New England Patriots
As tensions rise in the Middle East, Brady’s gridiron return will happen in Los Angeles instead of Riyadh.
Tom Brady Fabio Ferrari/LaPresse via AP
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A flag football game featuring a star-studded roster including former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has been moved out of Saudi Arabia amid tensions in the Middle East, according to multiple reports.
The Fanatics Flag Football Classic will instead be played in Los Angeles on March 21 at BMO Stadium, which is also the planned venue for flag football in the 2028 Olympics, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The game was supposed to take place at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudia Arabia. With tensions rising, military strikes going on in the Middle East, and travel advisories being issued, the decision was made to move the game.
The US and Israel have commenced military strikes against Iran. The US Embassy in Riyadh was struck by Iranian drones last week. The attack caused a “limited fire” and Americans were urged to avoid the compound, Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry told the Associated Press.
While the location of the game has moved, the original date remains the same. The game will be televised on Fox Sports.
Brady and Logan Paul have traded trash-talk jabs about the game, which features a host of past and present NFL stars.
NFL.com reports that Brady and Eagles’ quarterback Jalen Hurts will be the captains of the Founders FFC team. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will be co-captains of the Wildcats FFC team.
They’ll draft teams from a pool of players that includes former Patriots tight-end Rob Gronkowski, Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, and Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, among others.
A third team will be comprised of USA Football players, according to NFL.com.
Flag football is expected to make its debut as an Olympic sport during the 2028 games in Los Angeles. According to Olympics.com, flag football began as a way for American soldiers to entertain themselves during World War II.
The game involves removing fabric flags attached to a ball carrier’s waist instead of tackling. The NFL’s Pro Bowl games involves an annual flag football game. The NFC beat the AFC 66-52 last month in San Francisco during Super Bowl week while the Patriots were preparing for the Seahawks.
Brady, 48, retired from the NFL in 2022. He has an NFL-record seven Super Bowl rings, more than any franchise. He is the NFL’s all-time leader in passing attempts, completions, touchdowns, and yards.
His return to the gridiron will happen in his home state of California.
Khari A. Thompson
Khari Thompson covers professional sports for Boston.com. Before joining the team in 2022, Khari covered college football for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.
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