NFL great Brady to play in flag football event

Brady is a minority owner of English football club Birmingham City

Seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady said he "couldn't be more excited to return to the field" as he announced he will play in a flag football tournament in Saudi Arabia next year.

The former quarterback retired from American football in 2023 following a NFL career during which he won six Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The 48-year-old is now set to join current and former NFL stars for an inaugural flag football tournament in Riyadh on 21 March.

The event will feature three teams in a round-robin format as the sport builds up to making its Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.

"I couldn't be more excited to get the competitive juices flowing alongside some of the game's brightest stars and iconic legends, and bring a truly unique global sports event to fans everywhere," he said.

Current NFL players Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles and Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins will be joined by free agent Odell Beckham Jr. and Rob Gronkowski, Brady's long-time Patriots team-mate.

The teams will be coached by Pete Carroll, Sean Payton and Kyle Shanahan, while organisers say they will announce further participants from "across sports and entertainment".

"I've always admired the power of flag football and how it connects fans of all ages," added Brady.

"It's awesome to be able to showcase the sport on such a global stage while joining together so many incredibly skilled athletes."

What is flag football?

Flag is the most inclusive and accessible form of American football. It is a fast, non-contact version of the game watched by millions worldwide.

Instead of tackling, defenders must pull a 'flag' from the waist of the attacking player with the ball.

It is one of the world's fastest-growing sports and the rapid growth of the women's game was key to flag earning the Olympic vote for 2028.

Flag is governed by the International Federation of American Football, which has 75 national federations as members.

According to the NFL, there are now 20 million players around the world - with a record 31 nations taking part in last year's Flag Football World Championships.