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Fanatics Flag Football Classic, USA Football, the Olympics & Tom Brady: A Weekend That Changed the Game

  • Steven Kee
  • 3 hours ago
  • 4 min read

Logos Courtesy of Fanatics Studios & USA Football


The Fanatics Flag Football Classic, a groundbreaking global event from Fanatics Studios—the joint venture between Fanatics and OBB Media, Tom Brady and FOX Sports—was held Saturday, March 21, 2026, at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, the same venue that will host flag football at the LA28 Olympic Games. 


The Lead-Up


Organizers earlier this month announced that the event relocation, initially planned for Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was moved to BMO Stadium in Los Angeles due to the Iran war. Event organizers kept the original date, revealing an expanded format that includes Team USA Football; the move notably marks Tom Brady’s first official return to the field since his 2023 retirement.


The newly structured, first-of-its-kind competition features three 12-player teams: two composed of a mix of current and former NFL stars and elite global athletes, and one represented by USA Football’s reigning IFAF Flag Football World Champion U.S. Men’s National Team, bringing together many of the biggest names in sports and the world’s most accomplished flag players.


Founders FFC was captained by Tom Brady and Jalen Hurts and coached by Sean Payton; Wildcats FFC was captained by Jayden Daniels and Joe Burrow and coached by Kyle Shanahan; Robert Saleh served as a defensive specialist for both teams. 


On Wednesday, March 18, Brady/Hurts and Daniels/Burrow drafted their 12-person teams from a pool of 24 current and former NFL stars and athletes, including previously announced participants Saquon Barkley, Myles Garrett, Odell Beckham Jr., Rob Gronkowski, and Logan Paul. Newly inducted Pro Football Hall of Famers Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald also attended as commissioners. The U.S. Men’s National Team was captained by Aamir Brown and Darrell “Housh” Doucette and coached by Jorge Cascudo.


The Fanatics Flag Football Classic followed modified Olympic-style flag football rules: two 15-minute halves with a running clock on a 50 x 25-yard field; all three teams played a round-robin with the top two advancing to the championship. 


The event was produced by Fanatics Studios in association with Shadow Lion, with the telecast handled by FOX Sports. It was broadcast live on FOX Sports, FOX On,e and Tubi from 4:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. ET / 1:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. PT and distributed internationally on the Fanatics YouTube channel and again on FOXSports.com. Actor and comedian Kevin Hart served as host alongside actor and comedian Druski.


Photo by Andrei Ojeda, Stadium Journey


Gameday: High-Energy Play and Tight Competition


The Fanatics Flag Football Classic delivered fast-paced action, a festival atmosphere, and a glimpse into the sport’s rapidly rising profile. Held at a sun-drenched complex that buzzed with families, influencers, and athletes, the event blended competitive spirit with mainstream spectacle — and left both longtime flag fans and curious newcomers buzzing.



Courtesy of Fanatics Studios


Three teams: Founder FFC, Wildcats FCC, and Team USA Football, squared off in a round-robin tournament. The top two squads earned a spot in the championship game.


Fanatics Flag Football Classic Rosters:


Founders FFC Roster

Wildcats FFC Roster

U.S. Men's National Team Roster

  • Aamir Brown

  • Velton Brown Jr.

  • Isaiah Calhoun

  • Nico Casares

  • Mike Daniels

  • Laval Davis

  • Tyler Davis

  • Darrell "Housh" Doucette III

  • Ja'Deion High

  • Jamie Kennedy

  • Laderrick "Pablo" Smith

  • Shawn Theard Jr.


Wrap-Up of the Classic


Team USA humbled Brady's Founders FFC 43-16 after wrecking Joe Burrow's Wildcats FFC squad 39-16. Burrow, Jayden Daniels, Saquon Barkley, and the Wildcats then eliminated Brady, Hurts, and the Founders from the round-robin tournament with a 34-26 victory.


The Founders kept it closer in the championship gam,e but Team USA pulled away 24-14. The national team was unstoppable on offense for three games, scoring on every possession except a final kneel-down in one win.


Team USA Football stunned expectations in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic by defeating Tom Brady’s Founders and Burrows Wildcats through relentless teamwork, discipline, and smart strategy rather than relying on bigger names or star power. The result was a cohesive unit whose collective execution and preparation overcame individual celebrity and influence.


A Showcase for the Sport’s Evolution


Beyond the immediacy of the matches, the Classic signaled flag football’s evolution from casual backyard pastime to structured, marketable sport. Professional-grade fields, pro-level officiating, and on-site analytics booths gave attendees a more polished viewing experience. Coaches leaned into strategic substitutions and situational play-calling usually reserved for full-contact formats, demonstrating the deeper tactical layer now present in elite flag play.


Overall Takeaways:


  • More than Entertainment — it reinforced flag football's potential as a fast-growing, inclusive sport with genuine competitive depth.

  • Accessibility — flag football’s low-contact nature made it approachable for a broader demographic, including mixed-gender rosters and youth divisions.

  • Gearing up for Gold — the classic featuring current and former NFL stars, Super Bowl MVPs, and influencers focused on visibility, growth, and fanfare, building toward a pinnacle at the LA28 Olympics and beyond.

  • Next Chapter — the next installment for former NFL players and athletes from other American football leagues: another opportunity to keep playing and, at the LA 2028 Olympics, their first shot at gold, as NBA and NHL players have had.


If you missed it this year, keep an eye out for expanded brackets and more broadcast coverage next season — the Classic is shaping up to be a must-watch stop on the emerging flag football calendar.


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