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VICTORIA - A Vancouver Island First Nation whose people were the first to greet European explorers in the region almost 250 years ago is taking British Columbia to court, seeking title to its traditional territories and financial compensation. The Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation filed a claim Thursday in B.C. Supreme Court seeking a return of decision-making, resource and ecological stewardship, said Chief Mike Maquinna, a descendent of the former Chief Maquinna who met British explorer Capt. James Cook in 1776. Crown-authorized forest industry activities approved by the province without the consent of the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation have resulted in cultural, economic and environmental impacts, he said at a news conference on Thursday. “Our people, the Mowachaht/Muchalaht, have endured many hardships since first meeting Capt. Cook, who was the explorer who first came into our territory,” said Maquinna. “As a result of the explorations of our territory, the natural resources of our lands have been taken. We want to correct rights and wrongs here and hopefully as time goes on this will show that Mowachaht/Muchalaht has been infringed upon since time of contact.” Capt. Cook and Chief Maquinna met in March 1776 at the traditional Mowachaht/Muchalaht whale-hunting village of Yuquot, later named Friendly Cove by Cook. The Parks Canada website says Yuquot was designated a national historic site in 1923 as the ancestral home of the First Nation, which was continuously occupied for more than 4,300 years and the centre of their social, political and economic world. The Parks Canada website says the village became the capital for all 17 tribes of the Nootka Sound region. Maquinna said the province has been acting as the sole decision-making authority in the Gold River-Tahsis areas of northern Vancouver Island, especially with regards to the forest resource, without the consent of his nation. Hereditary Chief Jerry Jack said the claim seeks title to about 430,000 hectares of land on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island and an amount of financial compensation to be determined by the court. “It is common knowledge we were here long before Capt. Cook and now we have to go to court and definitively prove that,” he said. “I don’t like that we have to prove that we owned it before he showed up to my territory, to my beach.” The land title case does not make any claims against private land owners, homeowners or recreational hunting and fishing operators, said Jack. Premier David Eby said the B.C. government prefers negotiated land-claims settlements rather than become involved in lengthy, expensive court cases, but the Mowachaht/Muchalaht have the right to take that route. “We have no problem with them doing that,” he said at an unrelated news conference in Langley. “We’d rather sit down and find a path forward.” The 15-page notice of claim seeks declarations that the First Nation has Aboriginal title to its lands and that B.C.‘s Forest Act and Land Act will no longer apply to Mowachaht/Muchalaht lands once title is declared. Jack said the nation decided against pursuing formal treaty talks with the federal and provincial government years ago and has been planning the land title court case “for many decades.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 12, 2024. Note to readers: This is a corrected story. The Mowachaht/Muchalalaht First Nation previously said it sought title to about 66,000 hectares of land. The First Nation now says it is seeking title to about 430,000 hectares of land.Rocksteady Studios’ Suicide Squad game is officially coming to its end. The fourth season of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League will welcome a new playable character, Deathstroke, to the game, and “will mark the final battle against Brainiac,” the developer said Monday on the game’s official website . Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League ’s next update will also bring with it the game’s long-promised offline mode, though Rocksteady and publisher Warner Bros. say that “all online features will continue to be available” for the cooperative shooter. Season 4 of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League will launch on Dec. 10, with Deathstroke, offline mode, and Episode 7 of the game’s story. Episode 8, the game’s conclusion, will arrive on Jan. 14, 2025 and feature the final battle against Brainiac, whom Suicide Squad players have been battling in various multiversal forms over the past year. Deathstroke will be the fourth post-launch character released for Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League , following The Joker, Mrs. Freeze, and Lawless. Rocksteady and Warner Bros. never announced additional characters beyond those four, though early leaks from datamining indicated that Rocksteady was considering releasing DC villains Katana and Killer Croc as playable characters. Offline mode for Kill the Justice League will let players experience the main story campaign and seasonal story mission content without the need for an internet connection. The game has thus far required that players be online , an early point of contention for players. Offline mode will require that players either create a new profile by starting from the beginning of the game or creating a copy of their existing profile to retain their progress. