The NFL and the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) announced the fifth team of Global Flag Football Ambassadors to amplify and support the long-term growth of the game worldwide.
Legend Aeneas Williams, Chicago Bears WR Chase Claypool and DL Sammis Reyes are among the latest to join an all-star team of men and women, including current American and flag football players, Legends, coaches and officials, as ambassadors who will work together to raise the profile and promote the unique values of one of the world’s fastest-growing sports.
The Flag Football Ambassadors team supports 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.
Earlier this season, the NFL announced the transformation of the Pro Bowl, renaming the event the Pro Bowl Games. Taking place in Las Vegas in February, the week-long celebration of player skills will feature an exciting new format that spotlights flag football.
Played by people 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. Momentum is growing behind the sport following its debut at The World Games in Birmingham, Alabama earlier this year. IFAF will launch the biggest cycle of elite international flag competition, including full continental representation for the first time in 2023.
The newest members of the Global Flag Football Ambassador team are:
- Chase Claypool – Chicago Bears wide receiver
- Fouzia Madhouni – From Morocco, NFL Mentee in the Global Sports Mentoring Program
- Izell Reese – NFL Legend and CEO of RCX Sports
- Sammis Reyes – Chicago Bears defensive lineman
- Phoebe Schecter – Former coach with the Buffalo Bills, captain of the Great Britain women’s national team, IFAF Athlete representative for the International Olympic Committee
- Aeneas Williams – Pro Football Hall of Famer and Arizona Cardinals and St. Louis Rams Legend
The global appeal of the international athletes selected highlights the scope and ambition of the group to grow the game worldwide but also points to the impact international players have on the NFL.
Among the previously announced ambassadors with international ties:
- Osi Umenyiora, the first British-born player to win a Super Bowl. Umenyiora was born in London to Nigerian parents and now works to raise the profile of the game in Europe and Africa.
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions wide receiver who is a German national who speaks fluent German and French, thanks to his German-born mother. His brother, Equanimeous, plays for the Chicago Bears, and is also a global flag football ambassador.
- Desiree Abrams, founded the National Women’s Football Officials Association that seeks to accelerate opportunities for female football officials.
- Diana Flores, the starting quarterback for the Mexico women’s team and won the gold at the 2022 World Games.
- Liz Sowers, the head coach of the women’s flag football team at Ottawa University, where she won the NAIA championship in her first year in 2021.
- Andrea Castillo, won the bronze medal at the 2022 World Games for the Panama women’s flag football team.
- Luke Zahradka, the quarterback of the Italian national flag football team.
“Flag football is an incredibly inclusive sport and I’ve seen it positively impact youth athletes and bring communities together,” said Reese. “I’m honored to have the opportunity to aid in growing the game globally and look forward to making it accessible for all.”
The above story is a news release from NFL Operations
