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Inside Team USA Flag Football with Isabella Geraci & Nico Casares | Road to the Olympics

March 19, 2026·47 min·4 clips

Team USA flag football players discuss the $30 million NFL investment and their journey to the Olympics.

The episode begins with hosts welcoming Team USA flag football players Isabella Geraci and Nico Casares, recorded in Miami after a Super Bowl connection. Isabella shares her background playing tackle football in Cleveland until age 14, then basketball in college, before joining flag football in 2014 and quickly making the national team. Nico describes growing up in Miami playing tackle, flag, and travel soccer simultaneously, with a break from competitive flag during college before returning to the national team. Both guests are in their third year on Team USA. The conversation highlights the $30 million investment by the NFL into flag football, signaling rapid growth. Isabella and Nico discuss the childhood dream of representing the USA, with Isabella noting the chills from wearing the national colors. They explain that flag football is huge internationally, especially in Mexico where it is the second biggest sport behind soccer and has dedicated stadiums. The hosts and guests explore the path to the Olympics, with six teams qualifying and the USA having an auto-bid as host. They detail the massive 1,500-team tournament in Tampa each January, featuring divisions from pro to rec and international participants. The selection process for Team USA involves invites, combine tests like the 40-yard dash, and cuts from 60 to 12 players, emphasizing coachability and on-field performance. Guests describe their training routines, balancing five days of lifting, speed work, and on-field sessions with full-time jobs. They talk about playing together in co-ed tournaments, with formats varying by gender ratios on the field. The discussion covers rivalries with Mexico and Canada, the strategic role of rushers in flag football, and the importance of IQ over pure speed. Looking ahead, they express excitement about the Olympics and the potential for college flag football programs to offer scholarships. The episode concludes with advice for young athletes to stay committed, as the sport offers future opportunities at collegiate and Olympic levels.

As heard by us

A grounded conversation that frames Team USA Flag Football as a serious path with growing opportunity.

The episode presents Team USA Flag Football as more than a casual pastime, with selection pressure and investment treated as part of the sport's reality.

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Why you'd press play

If you want the real path to Team USA flag football, start here.

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