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A bunch of retired guys played flag football in San Jose last night, in hopes of creating a product someone will watch on television.

But Saints quarterback Drew Brees is aiming even higher with his attempt to popularize the safer version of his sport.

According to Mike Triplett of ESPN.com, Brees is launching a co-ed youth flag football enterprise called the Football ‘N’ America League with an eye toward the future of the game.

“I think that this has the opportunity to really save the game of football, honestly,” Brees said. “I think we’re filling a void that is much-needed.

“We felt like, you know what, we have the opportunity here to really create what will be the premier youth co-ed flag football league in America.”



Brees said he came upon the idea while coaching a kids team in San Diego the last few offseasons. The league will begin in New Orleans and around Louisiana this fall, before expanding to other states next year.

Brees played flag football as a kid in Texas and didn’t play tackle until his freshman year in high school And he’s turned out OK. But now that he has four kids, he’s even more sure of the need for such programs.

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halloween 65

Boy oh boy, flag football, maybe the NFL want charge so much for their channels. FLAG FOOTBALL, yeah. I could see "to tall Jones playing? You think!!

QBREES9

Drew has jumped the Shark.

foreverfan

I played Flag for years in college. We had over 12 defenses and 40 different plays in multiple formations. You had to practice to make a certain playoff level. The game could become very complex. If you were on a crappy team, we would blow you out because you would never understand what we were actually doing.

Euphoria

It isn't a bad idea. So many people scared with all the injuries and concussions of late they don't allow their kids to play and if they aren't playing the game - they won't watch as much either. Lose interests fast.

I played in a military league. Had a good time - was fun.

AsylumGuido

Exactly. It makes sense. A whole new generation of kids are simply not playing football because of the fear their parents have of the tackle game. Getting them involved in flag football can satisfy the anxiety of the parents and can eventually lead those that have the talent into the high school game.

halloween 65

And you can get your flag football superbowl tickets for $9.99. Not going to happen!!

AsylumGuido

It's youth football. Geeze.

halloween 65

I don't think their really only talking about pee-wee there.

AsylumGuido

No. Of course not. He said he didn't play tackle himself until he was a freshman in HS. The league would go as far as it would bear age wise. Those players that showed promise at HS age would go to tackle. The others would continue playing the game. It absolutely isn't pee-wee, although parents of of children of all ages here in the last few years have begun pulling their children out of the sport. At least flag would keep it alive.