Second Annual Unified Thanksgiving Flag Football Game held at Macdonald Stadium

Malden High and Medford High teams battle it out in holiday spirit

By Steve Freker

MALDEN – The tradition continues! The Second Annual Unified Sports Thanksgiving Flag Football Game between Malden High School and Medford High School was held at Macdonald Stadium in Malden on Thursday, November 16. The first-ever Unified Football game was held last year, in advance of the special 135th game at Fenway Park in Boston.

“Last year’s game was so well-received and popular, we talked it over with Medford High Athletic Director Bob Maloney and we agreed to try and have it every year now,” said Malden High Physical Education Department Director Charlie Conefrey. “It is another great event we can hold for our students.”

Malden Public Schools has been a pioneer in the adoption of Unified Sports since Conefrey began serving as Director in the 2016-17 school year.

Unified Sports was conceived and initiated by the national organization Special Olympics in 2013. Unified Sports joins students with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. According to information from Special Olympics, “the establishment of Unified Sports was inspired by a simple principle: training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.”

On Thursday, teams and coaches converged on the field and held a spirited game, which fittingly ended in a 3-3 tie, score-wise. Players from both of the respective varsity football teams helped coach the two squads, and there was plenty of excitement and goodwill that afternoon.

“It was a great day once again for everyone,” Conefrey said. “There were lots of smiles and that is what is most important. We already can’t wait for next year’s game.”

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