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American Flag Football League Conducts "Fun" Test Game Ahead Of Planned '18 Season

Michael Vick, Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson were among the former NFLers "putting their star power behind" the inaugural American Flag Football League game last night in San Jose, according to KTVU-Fox. The league founded by financier Jeff Lewis is "hoping to attract former NFL players who still want to compete," as well as "aspiring players." The game is "similar to traditional football," and the league is "using high tech equipment including magnetic flags and sensors inside jerseys to accurately determine where the flag was pulled" (KTVU.com, 6/27). ESPN's Jim Trotter notes last night's game, which served as a test for the league, "was a lot of fun actually," which is what Lewis was looking for. A 16-team tournament next summer "comprised of eight groups of former pros, as well as eight amateur teams," is being planned. However, the "question here now is which former pros will actually play in that tournament." Vick and Owens are unsure about participating in the future, though Johnson "said he does want to continue playing in the league" ("SportsCenter,” ESPN, 6/28). Vick said the AFFL "can be as big as the people involved want it to be." He said, "Obviously, it’s a step down from the National Football League for a lot of players who have played. But we lived that life, we know what the National Football League is about. We know it’s the best game ever, and now this will give guys another opportunity to just play the game and continue to play. It’s a fast-paced game, it’s seven-on-seven, it’s flag, it’s a different dynamic, but at the same time it’s football" (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 6/27).

WAVING THE FLAG PROUDLY: CBSSPORTS.com's Cody Benjamin noted in "prioritizing speed over contact, a more intimate connection with helmet-less athletes and a more relatable rendition of America's favorite fall sport," Lewis is "trying to offer what the NFL doesn't without sacrificing the basics of the game." He said, "We're trying to avoid anything that even unconsciously makes you say, 'I don't know if I'm watching football here.' We'll have both very recognizable athletes and people that we never knew existed. But the only way we'll make it is if the quality of play will be very high. If it is, I promise you that they're going to be lined up out the door to play in 2018" (CBSSPORTS.com, 6/27). YAHOO SPORTS' Jay Busbee wrote the AFFL "could be a lot of fun, if only to see some beloved legends throwing and catching a few balls one more time" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 6/27).

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