Flag football's growth only increases NFL's popularity globally

SAN FRANCISCO — Dak Prescott snapping the ball to Jalen Hurts is a play that can only be witnessed at the Pro Bowl Games, the centerpiece for the NFL's push to grow flag football on the biggest stage this week at the Super Bowl.

Prescott wasn't just filling in at center, though. He quickly turned and ran backward to catch a lateral from Hurts so he could do what he does best — throw the ball.

Prescott fired a touchdown pass on one of the many creative plays that were part of an entertaining game between the AFC and NFC all-stars — or the players who chose to participate, including quarterbacks Joe Flacco and Shedeur Sanders.

Joe Burrow threw a pass and got it back on a lateral before running in for a score on another one of those made-for-flag trick plays.

While the league's new format for the Pro Bowl has drawn heavy criticism from folks who want to see tackle football, the players enjoy it, the energy in the crowd was electric and it was quite competitive.

''It's a blast,'' 49ers All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey said. ''It's definitely a different game. So many similarities, though. To get the competitive juices going late in that game was a lot of fun.''

Packers All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons couldn't play because he had surgery for a torn ACL in his knee. But he drove around on a scooter and interacted with all the players.

"We come out here and have a good time.''

The Pro Bowl was rebranded in 2022 as the league was beginning to prioritize flag football in an effort to increase the sport's popularity globally, create opportunities for females to play the game and set it up for inclusion in the 2028 Olympics.

''I think it's one of the hottest sports in the world,'' NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said this week. ''It's meeting the demand of people who want to play this game. I'm tremendously inspired when you see people who didn't have access to this game and they have a chance to play. That's particularly true for young women. And to see what it does for them - the building of confidence, the ability to understand what we know from playing the game, about the values of the game and teamwork and discipline, and all the things that come with playing this game - I think it's great to be able to share that with those.''

The week's flag football events kicked off with the 2026 NFL Flag International Championship featuring the top U13 co-ed teams from 14 countries competing in a three-day tournament, culminating in the deciding game on Tuesday.

The NFL also hosted for the second year in a row on Tuesday a showcase of the nation's top girls high school flag football athletes. Thirty-two seniors from high schools across the country, nominated by NFL clubs, competed in a matchup that mirrored the setup of the Pro Bowl Games.

It drew an all-star cast of NFL stars and a large group of credentialed media members.

Two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning and Kylie Kelce, wife of Jason Kelce, served as referees for the game, while Brock Purdy, Jordan Love, Puka Nacua, Michael Pittman Jr. and Kyle Hamilton were coaches.

''I played flag football growing up,'' Manning said. ''I love the sport. It's really about giving everyone an opportunity to play football. You see their excitement and joy.''

Toyota, which is an official NFL Flag partner, also provided a donation to support the installation of lights at a middle school field in the Bay area.

''You can learn a lot of lessons out here on the football field that will help you in life,'' Love said.

The Special Olympics Flag Football team participated in a flag football clinic hosted by All-Pro fullback Kyle Juszczyk on Friday.

Invisalign, which partnered with Juszczyk, also hosted a Girls Flag Empowerment Day on Saturday. USA Flag athlete Ashlea Klam, American flag football player Isabella Geraci, Rome Odunze and Hall of Famer Jerry Rice were set to make appearances.

The NFL wants to become a global powerhouse. Flag football is a path to get there.

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