ORLANDO, Fla. — As the countdown to the Olympic flag football tournament begins, one thing is clear: the U.S. team would greatly benefit from having a former LSU wide receiver on their roster.
During the recent Pro Bowl Games, four former Tigers made a significant impact, combining for eight touchdowns in a flag football match that ended with the NFC defeating the AFC 76-63. Among the standout performances, rookie Malik Nabers from the New York Giants scored two touchdowns, while Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson added another to his tally. Jefferson finished the game with six receptions for 46 yards, and Nabers recorded five catches for 62 yards.
Jefferson expressed his excitement about the team’s performance, stating, “We’re on top for sure. It is definitely great to see the guys having fun out here, scoring touchdowns, just making big plays. That’s what we normally do, so it’s good to see us coming out here and doing the same thing.” The NFC team solidified their victory in the second half with two interception returns for touchdowns, showcasing their defensive strength and allowing coach Eli Manning to secure his third consecutive win over his brother, Peyton, who coached the AFC team. Key defensive plays came from Budda Baker of Arizona and Byron Murphy of Minnesota, highlighting the event’s emphasis on offensive skills.
Jared Goff played a pivotal role in the NFC’s success, starting the game strong with a nearly flawless performance in a skills competition earlier in the week. He completed 10 of 11 passes for 126 yards and threw three touchdowns, earning him MVP honors alongside Murphy. Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield also contributed with three touchdown passes on eight completions, including a notable connection with Nabers.
The trend of former LSU players finding the end zone dominated the game, which otherwise lacked competitive tension. Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase made a splash by scoring three touchdowns, including a 45-yarder from Russell Wilson late in the game, while Jacksonville’s Brian Thomas Jr. added two touchdowns for the AFC. After his third touchdown, Chase celebrated with a backflip and his signature dance move, “the Griddy,” popularized through his college teammate, Jefferson.
The NFC began the day with a 14-7 lead following six skills competitions held on Thursday night, with the NFC further extending their advantage by winning events like the “Great Football Race” and dominating a tug-of-war challenge on Sunday. The AFC team, anchored by Dexter Lawrence of the New York Jets, Tampa Bay’s Vita Vea, and Seattle’s Leonard Williams, faced difficulties in the tug-of-war, being pulled into a foam pit twice throughout the best-of-three event.
Dallas Cowboys return specialist KaVontae Turpin brought impressive speed and strength to the game. Utilized by Eli Manning as a pass rusher, Turpin demonstrated his quickness, pressuring quarterbacks and consistently pulling flags with finesse. He finished with five tackles and even recorded a sack.
The game had a relaxed atmosphere, allowing players to find creative ways to appease their downtime. Pittsburgh’s Cameron Heyward and Tennessee’s Jeffery Simmons were seen playing cards on the AFC bench between quarters, while Mayfield, alongside Buccaneers teammate Tristan Wirfs and Dallas’ Micah Parsons, enjoyed taking pictures holding their babies on the sideline. Cleveland’s Jerry Jeudy spent a considerable amount of time signing autographs for fans.
In a thrilling moment of the Pro Bowl Games, punters Logan Cooke from Jacksonville and Jack Fox from Detroit took part in a dramatic “Punt Perfect” showdown that extended to double overtime. Cooke managed to secure victory in the end, quipping, “At the end of the day, everyone came here for a punt-off.” After tying in the initial rounds, Cooke hit his mark, and Fox’s attempt missed, culminating in a nail-biting finish that captivated both teammates and fans alike.
