Tag: flag football

Jan 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; ESPN college football and NFL analyst Robert Griffin III reacts on the sidelines before a 2024 AFC divisional round game between the Houston Texans and the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Ex-NFL QB Robert Griffin III leaves USA flag football team

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III is no longer part of the U.S. flag football team as it prepares for the sport’s Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028.

The 36-year-old former Heisman Trophy winner announced Friday on X that he had removed himself from the 2026 USA Football selection process due to a scheduling conflict.

“A commitment honoring our military veterans is preventing me from attending training camp and that’s not fair to the other 23 guys competing for a spot this year,” Griffin posted. “Looking forward to seeing the squad go to Germany and win Gold and still excited for LA28.”

In March, Griffin was one of four quarterbacks named to a 24-man training camp roster. The next camp is scheduled for May 21-24 in Chula Vista, Calif.

The roster will be pared down to a 12-man squad that will represent the United States at the 16-team International Federation of American Flag Football World Championships from Aug. 27-30 at Dusseldorf, Germany.

Since last playing in the NFL during the 2020 season, Griffin has worked as a football analyst for ESPN and Fox.

The No. 2 overall pick by Washington in the 2012 NFL Draft out of Baylor, Griffin earned NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and made the Pro Bowl in 2012. He passed for 9,271 yards with 43 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in 56 career NFL games (42 starts) with Washington (2012-14), the Cleveland Browns (2016) and the Baltimore Ravens (2018-20). He also rushed for 1,809 yards and 10 scores.

–Field Level Media

Aug 16, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Delaware Women’s flag football teams compete during halftime of a game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Report: Big 12 explores adding flag football as women’s sport

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Big 12 is considering becoming the first FBS conference to sponsor women’s flag football, Sports Business Journal reported Tuesday.

Play could begin as soon as 2028 with a minimum of six schools participating, per the report.

The exploratory efforts are being led by Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark and Scott Draper, the conference’s chief football and competition officer along with assistance from the NFL.

“We’re trying to meet the moment,” Draper told SBJ. “Our goal here is growth. Our goal is to advance Big 12 membership opportunities and growth for (the conference). We see this as an opportunity to do that.”

Flag football is indeed having a “moment,” with the sport approaching its debut in the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028.

More than 65 NCAA schools sponsor women’s flag football at the club or varsity level. It also is offered at the high school level in at least 39 states, per SBJ.

“We think this is a natural extension of what we’re currently doing to grow in the Big 12, then the partnership with the NFL comes into play,” Draper said. “It’s well documented what they’re doing around flag. … It really helps with their help and focus on flag. With our focus on flag, we’ll be able to really accelerate the growth of the sport not only at the collegiate level, but at the high school level.”

The Big 12 is one of the Power 4 conferences and currently has 16 full-member schools: Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, BYU, UCF, Cincinnati, Colorado, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas Tech, Utah and West Virginia.

–Field Level Media

Mar 21, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Founders FFC quarterback Tom Brady (12) throws ball against Logan Paul of Wildcats FFC during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

NFL-backed flag football event averaged approx. 650K viewers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Fanatics Flag Football Classic didn’t exactly resonate with the masses this past weekend, as it drew an average television audience of 641,000 on Fox for the round-robin competition.

The title game didn’t draw much better, averaging 649,000, per FrontOfficeSports.com.

It likely did itself no favors, however, by going up against the second round of the men’s NCAA Tournament and the first round of the women’s tourney.

Seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady joined current NFL stars Davante Adams and Saquon Barkley, among others, in competing in the event that hastily was shifted from Saudi Arabia to BMO Stadium in Los Angeles due to unrest in the Middle East.

The NFL is attempting to throw its weight behind the sport ahead of its Olympic debut in the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games.

–Field Level Media

Feb 2, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) during NFC practice at the NFL Flag Fieldhouse at Moscone Center South Building. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Dak Prescott tosses 4 TDs as NFC wins fourth straight Pro Bowl Games

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott threw four touchdown passes to lead the NFC to a come-from-behind 66-52 win over the AFC in the Pro Bowl Games Tuesday in San Francisco.