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League launched in February to middling reviews and a cool commercial reception. Warner Bros. Discovery boss David Zaslav called the game “disappointing,” saying that Rocksteady’s game was partly responsible for a “$200 million impact” on the company’s games division’s earnings. Reception to the game’s DLC hasn’t fared much better . Suicide Squad has since been given away and heavily discounted . Rocksteady’s take on the Suicide Squad was a lightning rod for controversy, based on its tone, games-as-a-service leanings, and treatment of the Arkhamverse heroes like Batman . But after dramatically killing the likes of Superman, The Flash, and Green Lantern, Kill the Justice League started to bring back its once-dead heroes , pulling them in from various Elseworlds. Some story threads are still unresolved, but perhaps the fourth and final season will give players the closure they need. Gaming News PC PlayStation Xbox Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
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Women voters Fafen report says there has been major rise in women’s participation as voters, polling staff and candidates While Pakistan is one of the few countries in the world to have ever been led by a woman prime minister, it would be fair to say that former PM Benazir Bhutto and current Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz are the exception and not the norm. There is also the fact that both are the daughters of prominent male politicians. If we look at political participation in general, Pakistani women have often been relegated to the fringes. They have been and are less likely to vote, run for office and hold office. However, signs are now emerging that this picture is beginning to change. According to the Free and Fair Election Network (Fafen), in its report ‘Women in Elections’, there has been a significant rise in women’s participation as voters, polling staff and candidates. Women cast 24.4 million of the 58.9 million total votes in this year’s general elections, an increase of 2.7 million women votes from the previous general election in 2018. This is almost double the increase in votes cast by men, with the male vote rising by 1.6 million votes in the 2024 general elections. The number of female candidates contesting this year’s general elections nearly doubled compared to 2018, largely driven by a surge in independent female candidates. This year’s rise in women’s political participation is not an anomaly, with the voter gender gap narrowing from 12.8 per cent in 2013 to 7.7 per cent in 2024, reflecting a consistent rise in women voter registration over the past decade. In fact, in the last five years the female vote has grown faster than the male vote by about 10.0 per cent. This is a very encouraging shift and it is hoped that this rise in women’s participation will lead to more women legislators and ministers too. An inclusive democracy has eluded Pakistan for far too long, hamstringing the state’s ability to effectively represent and serve all of its citizens. And while the results of this report should be celebrated, the consensus among sitting and former women parliamentarians, civil society, election experts and journalists is that we need electoral reforms to enhance women’s participation as voters and candidates, with a particular emphasis on promoting intra-party democracy. The focus must now be on eradicating the remaining gender-gap of about 9.9 million votes. Worryingly, almost three quarters of this gap is made up of female votes between the ages of 18 and 35. This reflects under-registration of women voters within this age group, which is rather surprising given that one would have assumed it would be younger and better educated women voters who were driving the rise in the female vote. A possible solution would be to prioritise the hiring of more female polling staff and taking other steps to make voter registration and voting itself more accessible to women. This could also involve door-to-door voter registration campaigns to make sure as many people as possible are registered to vote. This would disproportionately help women given that their access to the public space can still be rather restricted as compared to men. Arranging transport for women voters to and from polling stations could also help. What the country cannot afford is to rest on its laurels and assume that the existing gender-gap will close on its own with time. Any let up in efforts to enhance women’s political participation might lead to a regression in the progress that has been made.
