TOLEDO, Ohio — For the first time, the NFL Flag Football championships will take place in Ohio.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton will host 280 boys and girls flag teams, with three of them traveling from the 419.
“We looked around northwest Ohio for some of the best kids," said 9U Dirty Birds coach Brandon Smith. "And it wasn’t maybe talent or athletics, but we wanted to gel good teams, good families that can come together and go win championships, to show everyone in the world what northwest Ohio is because we’ve just not had that chance yet.”
The 9U Dirty Birds team will be represent the Cleveland Browns, the 11U NWO Rockets will be representing the Detroit Lions and the 15U Dirty Birds team will represent the Cincinnati Bengals.
"Being able to catch touchdowns, it's just fun," said 11U Lions player Quinn Price. "I feel like our team has gotten a lot better so it's a lot funner when our team is better. We’re really excited and there’s really good competition so that will make us better."
15U Bengals Player Tyler Schultz said he takes pride in showcasing the talent the northwest Ohio area has to offer and plans on coming home with hardware.
“Mindset going into it is just go big, hopefully get a championship there," he said. "If we just make it to the semis, I’m happy with that."
He added that he hopes the competition helps get him ready for tackle season in the fall.
"It’s fun, it’s a better way to play football without causing injuries and stuff like that," said 9U Browns player Hudson Smith. "I feel pretty good, there’s a lot of good talent but I think we’re pretty positive. They should watch out for the Dirty Birds."
The championships will run July 19-21 and are available on multiple platforms provided by ESPN, Disney and the NFL.
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