Updates

The NFL and IFAF announced Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson as the latest NFL Pro Bowl player to become a Global Flag Football Ambassador. Along with NFL Legends Torry Holt and Mike Rucker, Jefferson will be added to the all-star team of men and women, including current American and flag football players, Legends, coaches and officials. Ambassadors work together to further raise the profile and promote the unique values of one of the world’s fastest-growing sports.

Holt and Rucker will appear at the 2023 IFAF Americas Continental Flag Football Championship in Charlotte, N.C. Hosted by USA Football and IFAF, the boys and girls tournament will be held from July 5-7. Holt, a Gibsonville, N.C. native, and Rucker, who resides in Charlotte, will promote the growth of flag football and bring awareness to this global event.

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 drives forward the development of the game.

“Flag Football is an awesome sport and a great way for kids to learn some of the fundamentals of football,” Jefferson said. “I was able to play in the first Pro Bowl Games with flag football as a sport, and it was an incredible experience for me. I love the pace and the concepts of flag, that is why I am so excited about becoming a Global Flag Football Ambassador. It is truly a sport for all, and I can’t wait to work with the NFL to help continue the growth of this great game.”

Currently played by people of all genders and 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, last year with IFAF preparing to launch the biggest cycle of elite international flag competition, including full continental representation for the first time in 2023.

The global appeal of these international athletes 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 itself.

Among the previously announced ambassadors with international ties:

• Desiree Abrams, founded the National Women’s Football Officials Association that seeks to accelerate opportunities for female football officials.
• Andrea Castillo, won the bronze medal at the 2022 World Games for the Panama women's flag football team.
• Elisa De Santis, played flag football for Team France since she was 15 years old.
• Diana Flores, the starting quarterback for the Mexico women's team who won the gold at the 2022 World Games.
• Fouzia Madhouni, Morocco native and NFL Global Sports Mentoring Program mentee.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Sebastian Vollmer, NFL Legend and former New England Patriots tackle, born in Germany, who helped the Patriots to two Super Bowl titles.
• Luke Zahradka, the quarterback of the Italian national flag football team.