The Atlanta Falcons lost their fourth straight game after falling to the Minnesota Vikings 42-21 on Sunday. It was also the first time quarterback Kirk Cousins had returned to U.S. Bank Stadium since signing with the Falcons in free agency. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Thanks for the feedback.Paul Krugman—described by his editor as a sometimes "lonely voice arguing unfashionable positions" on the opinion pages—is retiring as a columnist. After 25 years in the role, Krugman posted online that he "decided to leave in search of more freedom in terms of both style and content. And that's all I am going to say for now." Krugman won a Nobel Prize in economic sciences in 2008, and warned at the time that the government's response to the financial crisis wasn't strong enough to rescue the job market, reports. In announcing Krugman's retirement to the staff on Friday, opinion editor Kathleen Kingsbury said he helped "countless readers become more fluent in and mindful of how trade, taxes, technology, the markets, labor and capital intersected with political leadership, ideology and partisanship to shape the lives of people across America and the world." Kingsbury also praised his detailed criticism of Donald Trump's economic policies, including his support of tariffs, per . He's a professor at City University of New York Graduate Center and previously was on the faculties of Princeton, MIT, Yale, and Stanford. Krugman said he'll announce his plans and write one final column before his retirement takes effect at the end of the year. (More stories.)
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Zion Williamson's future continues to be a question mark for the New Orleans Pelicans . The All-Star forward has struggled with a string of injuries during his six seasons with the franchise and has only played six games this season. Due to Williamson's limited availability, the Pelicans are expected to field trade offers for him ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline. According to The Athletic's Jovan Buha, all three members of the Pelicans' star trio are available for the right price. "Based on the reporting intel, Trey Murphy and Herb Jones are at a certain level for them. They want to keep them," Buha said via his "Buha's Block" podcast. "Those are two guys that are going to have a high price to give up, similar to L.A. with Austin Reaves. Seems like Zion and Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum are the three guys they've been shopping more in terms of their core starters, and Dejounte Murray has not." While it makes sense to move on from Williamson, the Pelicans should be cautious about rushing into a deal. Right now, his value in the NBA is low . Most teams would be cautious about his inability to stay healthy, which would undoubtedly limit his value on the trade market. Still, if the Pelicans remain patient, there will undoubtedly be a franchise that can talk itself into a reclamation project. Williamson is still young enough to develop into one of the premier talents in the NBA. Therefore, New Orleans should play the waiting game rather than rushing into a trade ahead of the deadline. The Pelicans could have far greater success in the summer. Accepting that Williamson's tenure has run its course likely means New Orleans is pivoting toward a full-scale rebuild. Moving on from Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum, along with Williamson, should guarantee a steady influx of draft assets and young talent. If the franchise plays things right, it could be well-positioned to emerge from its current situation in a strong position for future success. Of course, that opportunity will only come if the front office can stay the course and wait for the right opportunity to present itself. Right now, any offer for Williamson will be low-ball.Heisman Trophy finalist and two-way Colorado star Travis Hunter was named The Associated Press Big 12 defensive player of the year while also being a first-team selection at wide receiver on Thursday. Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders is the league's top offensive player. Kenny Dillingham, the 34-year-old in his second season at Arizona State, was the unanimous choice as Big 12 coach of the year after leading his alma mater to a championship and a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff. The Sun Devils (11-2) went into their league debut as the preseason pick to finish last among the 16 teams. At cornerback, Hunter had 31 tackles, tied for the Big 12 lead with 11 pass breakups and was tied for second with four interceptions. On offense, he leads the Big 12 with 92 receptions and 14 receiving touchdowns, and is second with 1,152 yards receiving. His 21 catches of at least 20 yards are the most nationally. He is also the AP's player of the year. Sanders is the Big 12 passing leader, completing 337 of 454 passes (74.2%) for 3,926 yards and a school-record 35 touchdowns with eight interceptions for the Buffaloes (10-2) Arizona State freshman quarterback Sam Leavitt, who is 11-1 as a starter, is the league’s top newcomer. The Michigan State transfer has 2,663 yards passing with 24 touchdowns and only five picks in 304 attempts. LAS VEGAS — Former Florida and Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen has agreed to lead UNLV's 24th-ranked football program, two people with knowledge of the hire said Wednesday. