The Pro Bowl Games 2024 Championship on Sunday February 4 saw more than 55,000 fans packing out the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida to watch an all-star team representing the National Football Conference (NFC) overcome the
The annual all-star event – the second year running the Pro Bowl Games has adopted the flag football format – again shone a light on the fast-growing global sport. Flag football – the short-format, gender-equal, non-contact version of football – was center-stage after a historic 2023 in which the sport was confirmed for inclusion at the LA28 Olympic Games.
Team Ghana player celebrating during International NFL Flag Championship playoffs
As well as seeing leading National Football League (NFL) athletes take to the field in a celebration of flag football, the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) was in Orlando to meet partners from the NFL and watch the sport’s next generation of athletes compete at the Intern
IFAF President, Pierre Trochet:
“This weekend has once again demonstrated to millions of fans, including the huge
crowds here in Orlando, the excitement and dynamism of flag football and the great momentum behind the sport’s global growth. The expanded International NFL Flag Championships and the AFC v NFC finale were showcases of creativity, skill and agility celebrating all levels of football – from youth to elite players.
“As we build momentum towards LA28 and beyond, IFAF is delighted to be working hand-in-hand with our NFL partners so we can observe and learn from their best-in-class approach to sport presentation and fan engagement. The NFL’s experience and insights will be invaluable as we work to deliver the best and biggest Flag Football World Championship in Finland in August.
“The 2024 NFL Pro Bowl Games in Orlando has once again seen flag football highlighted on a world stage,” said Peter O’Reilly, Executive Vice President, club business, league events and international at the NFL. “From the young athletes from countries around the world competing to our NFL stars playing the sport on gameday, the momentum and excitement around flag football as we head toward LA 2028 continues to accelerate, and we look forward to developing the game globally with our partners at IFAF in the years ahead.”
NFL Executive Vice President of Club Business and League Events Peter O’Reilly, left, and President of International Federation of American Football Pierre Trochet watch from the sidelines the International NFL FLAG Tournament Playoffs on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (Gary McCullough/AP Images for the NFL)
Diana Flores, Global Flag Football Ambassador and captain and quarterback of the Mexico national women’s flag football team:
“It has been fantastic to see flag football back in action at the 2024 Pro Bowl Games, especially following a momentous year in 2023 which saw players all around the world inspired by flag’s landmark inclusion at LA28.
“Not only has the Pro Bowl Games showcased the remarkable athleticism and creativity of flag football athletes, but it has also been a platform for the International NFL Flag Championships. These events highlight the global growth of the sport, inspiring the next generation of athletes everywhere who can now dream of one day representing their country at the Olympics.”
IFAF President Pierre Trochet was joined in Orlando by IFAF Managing Director Andy Fuller as well as Global Flag Football Ambassadors, including:
- Demario Davis, New Orleans Saints All-Pro linebacker
- Stefan Diggs, Buffalo Bills All-Pro wide receiver
- Darrell Housh Doucette, USA national men’s flag football team quarterback, The World Games gold medallist
- Diana Flores, Mexico national women’s flag football team captain & quarterback, The World Games gold medallist, Chair of the IFAF Athletes’ Committe
e - Toni Harris, First woman to receive a full college football scholarship
- Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback
- Vanita Krouch, USA national women’s flag football team captain and quarterback, The World Games silver medallist
- Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys quarterback
- Izell Reese, NFL Legend and CEO of RCX Sports
- Phoebe Schecter, former coach for Buffalo Bills, captain of Great Britain women’s national team, IFAF athlete representative
- Mona Stevens, German women’s national flag football team quarterback
- Bobby Taylor, NFL Legend, former cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions wide receiver
- Sebastian Vollmer, NFL Legend, former New England Patriots tackle
The 2024 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando comes ahead of this year’s IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland which will be the largest edition to date and the first fully gender-equal edition. International teams from all over the world will compete in Lahti following the biggest-ever international cycle of flag football competition, featuring Contine