GILBERT — Arizona Cardinals linebacker Cody Simon made a surprise appearance on Tuesday night at a local high school girls’ flag football game.
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Arizona fourth-round draft pick Cody Simon speaks to the media at the Arizona Cardinals training center on May 8, 2025, in Tempe.
Simon joined players from Hamilton High School and Gilbert High School before the game on Gilbert’s home field, receiving cheers from fans as he performed the ceremonial coin toss.
halftime flicks
📸 Girls Flag Football Game of the Week 📸 pic.twitter.com/FiYjs6lmne
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) September 17, 2025
The event was part of the Cardinals’ ongoing community efforts in partnership with the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA). The AIA sanctioned girls flag football as a sport in 2022 following growing interest, and the first season was played in 2023.
Flag football has bloomed in popularity, especially after the NFL began to promote the sport. Many schools in the state have launched programs over the last several years.
Arizona linebacker Cody Simon (50) takes the field for warmups before their game against the Las Vegas Raiders at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, on Aug. 23, 2025.
Simon was drafted by Arizona in 2025 and has quickly become known for his leadership both on and off the field. His presence at the Hamilton and Gilbert game only helped strengthen the team’s efforts to continue to promote the sport around the state.
Simon and the Arizona Cardinals now look toward their own game, facing the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 21, at 1:25 p.m.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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