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no announcement has been made. The 52-year-old Mullen replaces Barry Odom, who left for Purdue on Sunday after going 19-8 and helping the Rebels receive back-to-back bowl invitations for the first time in program history. UNLV will play California in the LA Bowl on Wednesday. UNLV athletic director Erick Harper wasted little time in finding Odom's replacement. Mullen, most recently an ESPN college football analyst, went 103-61 at Florida and Mississippi State. Rich Rodriguez is returning to West Virginia for a second stint as head coach at his alma mater. Athletic director Wren Baker announced the hiring on Thursday, 17 years after Rodriguez made a hasty exit for what became a disastrous three-year experiment at Michigan. “We are thrilled to welcome Coach Rich Rodriguez and his family back home,” Baker said in a statement. “Coach Rodriguez understands what it takes to win at West Virginia, and I believe he will pour his heart, soul and every ounce of his energy into our program. I am convinced Coach Rodriguez wants what is best for West Virginia, WVU and West Virginia football, and I am excited about the future of our program.” Rodriguez, who is the current coach at Jacksonville State, an architect of the spread offense and a polarizing figure in his home state, replaces Neal Brown, who was fired on Dec. 1 after going 37-35 in six seasons, including 6-6 this year. BRIEFLY FCS: The NCAA is taking its Football Championship Subdivision title game back to Tennessee. The FCS championship games at the end of the 2025 and 2026 seasons will be played in Nashville on the Vanderbilt campus. This season’s game will be played Jan. 6 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, which will host the game for a record 15th season in a row and was set for at least two more. OC: UCLA announced Tino Sunseri’s hiring as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Sunseri replaces Eric Bieniemy, who was fired on Dec. 5 after fielding one of the nation’s worst offenses this season. Sunseri spent one season as Indiana’s co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach after following Hoosiers coach Curt Cignetti from James Madison. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!
All the hard work the Vikings put in on Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field almost fell by the wayside after they failed to recover an onside kick in the final minute. That paved the way for Chicago Bears kicker Cairo Santos to send the game into overtime with a 48-yard field goal as time expired. ADVERTISEMENT As proud as head coach Kevin O’Connell was that the Vikings still managed to escape with a 30-27 overtime win, he also was irked that lack of execution on the onside kick nearly cost them. What went wrong? Though it looked like nothing more than a fluky bounce, it was actually a misread by tight end Johnny Mundt that resulted in the ball hitting him. Asked about the particular play, special teams coordinator Matt Daniels said as soon as Mundt realized it was going to be a watermelon kick, he should’ve attacked the ball rather than engaged in a block. “He’s got to have some awareness right there,” Daniels said. “He didn’t see where the ball was at.” The use of the watermelon kick has become much more common across the NFL over the past few seasons. It’s executed by placing the ball on its side and kicking the point to create a spinning motion. The hope is to create enough spin with the watermelon kick that the ball travels the required 10 yards. The only issue? The rules say the kicking team can’t touch any member of the receiving team on an onside kick until the ball crosses 10 yards. ADVERTISEMENT That’s why Daniels has stressed to his players the importance of attacking the ball in those situations. “That’s the No. 1 thing,” Daniels said. “As soon as we see it’s a watermelon kick, we are going to go get the ball.” After suffering a hamstring injury over the weekend, linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. has been placed on injured reserve. As a result, he will have to miss at least the next month, with the Vikings hoping he can be ready to return by the time the playoffs roll around. It’s a tough blow for the Vikings heading into the home stretch as Pace has developed into a key contributor on defense. As a way to add some depth amid the loss, the Vikings signed linebacker Jamin Davis to their active roster, poaching him from the Green Bay Packers, who had signed him to their practice squad. There might be some untapped potential in Davis considering the Washington Commanders selected him in the first round of the 2021 draft. He