By now most PFFL fans are aware that the Spring 2012 season has generated a record-breaking number of players for the Youth League. While the bump in registration from last season to this season is remarkable, this increase was made possible through the American Eagle Outfitters Foundation’s sponsorship of several Amachi Pittsburgh kids to play NFL Flag Football. This is the first time that a corporate foundation has sponsored children to play in the Pittsburgh Flag Football League.

Established in 1999, the American Eagle Outfitters Foundation strives to create positive change in areas that are important to both their customers and associates, including youth development and environmental conservation. Their support of the Amachi program is symbolic of the foundation’s emphasis on giving back in the communities that contributes to American Eagle Outfitters’ success.

Sean Farr is well respected around the PFFL for his pass-rushing skills in the Adult League and coaching the RAIDERS in the Youth League. In addition to his value to the league, Farr works as the Family and Child Engagement Specialist for Amachi. While he’s only been serving in his current position for two years, he has been a mentor with Amachi for nearly eight years.

“We provide support for children with a parent incarcerated,” Farr said about his organization. “We’ve been around in Pittsburgh since 2003.”

Amachi is a national program that mentors children and youth ages 4 to 18 that have one or both parents incarcerated. Specifically, Amachi Pittsburgh has won several prestigious honors. Most notably, the organization was recognized by President Bush at the White House Conference for Faith and Community Based Initiatives in June 2004. 

While this is the first time that a large number of kids from the Amachi program have played in the Youth League, Farr explains that his organization provides multiple educational and recreational opportunities for the youth that he and his colleagues serve.

“We also have a three-on-three basketball tournament that’s called Mentee Madness,’ ” he said. “Before getting the youth involved in this youth league we had ‘Mentee Bowl’ which was a flag football game that we started with all of the mentors and mentees.

By sponsoring at-risk youth to play in the PFFL, the American Eagle Outfitters Foundation has set the standard that more corporations should follow according to Farr.

“I think it’s really important to the league,” he said. “If they’re able to sponsor kids in other programs—especially Amachi—that means that there are more kids in that program that can be involved in something like this.”