49ers Alumni Supported Girls Flag Football Programs
Former players attended recent games in California to help expand girls flag football opportunities.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Football
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San Francisco 49ers alumni, including Steve Young, Anthony Dixon, and Dennis Brown, made appearances at California high school girls flag football events last week. These visits aimed to bolster the growth of the sport and connect with a new generation of players.
Why it matters
Alumni participation is intended to support the rapid development of girls flag football as a high school sport. By providing guidance and visibility, former professional athletes hope to encourage participation and future collegiate opportunities for the students.
Menlo School achieved an undefeated record over the first two seasons of its flag football program following the launch in 2023. Athletes at the recent tournament were allowed to hold a Super Bowl championship ring.
The players
Steve Young
He is a former Hall of Fame quarterback who played for the San Francisco 49ers and won three Super Bowls.
Anthony Dixon
He is a former professional running back who played several seasons in the NFL.
Dennis Brown
He is a former defensive lineman who played for the San Francisco 49ers during the 1990s.
John Paye
He is a former professional athlete who played for the San Francisco 49ers and attended Menlo School.
Menlo School
It is a private secondary school located in Atherton that has become a hub for high school flag football.
The details
Alumni stars Steve Young and John Paye, who previously established the Menlo program in 2023, were joined by others at sites including Menlo School and Wilcox High School. These events highlighted the ongoing commitment from former professionals to mentor young athletes through shared experience and expertise.
Timeline
John Paye graduated from Menlo School in 1983.
Steve Young coached Menlo girls basketball in 1987.
Young and Paye launched the Menlo girls flag football program in 2023.
Alumni attended flag football games in California last week.
Season Trajectory
The involvement of professional alumni accelerates the competitive development of flag football within California high schools. This visibility helps elevate the prestige of the sport, likely impacting future recruitment cycles and the availability of collegiate scholarship opportunities.
The active recruitment and coaching of these programs by former professionals signals a maturing landscape for high school athletes seeking collegiate paths in flag football. Local students now benefit from direct access to high-level tactical training previously unavailable at the prep level.
The takeaway
The presence of former 49ers players serves to solidify the cultural standing of girls flag football within the state. Young athletes can utilize these networking opportunities to learn professional-level fundamentals from seasoned veterans of the game.
Further reading
For more on the development of the sport, visit the Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Francisco 49ers.
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