has totaled 282 tackles, seven sacks, an interception and a pair of forced fumbles across 50 NFL games. Additionally, the Vikings also activated edge rusher Gabe Murphy from injured reserve. ADVERTISEMENT The benefit of having veteran left tackle David Quessenberry on the roster is that he has proven capable of going into a game on short notice. After stepping up last month when star left tackle Christian Darrisaw went down with a knee injury, Quessenberry had his number called over the weekend when veteran left tackle Cam Robinson left the game with a foot injury. Though there were some ups and downs for Quessenberry in the game, his presence allowed the Vikings to continue to run their offense. “I thought he came in and played really well,” offensive coordinator Wes Phillips said. “The left side really wasn’t an issue with him in there. We weren’t thinking like, ‘Oh god. We’ve got to get chips over there. We’ve got to try to formation these things where we can help him out every play.’ We felt pretty comfortable with him felling in and playing that role.” After being cut by the Vikings over the weekend, cornerback Akayleb Evans was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers. It will be a fresh start for Evans as he looks to get his career back on track. Though he started 15 games for the Vikings last season, Evans barely played at all on defense this season. He was buried on the depth chart behind veteran cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore, Byron Murphy Jr., and Shaq Griffin. Why didn’t it work out for Evans? ADVERTISEMENT “Sometimes it becomes a numbers situation,” defensive coordinator Brian Flores said. “He’s a talented player who has a place in this league. I wish him all the best in Carolina. He’s going to do a great job for them.” ______________________________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here .COLLEGE FB NOTES
Were the Cowboys Right About Luke Schoonmaker?OWINGS MILLS, MD, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Maryland Public Television (MPT) has launched its new Maryland Center for Media Literacy & Education (Center). The initiative and its mission were introduced during a livestreamed event on November 19 at the statewide public TV network's Irene and Edward H. Kaplan Production Studio in Owings Mills, Maryland. The event recording is available for viewing at mpt.org/media-literacy . A major expansion of MPT's long-standing Education Division, the Center will address the challenges and impacts of today's media-saturated society and support the well-being of Maryland citizens. Its programs and resources on a variety of topics will empower individuals of all ages to navigate media in a complex digital world. The Center's website is MarylandMediaLiteracy.org . Major funding support for the Maryland Center for Media Literacy & Education is being provided by the Sherman Family Foundation. Media literacy at every age is vital, notes the Center's leadership. Social media is cited as a top source of news and information for adults and teenagers, with nearly half of teens ages 13-17 saying they are online "almost constantly." In addition, research revealed that 55% of students are not confident in their ability to recognize false information online, 94% of teens say they want their schools to teach media literacy, and 69% of parents fear their children are sharing private information on social media without realizing it. On top of these findings, older adults reported losing more than $1.9 billion in online scams and digital fraud in 2023. "Over more than five decades, MPT's education team has been a trusted partner in learning and convener in Maryland, which is why we're well-positioned to spearhead this effort. We recognize media's power to influence our perceptions, beliefs, and actions, and it's more important than ever that everyone – from our youngest learners to our seniors – is equipped with healthy media habits," explained Betsy Peisach, vice president, Maryland Center for Media Literacy & Education. "We're committing the resources, expertise, and leadership over the long term to advance media literacy." Serving as hosts for the Center's November 19 launch event were Frank Sesno , former CNN anchor, correspondent, and Washington bureau chief, and current director of strategic initiatives and professor at the School of Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University, and Kelsey Russell , a Gen Z national media literacy advocate and influencer with 100,000 TikTok followers. The program featured Maryland First Lady Dawn Moore , who spoke to the audience about the need for essential media literacy skills and the necessity for awareness of children's digital media use. "For the past 55 years, MPT has helped build strong citizens from childhood to adulthood, and the Maryland Center for Media Literacy & Education will build on that legacy. I'm proud this new Center will be a guiding light for our kids and adults," said Moore. "As first lady, the wellbeing of our children is one of my