Mayor Lurie Partners With 49ers To Kick Off Youth Football Program, Build On Violence Prevention Work

SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor Daniel Lurie today kicked off a youth flag football event with the San Francisco 49ers Foundation at Civic Center Plaza, bringing together young people from across the city for a day of skills training, games, and mentorship. Made possible through a partnership between the Mayor’s Office, city departments, the San Francisco 49ers, and community organizations, the event will engage young people in safe, positive activities that promote connection, confidence, and personal growth—building on existing youth programming led by the San Francisco Police Activities League.

The partnership between the 49ers Foundation and city continues Mayor Lurie’s work to expand youth programming and improve public safety across San Francisco neighborhoods. In Mayor Lurie’s first year in office, citywide crime dropped nearly 30% and has continued to decline in 2026. To continue to support violence prevention efforts, the Mayor’s Office has convened citywide violence reduction roundtables that meet regularly and bring together city departments and community partners to coordinate violence prevention and intervention efforts across the city.

“San Francisco’s young people should have the chance to grow up free from violence—and when we invest in our kids with events like this, we offer them the support they need to succeed,” said Mayor Lurie. “Through this partnership with the San Francisco 49ers Foundation, we are creating a safe, fun environment where young people can be active, build confidence, and stay engaged in their communities. Thank you to our partners at the 49ers Foundation who know that when we invest in our young people, we build a safer, stronger San Francisco.”

As part of the event, participants will participate in flag football games and skills clinics and receive one-on-one coaching—creating a fun, supportive environment on and off the field.

“We’re excited to kick off this partnership with the City of San Francisco to expand access to 49ers FLAG programming across the city. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to creating more opportunities for youth to stay active, build confidence, and develop life skills through the game of football,” said Justin Prettyman, 49ers Foundation Executive Director. “We’re grateful for the generous support of our presenting sponsor Visa, and to Mayor Daniel Lurie, the San Francisco Police Activities League, United Playaz, and the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department for their partnership in bringing this vision to life.”

Departments included in Mayor Lurie’s violence prevention roundtable efforts include the Department of Children, Youth, and their Families (DCYF), the San Francisco Police Department, the District Attorney’s Office, the Public Defender’s Office, the Juvenile Probation Department, the Adult Probation Department, the Recreation and Park Department, the Human Rights Commission, and San Francisco Unified School District.

An additional group has been convened with community-based organizations to strengthen coordination, ensure alignment, and elevate community priorities. This work has deepened collaboration with violence prevention organizations, school and community violence interrupters, the Street Violence Intervention Program, and community leaders to better align outreach, intervention, and support services. The group’s efforts include targeted support for youth most at risk, increased presence at transit hubs and key corridors, and coordinated outreach in neighborhoods citywide.

“Violence prevention requires strong coordination and shared accountability across our city,” said DCYF Executive Director Sherrice Dorsey-Smith. “These roundtables bring together city and community partners to better align outreach, intervention, and support, with a focus on young people and the neighborhoods most impacted.”

In addition to the youth flag football program started today, the Recreation and Park Department offers flag football programming every fall at parks across the city for kids to get active and be supported. In 2025, the program served more than 100 youth across the city.

“Our city’s parks and recreation centers play a vital role in helping young people find community. But just as important is providing the kind of programming that keeps them engaged, supported, and active,” said Sarah Madland, Interim General Manager of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department. “This partnership with the 49ers strengthens those opportunities, connecting San Francisco youth to their communities and helping them build skills and confidence that last well beyond the field.”