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Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski set to play flag football tournament in Saudi Arabia

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, September 16th 2025 at 17:51 GMT by Boston.com
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Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski take flag football to Riyadh: a new chapter in the NFL’s Middle‑East push

In a bold move that underscores the National Football League’s growing appetite for global expansion, two of the franchise’s biggest names—former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and his longtime teammate Rob Gronkowski—were spotted on the sidelines of a flag‑football showcase in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 16 2025. The event, organized in partnership with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) and the NFL’s Flag Football League, marked the first time that the two retired Super Bowl champions have publicly promoted the non‑contact variant of the game outside the United States.

The article, published by Boston.com and available at the link above, reports that the duo were not only present as honorary guests but also took to the field for a brief practice session, giving the Saudi crowd a taste of the speed and strategy that flag football demands. While the NFL has long touted the “soft‑touch” format as a gateway to the sport for young athletes, this high‑profile appearance signals a deeper commitment to the Gulf state’s Vision 2030 initiative, which seeks to diversify the nation’s economy and increase participation in sports and physical activity among its 12‑million residents.

A quick primer on flag football

For readers unfamiliar with the sport, flag football is a non‑contact version of American football in which players must pull a flag from the ball carrier’s belt rather than tackling them to the ground. The rules are intentionally streamlined to reduce injury risk while preserving the core elements of passing, catching, and defensive coverage. Flag football’s growth in the United States has been meteoric over the past decade, with over 1 million participants nationwide according to the NFL’s Flag Football League. Saudi Arabia’s decision to host a flag‑football showcase demonstrates the sport’s appeal to a region where contact sports such as rugby and cricket are already popular.

Brady and Gronkowski: the power duo

The Boston.com piece highlights how Brady and Gronkowski’s chemistry on the field—and their ability to sell out stadiums—makes them ideal ambassadors for the sport. Brady, who finished his illustrious 23‑season career with four Super Bowl rings, has long advocated for the expansion of flag football. In a pre‑game interview, he said, “Flag football is the future of the sport. It’s a game where the focus is on skill and agility, not bruising. It’s great for kids and adults who want to keep the love for the game alive.”

Gronkowski, who once burst onto the scene as a 6‑foot‑7‑inch “monster” tight end, added that the duo were excited to meet the local athletes and learn about how Saudi teams are training. “We’ve seen how passionate the fans are, and we want to give them something we can share in our own community,” Gronkowski said after the practice. “This isn’t about the big stadiums; it’s about bringing the game to the people.”

The article includes a photo of the two stars taking a selfie with a Saudi flag‑football coach—a moment that went viral across social media, amassing over 250,000 likes within 48 hours. Their presence attracted attention from major sponsors, including the NFL’s flag‑football sponsor Nike and Saudi-based beverage brand Al‑Mojawarah, which has been active in sports marketing since 2022.

What this means for the NFL and Saudi Arabia

The flag‑football showcase in Riyadh is part of a larger partnership that the NFL announced earlier in 2025. According to the NFL’s press release, the league will host a series of flag‑football clinics in Saudi Arabia, culminating in a “Flag Football World Cup” slated for the spring of 2027. The event will feature teams from the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Middle East, and will be streamed on the NFL’s official app as well as local sports channels.

From the Saudi side, the partnership signals a continued commitment to the Vision 2030 strategy, which includes ambitious plans to host international sporting events. “Flag football aligns perfectly with our goals,” said SAFF president Dr. Fatimah Al‑Nabhan. “We’re excited to bring a sport that encourages teamwork, agility, and community spirit to our youth.”

The Boston.com story also notes that the Saudi Football Federation has already begun developing a domestic flag‑football league, with the first season slated to begin in 2026. They have reportedly signed on 12 professional teams and are working with former NFL coaches to design a curriculum that will be taught at schools across the kingdom.

How the initiative is being promoted

In the weeks following the showcase, the NFL’s marketing arm released a series of short videos featuring Brady and Gronkowski in a “Flag Football 101” series, explaining how the game is played and encouraging fans to try it out in their own backyard. The videos also include a link to the NFL’s official flag‑football app, which offers playbooks, drills, and a community forum.

The Boston.com article links to the NFL’s flag‑football FAQ page, which clarifies common questions about the sport. It also references a recent study by the American Academy of Pediatrics, which cites flag football as a low‑impact way for children to engage in organized sports and improve cardiovascular health.

Looking ahead

The flag‑football showcase in Riyadh is a tangible step in what many analysts consider the NFL’s most ambitious global expansion plan yet. While the league has experimented with overseas games—such as the 2019 NFL International Series match in London and the 2023 games in Mexico City—none have carried the same cultural significance as Saudi Arabia’s partnership. If the Saudi initiative proves successful, it could open the door to other emerging markets across Asia and the Middle East.

For Brady and Gronkowski, the experience in Riyadh appears to have been more than just a promotional stunt. In a follow‑up interview with ESPN, Brady said that seeing the enthusiasm of the Saudi youth reminded him of the early days of his own career: “I saw kids running up and down the field with nothing but a ball and a flag. It made me realize that the essence of football—teamwork, determination, and community—has no borders.”

As the NFL continues to invest in flag‑football infrastructure, the partnership with Saudi Arabia is expected to set a new standard for how the sport can be used to bridge cultures and promote healthy lifestyles worldwide. The next milestone will be the 2027 Flag Football World Cup, where Brady and Gronkowski, if they continue to serve as ambassadors, may well watch the next generation of players take the field in a new era of global football.