top priorities – and that's why I will continue to work in partnership with MPT to uplift the future generations of Marylanders." FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez and Sheppard Pratt President and CEO Dr. Harsh K. Trivedi took part in a conversation with Frank Sesno about the intersection of media literacy, technology, and mental health, and their impacts on individuals, families, and communities. "If you're on social media more than three hours a day, that's specifically correlated with higher rates of anxiety and depression. We're seeing unprecedented mental health issues and problems from too much social media," said Dr. Trivedi. "It's really about making information accessible – like the wonderful things MPT does and this coalition can do – and coming out with tangible things that parents, kids, and educators can use to help to teach skills, change behavior, and impact mental health." "What MPT is doing today to promote media literacy is important to make sure people can discern what is true and what is misinformation, disinformation, or mal-information," said Gomez. "Remember, this is both a mental health issue and a public safety issue." The one-hour program integrated videos about social media use and media literacy topics of importance to students at several grade levels. These videos were produced by students from Benjamin Tasker Middle School in Bowie, Maryland, the DC International School in Washington, D.C., and Stevenson University in Owings Mills. The Maryland Center for Media Literacy & Education's staff, advisors, and partners are developing and curating tools and resources to promote media literacy knowledge and best practices. This team will also create effective learning opportunities that teach media literacy and support informed choices. Among the Center's initial primary resources and continuing professional development assets are – Media STEPs frameworks and curated partner resources specific to early learners , tweens and teens , and adults and seniors . Early Learning Media Ambassadors , who model best practices for teaching and learning with educational media in the early years. MPT uses a "train the trainers" model to develop media literacy ambassadors, equipping them with the tools to help children develop healthy habits to last a lifetime. In partnership with public libraries, ambassadors host free events, sharing media literacy tips and resources with families and educators in their communities. Maryland State Department of Education-approved media literacy courses for early childhood educators. A network of nine dedicated education professionals is instrumental in guiding the Center's media literacy initiatives and advancing the movement statewide and beyond. The list of advisors is available at marylandmedialiteracy.org/advisors . (Statistic sources: Pew Research Center, 2022; News Literacy Project, 2022; C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll, 2021; News Literacy Project, May 2024; FTC Annual Report to Congress, 2024) # # # About Maryland Public Television Maryland Public Television (MPT) is a statewide, public-supported TV network and Public Broadcasting Service member offering entertaining, educational, and inspiring content delivered by traditional broadcasting and streaming on TVs, computers, and mobile devices. A state agency, it operates under the auspices of the Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission. MPT creates and distributes local, regional, and national content and is a frequent winner of regional Emmy® awards. MPT's commitment to educators, parents, caregivers, and learners of all ages is delivered through its Maryland Center for Media Literacy and Education and Thinkport.org . MPT's year-round community engagement activities connect viewers with resources on a wide range of topics. For more information visit mpt.org. Attachments Maryland First Lady Dawn Moore at MPT Interview during MPT's Maryland Center for Media Literacy & Education launch event © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
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Middle East latest: Israeli raid and airstrikes in West Bank kill at least 8 PalestiniansDENVER — So you're the most valuable player of that annual Thanksgiving Day backyard flag football game. Or played tackle football on any level. Or ran track. Or dabbled in basketball. Or toyed with any sport, really. Well, this may be just for you: USA Football is holding talent identification camps all over the country to find that next flag football star. It's "America's Got Talent" meets "American Idol," with the stage being the field and the grand prize a chance to compete for a spot on a national team. Because it's never too early to start planning for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, where flag football will make its Summer Games debut. Know this, though — it's not an easy team to make. The men's and women's national team rosters are at "Dream Team" status given the men's side has captured six of the last seven