Tom Brady to play in Saudi flag football tournament
Share and Follow


Saquon Barkley, CeeDee Lamb, Christian McCaffrey, Maxx Crosby and Rob Gronkowski will also play in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic on March 21 in Riyadh.

LAS VEGAS — Tom Brady plans to play alongside current and former NFL stars in a three-team flag football tournament in Saudi Arabia next year, the seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback and Fox Sports analyst said Monday.

The Fanatics Flag Football Classic on March 21 at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh also will include Saquon Barkley, CeeDee Lamb, Christian McCaffrey, Maxx Crosby and Rob Gronkowski, among others.

Las Vegas’ Pete Carroll, Denver’s Sean Payton and San Francisco’s Kyle Shanahan will be the coaches.

Brady is partnering with Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, to promote the event. Fox Sports will televise the tournament, and comedian Kevin Hart will be the host.

“It’s a multi-year commitment,” said Brady, a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders. “Obviously, we’re getting off to a good start. The first year will be kind of where everyone’s attention and energy is at. It’s the first time we’ve ever done something like this, but all the players that I’ve talked to are excited about playing. Obviously, with the Olympics coming up in 2028, I think it’s all the NFL players’ first exposure to it, and I didn’t want to miss out on being a part of it.”

Flag football will make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles Games in three years. NFL players are expected to make up a large part of the American roster, but USA Football is looking beyond the nation’s most popular league as it searches for potential players.

Alalshikh, who attended Monday’s news conference with Brady, already was in Las Vegas because he was among the promoters of Terence Crawford’s upset victory over Canelo Alvarez on Saturday night at Allegiant Stadium.

Gronkowski said Brady asked him to be part of the flag football event.

“I was like, ‘There’s no contact, right?’” said Gronkowski, Brady’s go-to tight end in New England and Tampa Bay. “I was like, ‘I already did all my contact in my life. I paid my dues in that department.’ I love to compete. I love to run around. I run routes every once in a while as well. It’s always going to be in my blood because I’ve been doing it my whole entire life. It brings joy out of me.”

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Zelensky demands 60-day ceasefire in exchange for historic vote

Zelensky Proposes 60-Day Ceasefire in Exchange for Landmark Vote

Volodymyr Zelensky is leaning on the potential influence of President Donald Trump…
How teen Junko Furuta endured 40 days of abuse by four boys

Unveiling the Unthinkable: The Harrowing 40-Day Ordeal of Teen Junko Furuta

In the quiet suburbs of Tokyo during November 1988, 17-year-old Junko Furuta…
Bensenville man Ismael Andrade Pino accused of trying to kidnap Jewel employee with special needs from York Road store: officials

Bensenville Resident Faces Charges for Alleged Kidnapping Attempt of Special Needs Employee at York Road Jewel Store

A 53-year-old resident of Bensenville faces serious allegations after being accused of…
Russian drones, missiles pound Ukraine before Zelensky's meeting with Trump

Intensified Russian Attacks on Ukraine Precede Crucial Zelensky-Trump Summit

In a dramatic escalation of hostilities, Russia launched a barrage of missiles…
These are Americans' top New Year's resolutions for 2026: Survey

Discover the Most Popular New Year’s Resolutions for Americans in 2026: Survey Insights

by: Ashleigh Fields, The Hill Posted: Dec 26, 2025 / 05:08 PM…
Former Florida law enforcement officer accused of forcing 6-year-old underwater in hotel pool: report

Ex-Florida Police Officer Allegedly Submerges 6-Year-Old in Hotel Pool, Report Reveals

A former law enforcement officer, known for her talks to students about…
Zelenskyy says he will meet with Trump in Florida on Sunday for talks on Ukraine security guarantees

Zelenskyy Set for High-Stakes Meeting with Trump in Florida: A New Chapter in Ukraine Security Talks

KYIV, Ukraine — This weekend, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to…
Tynesha McCarty-Wroten, charged in Zion pedestrian Darren Lucas' death while allegedly livestreaming on TikTok, out of custody

Zion Tragedy: TikTok Livestreaming Suspect Tynesha McCarty-Wroten Released from Custody in Darren Lucas Pedestrian Death Case

A woman, previously held in custody after being accused of fatally hitting…