NFL to Use Pink Penalty Flags Thanks to 11-Year-Old Marlboro Boy

NFL players are no strangers to wearing pink during October. Pink shoes, pink sweat bands, pink gloves. The symbols represent the league's support for Breast Cancer Awareness, but one Marlboro resident wants the commissioners to take it a step further.

It began with a simple suggestion from 11-year-old Marlboro resident Dante Cano.

“My name is Dante Cano. I am 11 years old and I am from Marlboro, New Jersey. I wanted to know if you could use my idea of pink penalty flags in October for breast cancer awareness,” Dante wrote. “Please write back.”

And up the chain it went, straight to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Although October is almost over, NFL officials will carry pink penalty flags for the rest of the month.

Goodell invited Cano and his family to MetLife Stadium this Sunday, where the Asher Holmes Elementary School student will present the pink flags to NFL officials before the game.

“Dante had a great idea and I am looking forward to meeting with him on Sunday to put it into action,” Goodell said in a news release. “Sometimes the simplest ideas can be the best. I applaud Dante for sending in his recommendation.”

This is the fourth year the NFL has participated actively in Breast Cancer Awareness Month, through its "A Crucial Catch: Annual Screening Saves Lives" program with the American Cancer Society.