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DENVER — So you're the most valuable player of that annual Thanksgiving Day backyard flag football game. Or played tackle football on any level. Or ran track. Or dabbled in basketball. Or toyed with any sport, really. Well, this may be just for you: USA Football is holding talent identification camps all over the country to find that next flag football star. It's "America's Got Talent" meets "American Idol," with the stage being the field and the grand prize a chance to compete for a spot on a national team. Because it's never too early to start planning for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, where flag football will make its Summer Games debut. Know this, though — it's not an easy team to make. The men's and women's national team rosters are at "Dream Team" status given the men's side has captured six of the last seven world championships and the women three in a row. To remain on top, the sport's national governing body is scouring every football field, park, track, basketball court and gym to find hidden talent to cultivate. USA Football has organized camps and tryouts from coast to coast for anyone ages 11 to 23. There are more than a dozen sites set up so far, ranging from Dallas (Sunday) to Chicago (Dec. 14) to Tampa (March 29) to Los Angeles (TBD) and the Boston area (April 27), where it will be held at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. The organization has already partnered with the NFL on flag football initiatives and programs. The numbers have been through the roof, with engagement on social media platforms increasing by 86% since flag football was announced as an Olympic invitational sport in October 2023. The participation of boys and girls ages 6 to 17 in flag football last year peaked at more than 1.6 million, according to USA Football research. "We pride ourselves on elevating the gold standard across the sport," said Eric Mayes, the managing director of the high performance and national teams for USA Football. "We want to be the best in the world — and stay the best in the world." Flag football was one of five new sports added to the LA28 program. The already soaring profile of American football only figures to be enhanced by an Olympic appearance. Imagine, say, a few familiar faces take the field, too. Perhaps even NFL stars such as Tyreek Hill or Patrick Mahomes, maybe even past pro football greats donning a flag belt for a country to which they may have ties. Soon after flag football's inclusion, there was chatter of NFL players possibly joining in on the fun. Of course, there are logistical issues to tackle before their inclusion at the LA Olympics, which open July 14, 2028. Among them, training camp, because the Olympics will be right in the middle of it. The big question is this: Will owners permit high-priced players to duck out for a gold-medal pursuit? No decisions have yet been made on the status of NFL players for the Olympics. For now, it's simply about growing the game. There are currently 13 states that sanction girls flag football as a high school varsity sport. Just recently, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles helped pave the way to get it adopted in Pennsylvania. Around the world, it's catching on, too. The women's team from Japan took third at the recent word championships, while one of the best players on the planet is Mexico quarterback Diana Flores. "Could flag football globally become the new soccer? That's something to aspire to," said Stephanie Kwok, the NFL's vice president of flag football. This type of flag football though, isn't your Thanksgiving Day game with family and friends. There's a learning curve. And given the small roster sizes, versatility is essential. Most national team members need to be a version of Colorado's two-way standout and Heisman hopeful Travis Hunter. Forget bump-and-run coverage, too, because there's no contact. None. That took some adjusting for Mike Daniels, a defensive back out of West Virginia who earned a rookie minicamp invitation with the Cleveland Browns in 2017. "If a receiver is running around, I'm thinking, 'OK, I can kind of bump him here and there and nudge him,'" Daniels explained. "They're like, 'No, you can't.' I'm just like, 'So I'm supposed to let this guy just run?!' I really rebelled at the idea at first. But you learn." The competition for an Olympic roster spot is going to be fierce because only 10 players are expected to make a squad. The best 10 will earn it, too, as credentials such as college All-American or NFL All-Pro take a backseat. "I would actually love" seeing NFL players try out, said Daniels, who's also a personal trainer in Miami. "I'm not going to let you just waltz in here, thinking, 'I played NFL football for five years. I'm popular. I have a huge name.' I'm still better than you and I'm going to prove it — until you prove otherwise." Around the house, Bruce Mapp constantly swivels his hips when turning a hallway corner or if his daughter tries to reach for a hug. It's his way of working on avoiding a "defender" trying to snare the flag. That approach has earned the receiver out of Coastal Carolina four gold medals with USA Football. The 31-year-old fully plans on going for more gold in Los Angeles. "You grow up watching Usain Bolt (win gold) and the 'Redeem Team' led by Kobe Bryant win a gold medal, you're always thinking, 'That's insane.' Obviously, you couldn't do it in your sport, because I played football," said Mapp, who owns a food truck in the Dallas area. "With the Olympics approaching, that (gold medal) is what my mind is set on." It's a common thought, which is why everything — including talent camps — starts now. "Everybody thinks, 'Yeah, the U.S. just wins,'" Daniels said. "But we work hard all the time. We don't just walk in. We don't just get off the bus thinking, 'We're going to beat people.'" Get local news delivered to your inbox!
