Diana Flores made history in May. She became the first Flag football player with artifacts in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
It was an honor in many ways, and Flores said it was tremendous for the sport overall. She also added it was symbolic for Latina women and girls.
Flores recently spoke to the Associated Press’ Rob Maaddi about the honor’s meaning.
“Well, to be honest, to me, it’s the biggest honor to be between all these NFL football legends and make history at the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” Flores said. “This is so meaningful to me, but not only to me personally, because it is a dream, but for flag football to have the first-ever appearance at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I feel that this is a big, big statement for the sport to say and tell the world that this sport is here to stay and it is here to grow.”
Flores, Mexico Women’s National Flag Football’s quarterback, was part of the “Run With It” campaign which spotlighted the sport and the women behind it. The jersey Flores sported in the commercial for the campaign and her football signed by sports icon Billie Jean King and New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner is officially part of the museum now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MLCf2gsC3E
She was the opposing quarterback who made the opposing team’s jaws drop with the way she moved on the field.
Flores grew up playing sports which included karate and gymnastics, but football was her true love.
Her Hall of Fame inclusion stretches out beyond sports.
“It is also a big thing for all women in sports. Not only in football but in sports in general to have this recognition and to have this platform and this voice for all the amazing athletes out there in different sports and especially in football,” Flores added.
The 25-year-old is also The World Games 2022 champion and served as the AFC offensive coordinator at the Pro Bowl Games alongside AFC head coach Peyton Manning.
“Football is a sport that has been a sport for women for a long time. We love this sport. We are passionate about this, and now to have a place in flag football in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It is a big step, and also it opens a lot of opportunities for new doors for the future generations. Girls and women that now can dream bigger than ever,” she said.
About Jessica Kleinschmidt
Jess is a baseball fan with Reno, Nev. roots residing in the Bay Area. She is the host of "Short and to the Point" and is also a broadcaster with the Oakland A's Radio Network. She previously worked for MLB.com and NBC Sports Bay Area.