Flag soccer has surged in reputation because it was confirmed to make its debut within the 2028 Summer season Olympics. Since then, opinions on the game have assorted, however Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski firmly helps its progress.
With the Ohio Excessive College Athletic Affiliation approving ladies’ flag soccer as a varsity sport for the 2025-2026 tutorial yr, Stefanski voiced his approval for the transfer. The Browns performed a giant position within the sanctioning of the game, a course of that started in 2022.
“[Flag football is] quick, it is actually enjoyable, it is secure [and] you get to see their athleticism placed on show,” Stefanski stated, through ESPN. “I believe it should be rising much more as a result of it is so enjoyable to play. This can be a nice first step. It is greater than deserving for these ladies to play for his or her excessive colleges and have it sanctioned as a varsity sport. It is simply going to continue to grow, particularly with the Olympics across the nook.”
“It is quick, it is actually enjoyable, it is secure. … It is gonna be rising much more.”
Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski on the expansion of flag soccer 📈 pic.twitter.com/7mfsRBkpi2
— ESPN (@espn) July 19, 2025
Stefanski’s feedback got here on the 2025 NFL Flag Championships at Corridor of Fame Village in Canton, Ohio. The annual three-day occasion crowns the nationwide champions within the NFL-run youth leagues and is streamed stay on ESPN, NFL Community and Disney Channel.
The NFL Flag Championships basically wrap up Stefanski’s summer time trip. The Browns report back to coaching camp starting on July 25, the place their four-man quarterback competitors resumes. Cleveland has but to disclose something from its compelling offseason battle, with nearly each report suggesting a unique declare.
Browns, Kevin Stefanski’s position in rising flag soccer reputation
As dedicated because the Browns are to their very own group, they’ve been simply as lively within the Ohio group. Following a number of proposals, funding affords and trial leagues, Cleveland lastly succeeded in getting flag soccer
Over the past 10 years, soccer has obtained progressive criticism for its head damage danger, significantly to younger athletes. The sport is just too common to ever go away, making flag soccer a doubtlessly profitable avenue.
With the 2028 Summer season Olympics nonetheless just a few years away, permitting highschool athletes to compete in flag soccer on a aggressive degree gives extra athletes with a possible path. The NFL stays undecided on permitting its gamers to take part within the Olympics, doubtlessly creating much more alternatives for others.