LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 05: AFC captain Snoop Dogg, AFC middle linebacker Roquan Smith #18 of … [+]
The National Football League continued its drive to lift Flag football for girls by featuring the “Run With It” collection, and superstar Diana Flores, at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Artifacts that were featured in the ground breaking Super Bowl LVII ad were available for fans to see in Canton, Ohio beginning this month.
Flores was humbled by the inclusion of memorabilia from the historic commercial, telling Forbes.com, “I am so proud and honored to become part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame collection. This is a huge moment for Flag football globally, solidifying the sport as a growing force and symbol of inclusivity. As a woman and Latina, this is a dream come true and shows representation matters, and I hope young girls all over the world will see this and know they can accomplish anything.”
ADVERTISEMENT
“‘Run With It’ was a historic moment for the NFL, as we took our biggest platform of the year to feature not just Flag football, but specifically how women are changing the game and inspiring generations of athletes to come,” said Marissa Solis, NFL SVP of Global Brand and Consumer Marketing, in a press release. “Flag football is one of the league’s most important long-term strategies, and to have Diana’s artifacts officially become a part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame is tangible recognition that Flag football is here to stay and will only continue to grow. She may be the first Flag player to become part of the museum’s collection, but she certainly won’t be the last!”
Several well-known athletes and celebrities were also featured in the commercial, including sports icon Billie Jean King, Cam Heyward, (Pittsburgh Steelers),Jalen Ramsey (Miami Dolphins), Davante Adams (Las Vegas Raiders), Aidan Hutchinson (Detroit Lions) and Sauce Gardner (New York Jets). Flores was also named the AFC Offensive Coordinator during the 2023 NFL Pro Bowl Game in Las Vegas, alongside Peyton Manning.
Flores shot to international fame as both the captain and quarterback of the Mexican Women’s National Flag Football Team, winners of the 2022 World Cup. Playing the game beginning at eight years old, Flores has represented Mexico for almost a decade at the international level. At the World Cup, she scored 23 touchdowns.
ADVERTISEMENT
The inclusion of items in the Hall of Fame both featured and worn in the commercial continues the NFL’s push to grow the game particularly at the high school level. California has made a major push to add ‘Flag’ in high schools, and the CIF, the state-wide interscholastic association, has authorized a post-season championship for 2023-24.
DIANA FLORES, World Champion captain and quarterback of the Mexican National Flag Football Team, … [+]
Many NFL teams are subsidizing and supporting these efforts. In the Philadelphia area, the Eagles supported a spring league in 2023, with Abington (Pa.) going undefeated and winning local bragging rights. Max Preps has developed a national ranking system, with Alonso High School from Tampa (Fla.) topping the list.
ADVERTISEMENT
Earlier this year, Los Angeles Rams’ Johnathan Franklin, Director of Social Justice and Football Development for the Los Angeles Rams said “it started with a conversation with Nike
NKE
With Los Angeles hosting the 2028 Olympic Games, the NFL is lobbying for Flag football to be included in the Games. Host countries are permitted to insert one or more emerging sports in the menu of Olympic competition. In 2024, Paris is hosting the Games, and is sponsoring first-ever Olympic competition in “Breaking” (aka Breakdancing) for both men and women.
The full list of artifacts featured in the “Run With It” exhibit at the Pro Football Hall of Fame include:
- Diana Flores’ jersey
- Flores’ football signed by Billie Jean King, whose appearance was Flores’ “favorite scene” in the commercial, and Sauce Gardner
- Jalen Ramsey’s security officer costume
- Aidan Hutchinson’s bellhop costume
- Davante Adams’ parrot costume
ADVERTISEMENT