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No. 21 Creighton's Steven Ashworth doubtful for Players Era Festival opener against AztecsAustralia has defended the independence of the top international court after it issued arrest warrants for Israel's prime minister, former defence minister and a Hamas commander. Login or signup to continue reading The International Criminal Court (ICC) found there were reasonable grounds that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant bore criminal responsibility for alleged war crimes. This includes allegations of using starvation as a method of warfare and directing attacks against civilians in Gaza. The warrants are not a finding of guilt. The ICC rejected Israel's challenge that it didn't have jurisdiction over the matter. Australia respects the independence of the ICC and its "important role in upholding international law", Foreign Minister Penny Wong said. "We have been clear that all parties to the conflict must comply with international humanitarian law," she said in a statement on X. Senator Wong reiterated calls for civilians to be protected, hostages to be released, aid workers to be protected and for more humanitarian aid to flow. Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie said it was troubling that the court had targeted "an elected member of a democracy, of a sovereign nation-state, trying to protect his country from terrorists". The ICC ruled it had jurisdiction to investigate the situation in Palestinian territories and that states couldn't challenge the jurisdiction prior to a warrant being issued, "thus Israel's challenge is premature". Senior coalition figures have repudiated the court's argument it has jurisdiction, arguing Australia's position should be in line with the United States, which rejected the ruling. "They're supposed to be working with nation states and their legal systems, not seeking to supplant them," Senator McKenzie said of the ICC. "We would be looking to obviously stand with the United States on this issue." However, the US isn't an ICC member state - while Australia is - and Washington previously welcomed a warrant issued against Russian President Vladimir Putin for atrocities in Ukraine. Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the European Commission foreign affairs representative Josep Borrell said they would comply with the ruling. An arrest warrant was also issued for Hamas' military wing commander Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri for the crimes against humanity of murder, extermination, torture, and rape and other forms of sexual violence. There were reasonable grounds to believe he was also responsible for the war crimes of murder, cruel treatment, torture, taking hostages, outrages upon personal dignity, and rape and other forms of sexual violence, the court found. The decision by the independent court showed international humanitarian law needed to be upheld through fair and impartial judicial processes in all circumstances, ICC prosecutor Karim Khan said. "Our collective mind and focus should be on the victims of international crimes in Israel and in the State of Palestine," he said in a statement after the warrants were issued . Arrest warrants for the leader of Hamas in Gaza and the former head of its political bureau were withdrawn following confirmation of their deaths. The official death toll in Gaza has eclipsed 44,000, according to the local health ministry, with tens of thousands more missing or believed to be buried under rubble. Israel's war in Gaza was sparked by listed terror group Hamas' attack on October 7, 2023 that killed 1200 people and resulted in 250 hostages being taken, according to Israel's tallies. Almost 100 hostages are still missing, with 35 believed to be dead. 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“Republicans buy sneakers too.’’ Ideally, that’s all I really want to say about TJ Perenara using the All Blacks haka for political purposes and a variety of players posing with the Tino Rangatiratanga flag, following the team’s 29-11 win over Italy. One person’s unifying force is another’s dividing one and I tend to think an apolitical All Blacks team sits more comfortably with fans and sponsors. Sure, advance all the causes you like in a private capacity, just maybe not when you’re meant to be representing the nation. Basketballer Michael Jordan is credited with the above quote and was criticised at times during his storied career for not overtly adopting political stances. You can’t say the same about Perenara. TJ Perenara. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images) I’ll have to assume the prelude he used for the team haka in Turin was directed at the two thirds of New Zealanders that polling suggests want a debate about the status of the Treaty of Waitangi. After all, despite being the people Perenara was eyeballing on Sunday morning (AEDT), I’m not sure the Italian rugby team has too many treaty obligations towards Maori. I wasn’t going to mention any of this in the wake of the final Test of the All Blacks’ season, given I don’t put too much stock in the pronouncements of public figures. It’s just that both All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson and assistant Jason Ryan have identified a poor mindset and preparation as reasons why the team played beneath themselves against Italy. That can happen when advocating for Maori sovereignty, as Perenara did personally and the team by association, becomes a priority. My other reservation in raising any of this, is a dislike of politics and politicians. But, unfortunately, Perenara made the haka and the All Blacks political when he both chose to adapt it and then explain his reasons for doing so after the match. I’m not sure that helped the All Blacks on Sunday or, more broadly, New Zealand. Reaction to Perenara blurring the line between politics and sport has been for some to throw their arms around the halfback in support and others to declare they’ll never watch the All Blacks again. The haka was already a hot topic here, after MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke led one in Parliament. Equally, that haka and the bill she tore up in disgust, has also become a meme, not least among Manchester United fans who, in the wake of Tottenham’s 4-0 win in the weekend, want Manchester City to tear up the contract they gave to manager Pep Guardiola. In a New Zealand context – no matter how hollow the threats might turn out to be – we don’t want people turning their backs on our national team because of a haka or a flag. Perenara no doubt feels he had right on his side. By the looks of things, he also had the bulk of the team. If you stand on that kind of soapbox before a match, it’s incumbent upon you to then play well. The fact the All Blacks didn’t do that – and offended some fans in the process – sours what was becoming a tolerable season for the team. The All Blacks pose with the Tino Rangatiratanga flag after the test match against Italy in Turin. Is this appropriate? Tell me why/why not in the comments. #ITAvNZL pic.twitter.com/ccqPwG7Mcq They were bad at home against England, then worse against Argentina. They kind of choked against South Africa, then played like headless chooks in their first encounter with Australia. But the bulk of the footy since has been more in keeping with what we’re entitled to expect from the All Blacks side. I say this a bit, but every other team in this country makes do with less so that the All Blacks can have more. The game at community level runs on the smell of an oily rag so that no expense is spared on the All Blacks. Professional teams contract players they can only use sparingly to ensure those players are right for international duty. We all accept the challenges or consequences associated with that because we believe in the greater good. Such is our pride in the men in black and our desire to see them dominate the world stage that we put up with any inconvenience. Unfortunately, there are those who believe the All Blacks thumbed their nose at many in the rugby public on Sunday. That the team decided their vision of a right and just New Zealand had to be given voice, regardless who was insulted in the process. Perenara is a leader. I first dealt with him when he was 16 and those qualities shone through even then. Years later, we discussed how his greatest impact upon this country might come after his playing days had ended. “toitū te tiriti o waitangi” pic.twitter.com/9hVcurHKfs I still believe that to be the case. Sunday, sadly, was premature. Perenara was still an All Black and still representing all of New Zealand, rather than just those with whom he’s philosophically aligned. He’ll have plenty of time to do all that. This just wasn’t the moment.