world championships and the women three in a row. To remain on top, the sport's national governing body is scouring every football field, park, track, basketball court and gym to find hidden talent to cultivate. USA Football has organized camps and tryouts from coast to coast for anyone ages 11 to 23. There are more than a dozen sites set up so far, ranging from Dallas (Sunday) to Chicago (Dec. 14) to Tampa (March 29) to Los Angeles (TBD) and the Boston area (April 27), where it will be held at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. The organization has already partnered with the NFL on flag football initiatives and programs. The numbers have been through the roof, with engagement on social media platforms increasing by 86% since flag football was announced as an Olympic invitational sport in October 2023. The participation of boys and girls ages 6 to 17 in flag football last year peaked at more than 1.6 million, according to USA Football research. "We pride ourselves on elevating the gold standard across the sport," said Eric Mayes, the managing director of the high performance and national teams for USA Football. "We want to be the best in the world — and stay the best in the world." Flag football was one of five new sports added to the LA28 program. The already soaring profile of American football only figures to be enhanced by an Olympic appearance. Imagine, say, a few familiar faces take the field, too. Perhaps even NFL stars such as Tyreek Hill or Patrick Mahomes, maybe even past pro football greats donning a flag belt for a country to which they may have ties. Soon after flag football's inclusion, there was chatter of NFL players possibly joining in on the fun. Of course, there are logistical issues to tackle before their inclusion at the LA Olympics, which open July 14, 2028. Among them, training camp, because the Olympics will be right in the middle of it. The big question is this: Will owners permit high-priced players to duck out for a gold-medal pursuit? No decisions have yet been made on the status of NFL players for the Olympics. For now, it's simply about growing the game. There are currently 13 states that sanction girls flag football as a high school varsity sport. Just recently, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles helped pave the way to get it adopted in Pennsylvania. Around the world, it's catching on, too. The women's team from Japan took third at the recent word championships, while one of the best players on the planet is Mexico quarterback Diana Flores. "Could flag football globally become the new soccer? That's something to aspire to," said Stephanie Kwok, the NFL's vice president of flag football. This type of flag football though, isn't your Thanksgiving Day game with family and friends. There's a learning curve. And given the small roster sizes, versatility is essential. Most national team members need to be a version of Colorado's two-way standout and Heisman hopeful Travis Hunter. Forget bump-and-run coverage, too, because there's no contact. None. That took some adjusting for Mike Daniels, a defensive back out of West Virginia who earned a rookie minicamp invitation with the Cleveland Browns in 2017. "If a receiver is running around, I'm thinking, 'OK, I can kind of bump him here and there and nudge him,'" Daniels explained. "They're like, 'No, you can't.' I'm just like, 'So I'm supposed to let this guy just run?!' I really rebelled at the idea at first. But you learn." The competition for an Olympic roster spot is going to be fierce because only 10 players are expected to make a squad. The best 10 will earn it, too, as credentials such as college All-American or NFL All-Pro take a backseat. "I would actually love" seeing NFL players try out, said Daniels, who's also a personal trainer in Miami. "I'm not going to let you just waltz in here, thinking, 'I played NFL football for five years. I'm popular. I have a huge name.' I'm still better than you and I'm going to prove it — until you prove otherwise." Around the house, Bruce Mapp constantly swivels his hips when turning a hallway corner or if his daughter tries to reach for a hug. It's his way of working on avoiding a "defender" trying to snare the flag. That approach has earned the receiver out of Coastal Carolina four gold medals with USA Football. The 31-year-old fully plans on going for more gold in Los Angeles. "You grow up watching Usain Bolt (win gold) and the 'Redeem Team' led by Kobe Bryant win a gold medal, you're always thinking, 'That's insane.' Obviously, you couldn't do it in your sport, because I played football," said Mapp, who owns a food truck in the Dallas area. "With the Olympics approaching, that (gold medal) is what my mind is set on." It's a common thought, which is why everything — including talent camps — starts now. "Everybody thinks, 'Yeah, the U.S. just wins,'" Daniels said. "But we work hard all the time. We don't just walk in. We don't just get off the bus thinking, 'We're going to beat people.'" Get local news delivered to your inbox!