Prescott completed 11 of 13 passes for 169 yards with a pair of touchdowns in each half, as the NFC secured fourth win in as many years of this updated version of the All-Star event.

This year’s games did away with the skills competitions and was solely the flag-football game to build hype around the sport, which is coming to the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

Prescott’s Dallas teammate CeeDee Lamb led the NFC with 80 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Another Cowboys player, tight end Jake Ferguson, also had two touchdown catches and 57 receiving yards, and Lions wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown caught five passes for 68 yards and a score.

Jared Goff (149 yards, two TDs) from Detroit and Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts (92 yards, three TDs) also saw the field as NFC QBs.

An Ohio-centric quarterback room led the AFC’s offense. Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders, and Bengals QBs Joe Burrow and first-time Pro Bowler Joe Flacco each threw for two touchdowns, but also threw a combined four interceptions.

Texans receiver Nico Collins led the AFC with 93 receiving yards and a score on five catches, and Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase caught seven passes for 76 yards with a receiving TD and an interception returned for another score.

After the NFC jumped out to a 14-0 lead, the AFC responded with 32 straight points, featuring a pair of safeties, a 50-yard interception return by Chase and both a touchdown catch and an extra-point grab from Broncos offensive lineman Garrett Bolles.

But the NFC cut the deficit to 44-36 at halftime and scored 24 straight second-half points to take a 60-52 lead with 6:21 left on a 10-yard Cowboys connection from Prescott to George Pickens, who was named the offensive MVP.

Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr., the game’s defensive MVP, came up with a tip-drill interception on the ensuing AFC possession, and the NFC iced the game with Hurts’ touchdown to Lamb with 24 seconds left.

49ers legend Jerry Rice served as honorary coach for the NFC, with San Francisco quarterback Steve Young in the same role for the AFC.

–Field Level Media

U.S. to play Mexico in flag football during Super Bowl week

Posted on | by Field Level Media

After NFL stars showcase their talents in a flag football game as part of Pro Bowl festivities next month, Team USA will clash with rival Mexico as a precursor to the sport’s Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

The Pro Bowl games, now scheduled during Super Bowl week, will take place in San Francisco with NFL players competing on Feb. 3. Two days later, the U.S.-Mexico exhibition at the Moscone Center is expected to attract more attention to the sport, which was added to the Olympics in October 2023.

In the 2028 Games, former or current NFL players might join current flag football stars on the team rosters. USA Football oversees the selection and training of both the men’s and women’s Olympic teams.

“The opportunity to have NFL players join our elite talent pathway leading up to the LA28 Olympics is exciting for athletes and fans alike,” USA Football CEO Scott Hallenbeck said Tuesday in a statement. “We have one goal for the Olympics, and that’s to win the men’s and women’s gold medals. Support and interest from elite athletes across the sports world only strengthens our chances of success as we seek to build the best teams possible.”

Though the Team USA-Mexico matchup is considered a “friendly,” both teams are adamant that their players will give it their all for bragging rights. The countries were slated to compete in the gold medal match at the IFAF Americas Continental Championship last September in Panama, but the event was canceled due to severe weather.

“This matchup is overdue. Our guys want it, and I’m sure Team Mexico does, too,” Team USA quarterback Darrell “Housh” Doucette III said. “We plan to approach this exhibition with the same preparation and intensity as a regular game. This is a dream opportunity to showcase the sport we all love while at the center of football’s biggest stage.”

“This opportunity that both teams are going to have is incredible,” said defensive back Ramon Alonso Gaxiola, who is also Mexico’s captain. “Playing a final is something we have always dreamed of.”

–Field Level Media

Aug 8, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Retired Hall of Fame New England Patriot player Tom Brady talks with Brian Hoyer during the first half of a game against the Washington Commanders at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Tom Brady to play in inaugural flag football tourney in Saudi Arabia

Posted on | by Field Level Media

In what could be a step toward competing for an eventual gold medal, Tom Brady announced on Monday that he would compete at an inaugural flag football tournament in Saudi Arabia in March 2026.

