Featured Image Credit: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista / Contributor via Getty
Topics: American Football, NFL, Tom Brady
James Taylor
Topics: American Football, NFL, Tom Brady
Tom Brady has launched a rival competition to the NFL, where he'll play again alongside Rob Gronkowski.
The legendary quarterback spent 23 seasons in the NFL, featuring in 10 Super Bowl and winning seven of them, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players ever.
Since retiring, Brady has worked as an analyst for FOX and taken on business ventures, including a minority ownership stake in Championship side Birmingham City.
Now, Brady is set for his next major move, and it will be a surprise return to the field, following the announcement of a new flag football tournament. Flag football is a fast-growing variation of American football that is played without contact, but is set to be included at the 2028 Olympics.
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Brady has been announced as one of the leading faces of the 'The Fanatics Flag Football Classic' which will be hosted at the Kingdom Arena, Riyadh in March 2026.
The new competition have already managed to secure some of the biggest names in the sport.
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Four-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski will again link up with Brady, bringing together one of the NFL's most iconic quarterback and tight-end partnerships. Odell Beckham Jr, who is well known for his fantastic one-handed catches, is also set to feature, while Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett will travel to Saudi Arabia.
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton, who coached the New Orleans Saints to a Super Bowl victory, will bring his experience.
Other NFL stars that have been announced include: Saquon Barkley, Sauce Gardner and Christian Mccaffrey.
The organisers announced that popular celebrities and streamers will also be announced.
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The sport shares many of the same principles as American Football, with the aim to score more points than the opponent through getting into the opponent's end zone and scoring a touchdown.
Offensive teams can do this through running or passing the ball, while defensive sides must try to stop them by pulling one of the flags attached to the ball-carrier.
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If they do so, that then ends the play.
At 'The Fanatics Flag Football Classic' teams will compete in a five versus five format, with matches split into two 20-minute halves. As there are fewer players than an NFL game, the field is also smaller, measuring 70 yards long by 25 yards wide.
Teams will start on their five-yard line and have four downs to reach midfield.
If they are successful, then they will have another four downs to score a touchdown.
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If they fail to do so, then there is a turnover.