Flag football is set to debut at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, a milestone for the sport that Diana Flores has significantly contributed to. Flores, who hails from Mexico City, began playing flag football at age 8 and joined her country's national team by 16.
As the quarterback and captain, Flores led Mexico to consecutive gold medals at the World Games in 2022 and 2025. She was named MVP following the 2022 victory over the United States. Her involvement extends beyond playing; she has served as an ambassador for the NFL and was featured in a Super Bowl advertisement for flag football in 2023, which at the time represented the sport's largest platform.
Since that Super Bowl appearance, flag football's momentum has continued to build. Twenty-three states have now recognized girls' high school flag football as a varsity sport, and colleges are offering Division I scholarships. The NFL is also establishing professional leagues for both men and women.
Flores, who is expected to compete in the upcoming Summer Games, recently collaborated on her first book, "Flag Football for Dummies," aimed at increasing understanding and participation in the sport. Her influential role in the sport's development has earned her a spot on TIME's 2026 list of the most influential people in sports.