Brady, the 15-time Pro Bowler and seven-time Super Bowl champion quarterback, retired from the NFL following the 2022 season.

The Fanatics Flag Football Classic is an exhibition tournament that will feature three teams in a round-robin format. Brady, 48, is joining current and former league stars in participating.

That list includes current standouts Saquon Barkley (Eagles), Tyreek Hill (Dolphins), Christian McCaffrey (49ers), Sauce Gardner (Jets), Myles Garrett (Browns), CeeDee Lamb (Cowboys) and Maxx Crosby (Raiders), as well as free agent Odell Beckham Jr.

Brady’s former teammate Rob Gronkowski is also committed, while the three coaches are confirmed to be Pete Carroll, Sean Payton and Kyle Shanahan.

“I will be bringing home the trophy,” Brady said.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced in 2023 that flag football will be included in the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, and Brady might be aiming for a spot in that competition.

In May, the NFL granted its players permission to participate in flag football at the 2028 Summer Olympics, citing specific regulations as part of the decision, such as overseeing proper playing surfaces and injury protections for NFL teams.

Brady, a three-time league MVP who spent 20 seasons with the New England Patriots and three more with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is the NFL’s all-time leader in games started (333), completions (7,753), attempts (12,050), yards (89,214), touchdown passes (649), fourth-quarter comebacks (46) and game-winning drives (58).

–Field Level Media

High school players take part in a girls flag football skills camp, Thursday, July 17, 2025, in Canton.

Youth teams representing Texans, Jags capture NFL flag football titles

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Youth football teams representing the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars won the High School Girls and 14-Under Boys divisions on Sunday at the second annual NFL Flag Championships in Canton, Ohio.

The Texas Fury Texans shut out the Bad Rabbits Cowboys 19-0 in the girls final after falling in the semifinals of the inaugural tournament.

Game MVP Emery Beckett was 8-for-8 passing for 102 yards and three touchdowns. She connected with Zahara Hill for a 12-yard score, Kelsey Quinn for another first-half TD and Hill again on a 3-yard toss in the game’s final five minutes.

Kaitlyn Reynolds and Sonya Chalil recorded interceptions for the Fury defense.

The Bad Rabbits, representing the Dallas Cowboys, defeated AA Select (Philadelphia Eagles) 7-0 in one semifinal, while the Texas Fury edged Conquer (Los Angeles Chargers) 7-6.

On the boys’ side, the Jaguars Elite and tournament MVP Brysen Wright posted a 13-0 victory over Showtime, which represented the Atlanta Falcons.

Jaguars quarterback Dalton Motes was 8 of 12 for 108 yards and two touchdowns — a 30-yarder to Jaiden Barnett and a 15-yarder to Ry’land Williams.

Wright broke up a pass late in the game when Showtime went for it on fourth down. Wright, 14, scored 10 TDs in seven tournament games, including a tumbling one-handed catch in traffic that went viral and caught the attention of NFL stars Patrick Mahomes and Bijan Robinson, among others.

Showtime was 1 of 6 on third-down conversions despite recording more passing yards (117-104). Showtime QB Januel Morales was 8 of 13 for 73 yards and one interception, while teammate Vincenzo Mena was 4 of 10 for 51 yards.

The Jaguars Elite eliminated RFP (Buffalo Bills) 41-12 in one semifinal, while Showtime topped High Intensity (San Francisco 49ers) 13-7 in the other.

The three-day competition involved about 300 teams representing all 32 NFL clubs across 12 divisions. The event also featured international contests with eight teams traveling from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Great Britain, Mexico and Puerto Rico.

Flag football continues to surge in popularity ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics, where it will debut as an official sport in Los Angeles. The NFL announced in May that its players will be allowed to compete.

–Field Level Media

Taj Holeman, 8, of Texas tries his arm at the NFL Experience during the 2024 NFL Flag Championships games at ForeverLawn Sports Complex. Thursday, July 18, 2024.

