one’s playing days. Simply put, coaches change lives and inspire their young people to become leaders.”
“We are proud to join the NFL in celebrating American Football Week and the impact of high school football across our country,” said Joe MartinExecutive Director, Texas High School Coaches Association and chairman, AFCA National High School Executive Committee. “From the Friday Night Lights that bring communities together to the coaches who invest in young people every day, this is where the foundation of our game is built. High school football continues to strengthen our communities, shape young people and ignite the game at every level.”
“American Football Week celebrates our great game and recognizes the invaluable impact that high school football coaches have on the development of young people across our country, both on and off the field,” added Craig BohlExecutive Director, American Football Coaches Association.
On Saturday, the Big 12, Sun Belt, Ohio Valley and HBCU conferences will continue online and in-game promotion of the initiative. American Football Week will then culminate on Sunday as NFL clubs amplify the messages in their stadiums. NFL Legends and on-air talent will further recognize these coaches by sharing photos and authentic stories about the people who helped shape their football journeys.
As an official partner of NFL plays footballHigh School Football America is proud to recognize the players, coaches, officials, families and volunteers who help make football one of America’s most beloved sports.
From youth leagues and Friday night high school football games to college football Saturdays and NFL Sundays, the sport is deeply woven into the fabric of American culture.
Celebrate the game at every level
For more than a century, football has been about much more than touchdowns, tackles and championships.
It’s about teamwork, discipline, perseverance, leadership and community.
Every fall, communities across the country gather under the Friday Night Lights to support their local high school football teams. For many towns, those games represent a tradition that brings together generations of families, former players and fans.
Eleven-player high school football continues to grow, with its strongest participation total in nearly a decade, while girls flag football delivered another massive jump during the 2025-26 sports season.
The NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey saw 1,043,716 boys play 11-a-side football last year – up 14,128, or 1.4 per cent, and the highest figure since the 2016-17 season. It remains by far the most popular high school sport in America.
Add in 33,191 boys in 6-, 8- and 9-man football and 4,334 girls across all four versions of tackle football, and overall high school football participation reached 1,081,241, an increase of 11,597 from the previous year.
American Football Day is an opportunity to celebrate those traditions while recognizing the countless individuals who dedicate their time and energy to growing the game.
These include youth coaches who introduce kids to football for the first time, high school coaches who help student-athletes develop into young adults.
It also includes the parents, athletic trainers, school administrators, cheerleaders, marching bands and volunteers who contribute to the Friday night experience.
High School Football America’s partnership with NFL plays footballwhich started in 2020 reflects a shared commitment to support grassroots football.
By NFL play football, the National Football League works to inspire the next generation of athletes while promoting opportunities to participate in soccer and flag football.
The initiative also recognizes the important contributions of youth and high school coaches who serve as mentors and role models in their communities.
High School Football America is proud to help tell those stories through its coverage of the NFL’s Youth Coach of the Week and High School Coach of the Week recognition programs.
These programs shine a spotlight on individuals whose influence goes far beyond wins and losses.
Their work helps young athletes develop confidence, character, leadership skills and a lifelong appreciation for the game.
As American Football Week begins, the continued growth of flag football is another reason to celebrate the future of the sport.
Flag football has opened new doors for young athletes, especially girls, as schools, youth organizations and communities expand participation opportunities.
With more states embracing girls’ high school flag football and the sport preparing for its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, soccer’s reach continues to grow.
According to the NFHS, Girls’ flag football continues to flourish during the 2025-2026 sports season. Participation rose from 68,847 to 102,360 — a 48.7 percent increase that pushed the sport into the Top 10 for girls. Since 2021-22, when 15,716 girls played flag football nationally, the sport has added more than 87,000 participants.
Schools offering girls flag football climbed from 2,736 to 3,990 during the 2025-2026 sports season.
Through HSFA banner, High School Football America is committed to covering the athletes, teams and programs that help shape the next chapter of the sport.
Whether it’s tackle football or flag football, the values of teamwork, sportsmanship and commitment remain at the heart of the game.
A salute to the people behind the game
During American football weekHigh School Football America encourages fans to celebrate the people who have made a difference in their football journeys.
Thank a coach who believed in you.
Acknowledge an officer who gives up evenings and weekends to serve the wildlife.
Celebrate a volunteer who helps keep a youth soccer organization running.
And support the student-athletes who proudly represent their schools and communities every time they step on the field.
Since 2004, High School Football America has been dedicated to telling the story of America through tackle and flag football. We love to recognize the achievements of teams, players and coaches from coast to coast.
As the inaugural American Football Week unfolds November 5–8, we celebrate the past, present and future of the game.
