Danvers Flag Football Player Named Finalist For 2026 NFL Flag Player Of The Year

DANVERS, MA — A Danvers flag football player is among 10 national finalists in the 2026 NFL Flag Players of the Year Presented by Toyota program.

Sofia Lafontant attends St. Mary’s High School and competes for CK Divas.

Lafontant has played flag football since third grade. She was named a finalist for being a resilient teammate and strong competitor who represents the values of the game.

The NFL and Toyota award recognizes five girls and five boys nationally for excellence on the field.

The finalists were recognized after the 2026 NFL Flag Championships Presented by Toyota, which took place July 23-26 at Droplight Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield, Indiana.

The event was operated by RCX Sports and brought together 3,500 athletes across more than 350 girls and boys teams from the United States and around the world, including NFL Flag regional champions representing all 32 NFL clubs and international teams spanning five continents, according to the announcement.

"Each of these ten finalists are deserving of this recognition and we take great pride in honoring them on the same stage as the NFL's best," said Dedra DeLilli, vice president, marketing communications at Toyota. "At Toyota, we're proud to celebrate these young athletes. Their leadership, dedication to the game, and commitment to their communities are shaping the future of NFL Flag and lighting the way for the next generation."

"The rapid growth of flag football is being fueled by athletes whose talent, leadership and passion continue to raise the profile of the game," said Brian Flinn, NFL Senior Vice President, Global Flag Football. "These Player of the Year finalists represent the very best of flag football, demonstrating the character, resilience and commitment that are inspiring more young people to get involved in the sport."

One boy and one girl will be named winners in January. The NFL and Toyota said the two winners will be recognized at NFL Honors, a primetime awards special scheduled to air on Netflix during the week of Super Bowl LXI.