CELEBRITY FLAG GAME SET FOR COPPER BOX
If bringing the New York Jets and the Denver Broncos together in London wasn’t enough action for UK NFL fans, the Copper Box Arena will host a star-studded flag football game the day before, to be streamed exclusively live on YouTube.
Showcasing the NFL’s commitment to growing flag football globally and connecting with fans worldwide, the flag football game brings together top talent from across sports, music and YouTube, including music stars Aitch and Gunna, who will serve as captains.
Under center for Gunna’s team will be international flag football star Diana Flores who, among other big names, will have former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson to get the ball to.
“I’m ready to bring my energy to the field and lead my team,” says Gunna, a four-time Grammy award nominee. “It’s great to team up with the NFL and YouTube on something that brings people together.”
Likewise, Aitch — whose debut studio album Close to Home reached number two in the UK Albums Chart in 2022 — was delighted to have been asked to participate, especially knowing that team-mates will include the legendary Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback and stars like Tommy Fury and Phoebe Schecter hoping to make plays.
“When the NFL asked me to be a captain, I was gassed,” Aitch admitted. “Seeing how American football has blown up in the UK has been crazy, and now I get to play on the field with some of the best athletes, creators, and entertainers around the world.”
Kay Adams, host of the daily NFL show Up & Adams will kick off the night with a live pregame show and be joined by former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew for key pregame insights. During the action, former Cleveland Browns wideout Andrew Hawkins will deliver play-by-play highlights, while British TV host and radio DJ Maya Jama and YouTube creator Duke Dennis provide insights throughout the action.
“There’s nothing I love more than the NFL and YouTube, so being able to combine the two has been a dream partnership for me,” said content creator Adam W. “It’s also nice to see my subscribers are loving it just as much as me! I’m hyped to go to London, watch some football, and score some touchdowns myself in the flag game!”
Alison Lomax, managing director for YouTube UK and Ireland said making the game available to as many fans as possible had been an important consideration.
“The game being exclusively live streamed on YouTube will make it more accessible to everyone in the UK and beyond who couldn’t make it,” she noted. “It’s doing what YouTube does best: bringing the most important moments in culture, sports, and entertainment much closer to viewers worldwide.”
The live game will take place at the Coper Box Arena from 7pm BST on Saturday, 11th October, with tickets available via Ticketmaster UK, priced at less than £15.
TEAM GUNNA
Captain: Gunna
Quarterback: Diana Flores – Mexican flag football player
Players:
• Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson – former NFL wide receiver
• Deestroying – YouTuber, San Antonio Brahmas placekicker
• Khaby Lame – Senegalese and Italian influencer
• Speedy Morman – Journalist
• Jamie Laing – TV Personality
• Sam Thompson – TV Personality
• Nella Rose – TV Personality
TEAM AITCH
Captain: Aitch
Quarterback: Ryan Fitzpatrick – former NFL quarterback
Players:
• Adam W – Comedian
• Ashlea Klam – American flag football player
• Tommy Fury – British boxer
• SV2 – Nigerian and English influencer
• Mabel — Singer
• Jay Cinco – Singer
• Phoebe Schecter – NFL analyst, GB flag football player, first British female coach in the NFL