On Sunday February 2nd, Jadyn Williams and Jaci Kitchings played in a national flag football game from the Pro Bowl. The game was televised on ESPN during "NFL Sunday Countdown." Williams and Kitchings participated in the inaugural NFL Flag Showcase alongside some of the best players around the country.
When the girls arrived to Orlando where the game was being played, they experienced all kinds of emotions.
"Me and Jadyn were both nervous and excited about the upcoming weekend," Kitchings said. "I remember we were talking about how we were a little nervous to meet the girls and our coaches, because we hoped everyone would get along and there would be no tension for the upcoming weekend." Jadyn said that nervousness changed to excitement once they got settled in at the hotel.
Prior to the game on Sunday, all 30 players stayed in Downtown Disney and got to experience Orlando.
The very best from all over the country were invited to play in the game. Jaci and Jadyn were extremely proud to be recognized by the NFL itself.
"Being recognized by the NFL was definitely unexpected and nerve-wrecking, but overall I am so thankful for the opportunity that was given to me," Williams said.
Jaci Kitchings expressed the same gratitude for the selection to play. "This was such an honor to me knowing that I was one out of 30 players selected to be representing high school girls flag," Kitchings said. "It was such an honor to know that all of my hard work from the past four seasons has had such an amazing outcome and I am so blessed for the opportunities that flag has brought me."
All the nerves were far gone when the girls stepped back on the field. Both Jaci and Jadyn said that playing in the Pro Bowl was their favorite moment from the experience in Orlando.
"Everyone was so different and shared all of their different perspectives on the sport," Williams said.
A couple of NFL players got the opportunity to meet with the SEB stars. NFL wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings Justin Jefferson stopped by to meet and talk with the girls. "I admired how Jefferson came up to us after our showcase Sunday and congratulated us, even though he didn't have to," Kitchings said.
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson also talked to the girls.
SEB Flag Football Head Coach Marci Cochran expressed how happy she was that the NFL gave them that opportunity. "This was special and all for free," Cochran said. "They didn't drop a dime to do it, so that was really special. And then to watch them down there, and to see them dominate the game the way they did was so fun," Cochran said.
Both Jadyn and Jaci were teammates for the NFC team. Their team won 28-0 and Jaci scored 2 touchdowns in the victory.
The two girls are seniors, but the story for them in an SEB uniform is not over. Southeast Bulloch has been invited to play in the national tournament in Canton, Ohio from June 13-15. The team is currently running a fundraiser to help pay for the cost. Learn more here.
