The American Flag Football League announced this week that it will host a US Open of Football with more than $2 million in game prizes. The league is preparing for a 1,024-team tournament that will ultimately pit “America’s Champion,” or the best of registered amateur squads, against one of four professional clubs.
Introducing…the AFFL
Uploaded by The American Flag Football League on 2017-11-29.
“As the preeminent professional flag football league in the United States, the AFFL is cutting-edge entertainment played by world-class athletes” reads a statement on the AFFL website. “The 2018 US Open of Football will be an opportunity for players of all athletic backgrounds to play against former professionals, have fun, potentially win thousands of dollars and stake their claim as professional flag football players.
The league had a soft launch last year featuring a number of NFL vets such as Michael Vick, Justin Forsett, Jimmy Clausen and Terrell Owens, among others.
WATCH- Michael Vick on the AFFL
Michael Vick Flag Football League
That game was tied 26-26 at the half, but Team Vick put together a strong second half to emerge with a 64-41 victory over Team Owens. Vick led the way, completing 30 of 40 passes for 547 yards, with eight touchdowns and one interception, and two successful point-after tries. Former NFL tight end Evan Rodriguez (Team Vick) was the leading receiver, with seven receptions for 210 yards and four touchdowns. Retired NFL running back Justin Forsett (Team Vick) had 109 yards on seven receptions.
AFFL Launch Game Recap
Highlights of the AFFL Launch Game in San Jose, featuring Michael Vick, Chad Ochocinco, Terrell Owens and other former pro football players.
Jimmy Clausen and Jerrod Johnson split time at quarterback on Team Owens. Clausen finished 18 of 35 for 302 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Johnson finished 18 of 25 for 264 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. TO had two receptions for 21 yards. Nikita Whitlock led Team Owens wth nine receptions for 152 yards and a touchdown. Najee Lovett was right behind him with eight receptions for 141 yards and two touchdowns.
On defense, Dennis Dixon and Max Seibald each returned an interception for a touchdown for Team Vick. Nick Collins led the way with two interceptions.
Now, they plan to debut full steam ahead, with Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, Marshall Faulk, former NBA slam dunk champ and college football player Nate Robinson joining as players. Vick, Johnson and Faulk will serve as the captains for their individual squads.
Inside the High-Tech Flag Football League That’s Taking on the NFL | WIRED
Jeff Lewis, a former Wall Street guy, is the founder of the American Flag Football League. It’s a new, teched-out version of the game and he believes it’s the future of football. Still haven’t subscribed to WIRED on YouTube? http://wrd.cm/15fP7B7 CONNECT WITH WIRED Web: http://wired.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/WIRED Facebook: https://facebook.com/WIRED Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/wired Google+: https://plus.google.com/+WIRED Instagram: http://instagram.com/WIRED Tumblr: http://WIRED.tumblr.com Want even more?
With $99 per-player registration now open on the league’s website, the league will oversee seven-on-seven, single-elimination play all the way through next summer, when four different regions made up of 256 different teams will be whittled down to an unofficial Elite Eight — four amateur finalists and four professional teams, the best of whom will square off for a $1 million grand prize on July 19.
Regional qualifiers for the tournament are set to be held in Arizona, California, Florida, Texas and Virginia.
The AFFL drew nearly a million YouTube views for its June 2017 launch game.
