The Los Angeles Chargers strengthened their presence in Greece through two dynamic initiatives of the National Football League (NFL) in Athens and Thessaloniki, aiming to promote and further develop Flag Football ahead of its inclusion in the 2028 Summer Olympics.
In Thessaloniki, the Chargers organized, for the first time, a high-level Flag Football Camp at the facilities of Pinewood American International School, at the Anatolia College Campus. More than 300 young athletes actively participated in the program, training under the guidance of the specialized staff of the Los Angeles Chargers and the Hellenic Flag Football League.
A highlight of the day was the presence of Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley, who shared valuable experiences from the highest level of the NFL. During their visit, the Chargers’ delegation also met with the Mayor of Thessaloniki, Stelios Angeloudis, and took part in a special event organized in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy in Greece and the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce at American Space Thessaloniki.
On the second day, a Flag Football Camp was held for the first time in Athens, at the American College of Greece, transforming its sports facilities into a professional NFL-style training environment. More than 200 students participated in the camp, while representatives of the academic community, government officials and the U.S. Embassy in Greece were also in attendance. Once again, the presence of Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley added special momentum to the initiative, inspiring the next generation of athletes.
The two initiatives culminated on Sunday, 8 February, with a Super Bowl Night Watch Party, held at the impressive facilities and studios of COSMOTE TV, the official broadcaster of the NFL in Greece. The event brought together government officials, including the U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Haris Theoharis, and the Secretary General of Sports Giorgos Mavrotas, as well as athletes, journalists and members of the Los Angeles Chargers organization.
The guests watched the Super Bowl live on COSMOTE TV and experienced the first NFL live pre-game show ever organized in Greece, featuring special guests such as the Chargers’ Chief of Staff Fred Maas, the Chargers’ Senior Director of Football Development Zac Emde, and linebacker Daiyan Henley.
Referring to the ongoing collaboration between the NFL and the Chargers within the framework of Flag Football initiatives, Fred Maas stated:
“One of Greece’s greatest strengths is its strong passion for sport, and we genuinely want to begin our efforts by focusing on youth.
With the 2028 Olympic year approaching, the prospect of bringing our players to Greece and potentially hosting a game here in the future reflects our ambition to introduce official NFL American football to the country. This initiative is especially meaningful for the legacy of the Spanos family and their vision to create something lasting and meaningful in Greece.”
Through these initiatives, the Los Angeles Chargers reaffirm their commitment to the international growth of Flag Football and to building strong, long-term relationships with the Greek sports and local communities. The presence of the Chargers also carried strong symbolic value, as the Spanos family, owners of the team, have Greek roots, further strengthening the emotional and cultural connection between the NFL organization and Greece.
As a result, the Chargers’ activities in Greece represent not only a dynamic international expansion, but also a meaningful “return to their roots,” reinforcing cultural and emotional ties with the Greek public. The Spanos family’s vision for the Los Angeles Chargers extends beyond on-field performance, focusing on youth development and the global evolution of Flag Football, with Greece serving as a natural hub for long-term investment in grassroots and infrastructure-level development programs.
By expanding NFL Flag Football initiatives in the country, the Chargers aim to create sustainable participation opportunities for young people, nurture future talent and contribute to the sport’s growth ahead of its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028.
All activities were carried out with the support of the U.S. Embassy in Greece, whose active involvement highlighted the role of sport as a powerful tool for youth engagement, cultural exchange and social cohesion. Through its support, the Embassy emphasized the importance of people-to-people diplomacy and the shared values that connect Greece and the United States.
The cooperation between the Los Angeles Chargers, educational institutions, local authorities and the U.S. Embassy reflects a broader commitment to promoting international collaboration through sport, creating meaningful opportunities for young people and strengthening the long-standing relationship between the two countries.
For more information on upcoming initiatives in Greece, please visit www.chargers.com or follow Chargers Greece on social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chargersgreece/
