CINCINNATI — Some of the Bengals’ newest players hit the field for their first drills, but not with the rest of the team. They joined about 300 kids from kindergarten to sixth grade from Hays-Porter School in Cincinnati.

The rookie class, including 13 newly signed college free agents, ran some drills and threw the ball around with the kids before starting a game of flag football at Willard Stargel Stadium.


What You Need To Know

  • Bengals' Rookie Class played flag football with some lucky school kids

  • About 300 kids participated

  • Event is part of the "Bengals Flag In-School" program, providing schools with flag football sets

​“We’re trying to inspire them and connect with them not only as players but as humans,” said Jaxson Kirkland, a Bengals offensive lineman from University of Washington.

“We want to inspire the next generation,” said Jacob Saylors, a running back from Eastern Tennessee State. “We can’t play this game forever and we want to teach these kids what we know here and have a little bit of fun.”

The event is part of a program called “Bengals Flag In-School,” presented by Kettering Health. They donated 50 flag football kits to schools in the greater Cincinnati area.