Porter Wilson, the inventor of the Sonic Boom Belts & Flags and founder of Flag A Tag the company which produces our equipment, passed away in September of 2000.

We found out about Flag A Tag belts and flags from one of our teams who competed in the early years of the Key West tournament after having experienced a dropped flag (it was Velcro) and upsetting the result of the play and the game. After that experience we knew we had to get a better quality of belt and flags. So, we called up this company, Flag A Tag, and spoke to a very sweet woman on the phone (Madeline) and gentle man (Porter) who sent us over a trial kit. We began to use the sonic boom style (that makes a "pop" sound when you pull the flag) which immediately created a difference in the quality of our game.
Officials could then hear the "pop" sound to assist in their calls for the runs up the middle (which are hard to see) and the players were very happy with the amount of pressure needed to pull off these flags as they required a bit more force than other types of belts and flags. The durability of these belts & flags lasted for years throughout the rain and cold weather, so once a set of flags was purchased, they could be used for many years to come.

Porter was the very first sponsor of our Key West tournament, in the days when female participation was not socially acceptable and was considered "unlady -like" for women to play. Back in the early years, it was very difficult to find companies that were willing to sponsor or even be associated with such a sport for women and so, when Porter was willing to support us financially, it was a great relief. Flag A Tag continued to support our other tournaments, and when we opened the doors for girls and the international countries, Flag A Tag donated the belts & flags, further helping to expand the sport.

Sitting in Porter and Madeline's living room, in Arizona of '96, I listened to Porter as he explained how he came up with the idea to invent this type of equipment. It was back in 1957, when Porter was a Physical Education School Teacher, when the boys in his gym class were playing football and tearing the ball carrier's shirt to tackle the player. Porter used the idea of protecting and attacking one's "territory" by creating the flag and belt (worn by every player) which then became the most important element of the game ­ protecting / attacking the ball carrier's flag.

In the women's and girls game of flag football, this new element opened up the opportunity for females to excel in the new and exciting sport allowing for greater finesse, more dynamic plays, ball handling and running with the ball compared to greater brut force needed to play the tackle game. It opened the doors for girls to participate as parents were too reluctant to allow their girls to play tackle.

Since the development of this piece of equipment (though there have been many variations of the game flag football), technically, it was when these belts & flags were invented, that the sport came to be recognized as the game we know today. Porter Wilson invented our sport of flag football as we know it, and made history by doing so. We continue this history by playing, organizing and expanding the sport to one day professionalize the sport of flag football for women. It is thanks to Porter, not only for his invention, but also for his support of females players.

In tribute to Porter, and respect for the sport, the IWFFA chooses one person each year, since his passing from this earth. to acknowledge and commend any individual who also has done much for girls and women's flag football. We call this award: 'the Porter Wilson Award'. Our Porter Wilson Award recipients receive their special plaque during our Kelly McGillis Classic. For our first year to offer such an award, in 2001, Kelly McGillis herself presented Rodd Johnson of the Jacksonville Boys & Girls Club.

We continue every year (click on link to see other recipients), this tradition and welcome nominations from any league, team, group or individual who knows of a well deserving person which they feel has done so much for girls and women's flag football. Please send any submissions to the office of the IWFFA by end of December of each year.