Flag football championships return to Canton next month

Posted on | by Field Level Media

About 300 teams representing all 32 NFL clubs will compete in the second annual flag football championships next month in Canton, Ohio.

The league announced details Thursday for the NFL Flag Championships from July 17-20, with 3,000 boys and girls participating across 12 divisions.

“We are thrilled to bring the NFL Flag Championships presented by Toyota back to Canton for the second consecutive year,” said Stephanie Kwok, NFL vice president and head of Flag Football. “The Championships are a strong showcase for the growth of flag football at the grassroots level across the country and around the world. Flag is inclusive and accessible for all, and we are excited to see the competition across all age groups at the 2025 NFL Flag Championships.”

Flag football continues to surge in popularity ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics, where it will debut as an official sport in Los Angeles. The NFL announced last month that its players will be allowed to compete.

In the July event, eight international teams are participating, traveling from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Great Britain, Mexico and Puerto Rico.

ESPN will showcase 15 games from the girls’ high school division, 15 from the boys’ under-14 division and three from the international tournament.

“The NFL Flag Championships are quickly becoming the ultimate summer showcase for one of the world’s fastest growing sports,” said Julie Sobieski, ESPN senior vice president of league programming and acquisitions. “For the second consecutive year, our presentation and expansive global distribution will spotlight the exceptional talent of the young boys and girls competing, while also celebrating the inclusive, fast-paced, and accessible nature of flag football. This year’s tournament will not only build upon the tremendous success of the inaugural event, but will also add to the sport’s immense momentum in recent years.”

–Field Level Media

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell welcomes fans to the 2025 NFL Draft before the first round on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The draft runs through April 26. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Roger Goodell: USA Football will select Olympic flag football rosters, not NFL

Posted on | by Field Level Media

While the NFL has approved active players to participate in the 2028 Summer Olympic flag football tournament in Los Angeles, commissioner Roger Goodell made it clear that the NFL will not determine which players will compete for the United States.

Rather, Goodell said during this week’s meeting of league owners, the roster selection will come down to a separate group: USA Football.

“That’s actually a function of USA Football that will be making that decision,” Goodell said. “The NFL will not have any involvement in that selection process.”

According to USA Football bylaws, Goodell will appoint three individuals to the 15-member board with at least two of them serving on the five-person executive committee.

This all comes just a few days after NFL owners unanimously voting in favor of allowing active players to compete in flag football at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. No more than one player from each NFL team will be able to participate in the games, which will feature six men’s teams and six women’s teams consisting of 10 players apiece.

“I know first-hand that the inclusion of flag football in the Olympics has sparked a tremendous amount of excitement among NFL players interested in the chance to compete for their country on the world stage,” Goodell said at the time. “We are thrilled that they will now have that chance.”

The 2028 Summer Games are scheduled to take place from July 14-30, 2028. NFL players generally are off from mid-June until the start of training camp in late July.

–Field Level Media

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell welcomes fans to the 2025 NFL Draft before the first round on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The draft runs through April 26. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Report: NFL to OK participation in flag football at Olympics

Posted on | by Field Level Media

NFL team owners are expected to vote in favor of allowing players to compete in flag football at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics during Tuesday’s spring league meeting in Minneapolis, ESPN reported.

At least 24 of the 32 team owners need to approve the resolution.

Should that be the case, the league will then need to come to terms with the NFL Players Association as well as the International Olympic Committee.

Also on the table is the Green Bay Packers’ proposal to ban the “tush push” short-yardage play commonly used by the Philadelphia Eagles, as well as the Detroit Lions’ request to reseed playoff teams based on their regular-season record. ESPN, however, reported that those votes are not expected until Wednesday.

Should the flag football proposal be approved, it would permit no more than one player from each NFL team to participate. It also would allow a team’s designated international player to play for his home country.

The NFL proposal includes a few caveats that would protect teams in case of injuries, including providing salary cap credit for any players hurt while participating and establishing “certain minimum standards for medical staff and field surfaces.”

The 2028 Summer Games are scheduled to take place from July 14-30, 2028. NFL players generally are off during most of that period before the start of training camp.

–Field Level Media