Changing the culture of youth football in America

Big City Football offers competitive football and cheerleading for youth in grades 2-9. Our mission is to provide an excellent youth football experience for kids without the pressure to win at all costs. We follow seven core values to help us remain focused on what’s most important – the kids.

THE BCFL IS NOW REGISTERING FOR ITS FLAG FOOTBALL SEASON BEGINNING APRIL 1.  FOR INFORMATION CALL 313-912-1526

Core Values of Big City Football

Honesty, morality, discipline, excellence, perseverance, self-control and integrity…These are the Seven core values of Big City Football. Since 2006, we have worked diligently to make this Organization a model for youth football programs across the country. We expect our kids to play Hard, learn well and respect all. We want our kids to be successful in the classroom, in society and On the athletic field. Athletics play an important role in the development of children, but our primary Intention is to mold the minds of young men and women who will become accountable leaders of Influence and integrity in the world.  

A desire for difference

Big City Football began when Kevin and Keith Binion were looking for a credible youth football program for their sons.  Many aspects of youth football became frustrating and they desired to make a change.  They wanted a program free from coaches cursing, swearing and physically abusing kids.  They wanted a program that allowed kids to play, not pay to sit on the bench.  They wanted a program that emphasized character more than winning.  They wanted a program that focused on the fundamentals of the game, not using mere talent as a way to win.

Kevin Binion put a plan together and applied for membership with two local leagues and was denied each time. He decided that he did not need a league to instill these values in kids and started the Big City Football Camp for boys ages 7-14.  The first camp was held in 2006 at Grace Church of the Nazarene in Detroit with 30 kids. The first camp was partially funded by the Skillman Foundation and USA Football.

The next year, the camp tripled in size and was held outdoors at Brenda Scott Middle School.  Kevin Binion was coaching Middle School football at University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy.  During this time, he observed many young men unable to play because they did not meet the weight limit.  He believed that all kids should be allowed to play regardless of weight and that experience was needed to prepare kids to play at the high school level.  Kevin Binion had given a coaching opportunity to Randy Johnson at UD and together they began to form the Big City Football League.  Later, Mr. Duran Bradford joined them and plans continued for the League.

In 2009, the structure for the league was created, but the required number of teams could not be created.  During this time, Kevin Binion was introduced to American Youth Football by Mr. James Parker.  The unlimited structure of AYF was exactly what was envisioned.  The Big City Chiefs were the first team formed by the League and played in 2009 on an AYF schedule comprised of teams from Ohio and Michigan.  In 2010, the League added five teams with its 7th and 9th grade champions representing the League at the AYF National Championships in Orlando, FL.  The teams placed third in their respective divisions, quite an accomplishment for a first year League.

A goal of the BCFL is to expand in Michigan and to model its program across the United States, allowing kids to continue to learn the game of football without the pressure to win at all costs.