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IFAF and NFL Add Three Athletes from the Global Flag Football Community to Ambassador Program

The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) and the NFL welcomed Gabi Bankhardt (Brazil), Kodie Fuller (Australia) and Benjamin Klever (Germany) to the Global Flag Football Ambassador program. They join an all-star team of men and women that includes current flag and NFL players, NFL legends, coaches and officials from across the American football eco-system, who work to further raise the global profile and promote the unique values of one of the world’s fastest-growing sports.

Global Flag Football Ambassadors support the combined global efforts of IFAF and the NFL to increase awareness, interest and participation in flag football internationally, driving the development of the game forward.

Bankhardt, Fuller and Klever are representing their countries in the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Finland, which run from Aug. 27-30, alongside more than 600 athletes from 54 international teams.

“We are delighted to announce Gabi Bankhardt, Kodie Fuller and Ben Klever as our newest Global Flag Football Ambassadors, as these athletes take to the field at the biggest ever edition of the IFAF Flag Football World Championships,” said Pierre Trochet, president, IFAF. “These incredible athletes, from three different continents, embody flag football's values and demonstrate the worldwide impact flag is creating. Their stories will inspire more fans to get involved with the sport, especially as we continue to build towards our Olympic debut at LA28."

“Gabi Bankhardt, Kodie Fuller and Ben Klever have each dedicated many years to promoting and increasing the awareness of flag football in their home countries while playing at the highest level,” said Stephanie Kwok, vice president and head of flag football at the NFL. “They are strong role models for the athletic, fast-paced, competitive and inclusive game globally, and we look forward to working with them to further inspire the next generation of flag football athletes around the world.” 

Bankhardt has been playing flag football since 2017 and has established herself as one of Brazil's most prominent flag football athletes, becoming a captain of the Brazilian National Flag Football team and a South American champion. Bankhardt is dedicated to the sport and in addition to being an athlete, also coaches both men’s and women’s teams across multiple levels.

Fuller played tackle football for nine years before playing flag. She played on the inaugural Australian Flag Football team in the 2023 Asia Oceania Championship in Kuala Lumpur, winning silver.

Klever played flag football via NFL Europe in 2002 while attending high school in Frankfurt with a local club team (Walldorf Wanderers). He has been a part of the German national team since 2007, has won seven consecutive German Championship titles and has attended multiple world and European championships.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced in October 2023 that flag football would be included in the LA28 Olympic Games. Its inclusion, led by IFAF and supported by the NFL, showcases a new pathway to play the game at the elite level and develop the sport globally.

Played by an estimated 20 million people in more than 100 countries across 6 continents, flag football is a short, fast, non-contact and gender-equal format. 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 sport's fastest growth.

Global Flag Football Ambassadors 
Ambassador Overview
Desiree Abrams Served as a replay assistant on the Super Bowl officiating crew.
Gabi Bankhardt Brazilian Flag Football National team captain.
LeCharles Bentley NFL Legend who played for the New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns, currently a senior advisor of player performance and development.
Drew Brees NFL Legend and Super Bowl XLIV MVP for the New Orleans Saints, ranks second on the NFL’s all-time career lists in both passing yards and touchdown passes. 
Derrick Brooks Pro Football Hall of Famer and NFL Legend.
Andrea Castillo Panama national women’s flag football team athlete.
Chase Claypool NFL Free Agent wide receiver, born in Abbotsford, B.C., Canada. Played for the Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills
Demario Davis New Orleans Saints All-Pro linebacker.
Nausicaa Dell’Orto Captain of the Italian women’s national flag football team.
Elisa De Santis Played flag football for Team France since she was 15 years old, travelling the world playing the game.
Stefon Diggs Houston Texans All-Pro wide receiver.
Fernando Espinoza Cornerback for the Mexico national men’s flag football team.
Kodie Fuller Australian Flag Football National team member and IFAF Asia Oceania silver medalist 2023.
Diana Flores Quarterback for the Mexico national women’s flag football team and member of the IFAF Athletes’ Committee.
Toni Harris First woman to receive a full college football scholarship.
Torry Holt NFL Legend and 12-year veteran with the St. Louis Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars and New England Patriots.
Darrell Housh Doucette Quarterback for the USA national men’s flag football team.
Jalen Hurts Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowl quarterback.
Lamar Jackson Baltimore Ravens quarterback and 2019 NFL Most Valuable Player.
Justin Jefferson NFL All Pro Wide Receiver for the Minnesota Vikings
Jakob Johnson NFL free agent full back, born in Stuttgart, Germany.
Ben Klever German Flag Football National Team Quarterback and IFAF European gold medalist.
Vanita Krouch Quarterback for the USA national women’s flag football team.
Cooper Kupp Wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams and Super Bowl LVI MVP.
Fouzia Madhouni Morocco native and NFL mentee in Global Sports Mentoring Program.
Eli Manning Two-time Super Bowl champion and New York Giants Legend.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah Cleveland Browns linebacker, of Ghanaian descent through his father.
Dak Prescott Dallas Cowboys quarterback and 2022 Walter Payton Man of the Year.
Taylor Rapp Buffalo Bills defensive back.
Izell Reese NFL Legend and CEO of RCX Sports, the exclusive operator of NFL Flag in the U.S.
Sammis Reyes NFL free agent tight end, born in Talcahuano, Chile.
Tony Richardson 16-year NFL Legend with multiple NFL franchises and member of the NFL’s all-decade team of the 2000s.
Mike Rucker NFL Legend and 8-year veteran with the Carolina Panthers.
Phoebe Schecter Former Buffalo Bills assistant coach, captain of the Great Britain women’s national team and IFAF Athlete representative for the International Olympic Committee.
Katie Sowers Assistant Flag Football Coach at Ottawa University. Named the Italian National Women's Flag Football Team head coach in December of 2023.
Liz Sowers Women’s flag football coach, Ottawa University.
Amon-Ra St. Brown Detroit Lions Pro Bowl wide receiver.
Equanimeous St. Brown New Orleans Saints wide receiver who, like his brother Amon-Ra, is a German national who speaks fluent German and French, thanks to his German-born mother.
Mona Stevens Quarterback of the Germany women’s national flag football team.
Bobby Taylor NFL Legend and 10-year veteran with the Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks. 
Osi Umenyiora British-Nigerian, two-time Super Bowl champion and New York Giants Legend.
Sebastian Vollmer NFL Legend and former New England Patriots tackle, born in Germany.
Charlie Ward Former Florida State quarterback and 1993 Heisman Trophy winner.
Aeneas Williams Pro Football Hall of Famer and Legend who played for the Arizona Cardinals and St. Louis Rams.
Russell Wilson Super Bowl champion and quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Luke Zahradka Quarterback for the Italy men’s national flag football team.

Tags

  • NFL FLAG Football
  • NFL Players and Legends