Milano Seamen QB Luke Zahradka named Global Flag Football Ambassador
Luke Zahradka, a dual passport Italian-American and quarterback for the Italian American football powerhouse, the Milano Seamen, is accustomed to accolades as the architect of three American football titles in Italy with the Seamen.
However, the honor that was bestowed on him by the International Federation of American Football, IFAF, and the NFL last week, definitely had an impact on him. The 31 year old from New York, was named as a Global Flag Football Ambassador alongside NFL players such as Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp, Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson and former New England Patriots linebacker Willie McGinest.
“It is an honor being recognized as one of the Global Flag Football Ambassadors alongside other world class athletes. The flag football debut at the World Games was a tremendous success and being one of the key figures in helping take the game to bigger heights will be something I look forward to achieving.”
Zahradka, who was the quarterback for Team Italy that won flag football silver at the World Games held in Birmingham, Alabama earlier this year, along with representatives of the gold medal winning flag football teams, was in Los Angeles for the opening game of the NFL season between the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams. Buffalo beat the Rams 31-10.
Flag football is being pushed by the NFL and IFAF to be included in the 2028 Olympics set to be held in Los Angeles. Its inclusion in the World Games was a major step forward in the quest to have it become an Olympic sport.
In the World Games men’s flag football gold medal final, the United States defeated Italy 46-36 while Mexico downed the USA 39-6 in the women’s final.
