IFAF-NFL Announcement: Global Flag Football Ambassadors Revealed
Global ambassador team to champion growth of flag football worldwide
Russell Wilson, Cooper Kupp, Dak Prescott among superstar ambassadors
Paris/New York -- Sept. 7, 2022 -- The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) and the National Football League (NFL) today announced the first team of Global Flag Football Ambassadors to champion, amplify and support the long-term growth of the game worldwide.
Prominent athletes Russell Wilson, Cooper Kupp and Dak Prescott lead an all-star team of men and women, including current American football players, Legends, and coaches, as ambassadors who will work together to further raise the profile and promote the unique values of one of the world’s fastest growing sports.
The Global Flag Football Ambassadors team will support the combined global efforts of the NFL and IFAF to increase awareness, interest, and participation in flag football internationally and drive forward the development of the game.
Currently played by men, women, boys, and girls of all ages in more than 100 countries around the world, flag football is poised for even greater expansion as the cornerstone of the NFL’s domestic and international participation and development strategies, and with IFAF preparing to launch the biggest-ever cycle of elite international flag competition, including full continental representation for the first time in 2023.
Flag is a fast-paced, non-contact, creative and highly skilled format that benefits from being easily accessible and inclusive making it the perfect vehicle to attract new players, accelerate growth and promote the message of football for all.
The initial members of Global Flag Football Ambassador team are:
- Derrick Brooks
- Toni Harris
- Cooper Kupp
- Willie McGinest
- Dak Prescott
- Katie Sowers
- Russell Wilson
More players, legends of the game and coaches will join the Global Flag Football Ambassadors team throughout the 2022 NFL season.
Denver Broncos quarterback, Russell Wilson, said:
“I have always been a big fan of flag football, which is why I started leagues in Seattle. It is the ultimate team sport that combines fitness, creativity and strategy in a fast, fun and exceptionally exciting format. The skills and competitiveness at the elite level are truly next level and really showcase everything that is great about the sport.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Dak Prescott, said:
“Flag Football helps athletes develop their overall skill level, speed and agility for the game,” said . “I have watched many athletes play the game on the field and admired their ability to play the game at its fast pace, which is why I am proud to be a teammate of the Global Flag Football Ambassadors. This is a tremendous opportunity to spread the word about our incredible sport so that it can continue to grow worldwide.”
NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations, Troy Vincent, said:
“We are proud and excited to reveal the initial names of our Global Flag Football Ambassadors. A global collection of men and women representing the wider American football family, who will help drive awareness, interest, participation and champion the transitional life values unique to the sport of flag football as part of our strategy to grow the game, in partnership with IFAF.”
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver, Cooper Kupp, said:
“Flag football is one of the fastest growing sports worldwide with huge appeal amongst the younger audience,” said . “This exceptional team of ambassadors will work together to further promote the sport and express our values of diversity, inclusion, and equality to attract and retain even more players, and take flag football to the next level!”
About IFAF: The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) is the international governing body for the sport of American football and is responsible for all regulatory, competition, performance, and development aspects of the game on a global level. Provisionally recognized by the International Olympic Committee, IFAF is a member of GAISF and a signatory to the WADA Code. IFAF has 72 member nations across 5 continents.
About NFL: The National Football League is America's most popular sports league, comprised of 32 franchises that compete each year to win the Super Bowl, the world's biggest annual sporting event. Founded in 1920, the NFL developed the model for the successful modern sports league, including national and international distribution, extensive revenue sharing, competitive excellence, and strong franchises across the board. The NFL is the industry leader on a wide range of fronts.