Celebrating Play Football Month in August, the NFL debuts its youth flag football campaign “Let’s Play,” starring Minnesota Vikings wide receiver and newest Global Flag Football Ambassador JUSTIN JEFFERSON.
Created to inspire kids and teens to play flag football, “Let’s Play” depicts a dynamic rallying cry for youth of all ages and genders and highlights the sheer athleticism of the sport, along with its next generation of stars.
The video takes place at a high school, where Jefferson jumps on the intercom to call out students who may be “too much,” “too bold,” “too loud” or “not loud enough.”
Those same students are then shown making impressive moves on the field, showing how fast-paced, competitive and fun the game can be and that in flag football, there’s a position for everyone.
Set to hit song “Superhero” by METRO BOOMIN, the spot features real-life youth flag players, along with cameos from YouTube creator and football athlete DEESTROYING, hip-hop superstar QUAVO, RDCWorld creator MARK PHILIPS, U.S. Women’s team flag football quarterback VANITA KROUCH, NFL legend MICHAEL VICK, and his daughter JADA VICK, a star flag football quarterback who recently received a full scholarship to play at Reinhardt University in Atlanta.
“I’m very honoured to play a role in the NFL’s ‘Let’s Play’ campaign to help bring attention to the great game of flag football and showcase how much fun it is and that anyone and everyone can play,” said JUSTIN JEFFERSON, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver.
“As a Global Flag Football Ambassador, I truly believe in this sport and want to show kids why it’s one of the fastest growing games out there.”
Played by over 20 million people in more than 100 countries, across every continent, flag football is one of the world’s fastest-growing sports disciplines.
It is the most inclusive and accessible format of football, played by people of all ages and genders, with women and girls driving some of the fastest growth.
Jefferson is the latest NFL player to become a Global Flag Football Ambassador. He will be added to the 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 further raise the profile and promote the unique values of one of the world’s fastest-growing sports.
The Flag Football Ambassadors team – first announced ahead of the NFL’s 2022 Kickoff – supports the combined global efforts of the NFL and International Federation of American Football (IFAF) to increase awareness, interest, and participation in flag football internationally and drive forward the development of the game.
“It doesn’t get much better than working with Justin, one of the league’s best NFL players, to show that flag is fun, fast and inclusive, but then integrating authentic fans with great football stories, like Deestroying and Jada Vick, just takes it to the next level” said MARISSA SOLIS, SVP Global Brand and Consumer Marketing at the NFL.
“Flag is the embodiment of ‘football is for everyone,’ and we are continuing to show that year round, from this pre-season campaign up to The Pro Bowl Games, where the league’s best will play action-packed flag football.”
Earlier this week, the NFL announced The 2024 Pro Bowl Games will be held in Orlando, Fl. The event was reimagined last year to feature an exciting format that highlighted flag football.
In addition to the AFC vs NFC flag games played by Pro Bowl players, other events will include the NFL FLAG Championships, organized with RCX Sports.
The NFL FLAG Championships will feature the top girls’ and boys’ youth flag teams from across the country, as well as an International Division with youth teams from across the globe, to reflect the ongoing growth and interest in the game around the world.
Additionally, for the first time ever, the NFL hosted the Flag All 32 Summer Invitational last month, a two-day tournament in Washington, D.C. that showcased NFL FLAG youth teams from across the country.
The tournament was played across two leagues of flag football, 14U Coed and 17U Girls, with each league comprised of 32 teams and each representing a different NFL club. The invitational marked the first time where every club participated in a youth event together promoting flag football.
“The NFL celebrates youth and high school football throughout the year,” said SARAH BISHOP, VP of Brand and Consumer Marketing at the NFL.
“Through camps, activities, and NFL Flag and tackle leagues, our Play Football initiative provides a fun, engaging experience for players of all ages and skill levels, equipping young people with key life skills that are building blocks to success on and off the field.”
With the Fall season of flag football going from August through October, youth players can still register for the upcoming season. For more information, visit NFLFLAG.com or PlayFootball.com to find a league near you.