Slideshow HERE. Photos by Jamie Nygaard

By Cort Reynolds

The Wilson Football Factory grand opening brought college, pro and flag football VIPs to Ada last week. They in turn brought middle school boys from the Glenville neighborhood in Cleveland to participated in a flag football clinic at Dial-Roberson Stadium at Ohio Northern University.

About 35 players ran through some short pass-catching drills, then played informal half-field scrimmages.

Former UTEP and NFL backup quarterback Jordan Palmer ran the event and passed to the youths. He is the younger brother of former Cincinnati Bengal and USC quarterback Carson Palmer.

Current Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford participated in the clinic. Also on hand was Team Mexico’s flag football QB, Diana Flores.

Wilson will produce the official football of NFL Flag Football, which is smaller but weighs the same as a standard football.

The NFL has announced its first championship tournament to celebrate youth flag football which will take place at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio on July 19-21 and be broadcast live across ESPN, ABC and other Disney networks. The event will feature girls and boys NFL FLAG regional winners, representing all 32 NFL Clubs.

Women’s flag football will be introduced to Olympic competition at the 2028 games in Los Angeles.