Tom Brady to Make a Return — in Flag Football
In a move that has caught headlines globally, Tom Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback, is coming out of retirement — but not for the NFL. He is set to play in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic, scheduled for March 21, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. �
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The event is being organized as part of Riyadh Season, a large-scale entertainment and sports festival. � Brady will join retired and current NFL stars such as Rob Gronkowski, Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, CeeDee Lamb, and Myles Garrett, among others. � The three-team tournament will follow a round-robin format, and high-profile coaches like Pete Carroll, Sean Payton, and Kyle Shanahan will be involved. � The event will be broadcast on FOX Sports and Tubi, bringing this spectacle to a global audience. �
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Why This Is Big News
A Unique Comeback: While Brady has retired from the NFL twice now, this isn’t a traditional return. Flag football is less physically punishing than tackle football, but still competitive. His participation signals not just nostalgia, but a genuine interest in contributing to the sport’s growth.
Global Ambition and Olympic Angle: Flag football is gaining traction globally, and it is set to debut as an Olympic sport at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. � Brady’s involvement could be seen as more than a novelty — potentially a step toward Olympic participation or at least raising the sport’s profile.
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Star-Studded Lineup: The event isn’t just about Brady. The presence of other big names — current NFL stars and legends — raises the profile of flag football as more than a casual pastime. It’s packaging itself as a serious exhibition event, with high production values and global broadcast reach.
Promoting Flag Football: The tournament is backed by Fanatics, FOX Sports, and OBB Media, showing major commercial investment in flag football’s future. The move may help accelerate the sport’s growth, particularly in markets outside the U.S.
Risk vs. Reward for Brady: For Brady, this is relatively low-risk. He’s not returning to full-contact NFL play, but he can still compete, leverage his legacy, and be part of an emerging sports product. On the flip side, fans will be curious whether his competitive fire remains and whether he can meaningfully influence this growing sport.
