Düsseldorf, Germany – Former NFL tight end Antony Auclair is experiencing a career resurgence as flag football rapidly gains popularity, culminating in the announcement of a new professional league backed by NFL legends. The Canadian athlete, who played six seasons in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Houston Texans, and Tennessee Titans from 2017 to 2022, has fully embraced the fast-growing sport, now representing Team Canada in preparation for the World Championships in August.
Auclair closely observed the recent Fanatics Flag Football Classic, where a team of American flag football players decisively defeated active NFL stars like Joe Burrow, Saquon Barkley, and Davante Adams. The event also featured appearances from NFL icons Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski, both former teammates of Auclair’s during his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“It’s fun to confirm that it takes work to get there,” Auclair told a Canadian journalist this week. “In my opinion, NFL players, for the most part, are the best athletes in the world. But you still have to learn the nuances of the sport and how to move. It’s completely different.”
The Fanatics Flag Football Classic garnered an impressive 300 million views across platforms like Fox and YouTube, demonstrating the growing mainstream appeal of the sport. Auclair’s own experience with the Canadian national team underscores this momentum. Canada recently defeated the United States in a tournament held in Los Angeles, a victory that caught the attention of the American team and fueled their subsequent rematch at a qualifying tournament in Panama.
“It was like we rattled them pretty good because of our win against them before that tournament, because they showed up fired up,” Auclair explained. “Our win was mentioned on the Pat McAfee Show. The American team was getting roasted. People over there don’t seem to realize there’s some very good football, and very good flag football, in Canada.”
Olympic Aspirations for Flag Football and Team Canada
Auclair and Team Canada secured their spot in the upcoming World Championships, scheduled for August 13-16 in Düsseldorf, Germany, by finishing third in a qualifying tournament in Panama. A top-three finish at the World Championships is required to qualify for flag football’s debut at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. A second qualifying tournament in the summer of 2027 will determine the remaining three teams.
At 32, Auclair, the elder statesman of the Canadian team, is driven by the prospect of competing on the Olympic stage. “I feel rejuvenated since getting into this,” he said. “It’s different than when I was training for football. I’ve lost a significant amount of weight. I’m running more, having fun playing. It’s like the flame has been relit.” Auclair has reportedly dropped from 265 pounds to 225 pounds since transitioning to flag football.
A Professional League on the Horizon
The growing popularity of flag football received another boost with the NFL’s recent announcement of a partnership with TMRW Sports to create a professional league. The venture has attracted investment from prominent figures including NFL legends Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Joe Montana, as well as celebrated female athletes Billie Jean King and Serena Williams.
While currently committed to Team Canada, Auclair remains open to the possibility of playing professionally in the United States. “For now, my team is Team Canada, but if I could play on a professional team in the United States, I would. I definitely have plans here as a coach with the Rouge et Or [Laval University football team]. I really like that, but if I can give it another two or three years as a professional player, why not?”
The rise of flag football presents a unique opportunity for athletes like Auclair to extend their careers and for fans to experience a dynamic and accessible version of the sport. The combination of NFL backing, star power, and a growing global fanbase suggests that flag football is poised for continued growth and success.
Team Canada will next compete at the 2024 World Championships in Düsseldorf, Germany, from August 13-16. Fans can follow updates on the World Championships through the official website of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF).
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