1 00:00:00,480 --> 00:00:02,560 Speaker 1: Welcome to Good Game with Sarah Spain, where we're asking 2 00:00:02,560 --> 00:00:05,040 Speaker 1: stores to please wait a few more weeks before putting 3 00:00:05,040 --> 00:00:07,720 Speaker 1: out all of the Halloween and Thanksgiving decorations. Come on, 4 00:00:07,840 --> 00:00:10,480 Speaker 1: let us celebrate summer for just a little bit longer. 5 00:00:11,080 --> 00:00:13,800 Speaker 1: It's Monday, September first, and on today's show, we're skipping 6 00:00:13,840 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 1: the need to know and getting straight to my conversation 7 00:00:15,800 --> 00:00:18,560 Speaker 1: with flag football star Dianna flores I caught up with 8 00:00:18,560 --> 00:00:21,319 Speaker 1: our last week to discuss Team Mexico's recent World Games 9 00:00:21,400 --> 00:00:24,279 Speaker 1: championship win, the who's who of flag football, and what 10 00:00:24,360 --> 00:00:26,480 Speaker 1: she's most looking forward to when the sport debuts at 11 00:00:26,480 --> 00:00:29,640 Speaker 1: the Olympics in twenty twenty eight. And just a reminder, 12 00:00:29,760 --> 00:00:32,479 Speaker 1: Good Game has taken a little falseyesta these next two weeks. 13 00:00:32,600 --> 00:00:34,720 Speaker 1: While we'll still be bringing you a couple new episodes 14 00:00:34,760 --> 00:00:37,400 Speaker 1: each week, they won't be every day. We'll get back 15 00:00:37,400 --> 00:00:40,720 Speaker 1: to our normal weekday cadence on Monday, September fifteenth, just 16 00:00:40,800 --> 00:00:43,680 Speaker 1: in time for WNBA playoffs. In the meantime, we hope 17 00:00:43,680 --> 00:00:46,120 Speaker 1: you enjoyed the interviews we have planned for you, including 18 00:00:46,159 --> 00:00:55,920 Speaker 1: my conversation with Deanna right after this joining us. Now 19 00:00:55,960 --> 00:00:58,960 Speaker 1: she's the quarterback and captain of the Mexican national flag 20 00:00:58,960 --> 00:01:01,400 Speaker 1: football team, a team she's led to gold at back 21 00:01:01,400 --> 00:01:03,640 Speaker 1: to back World Games, defeating the US thirty nine to 22 00:01:03,680 --> 00:01:06,039 Speaker 1: six and twenty twenty two and twenty six twenty one. 23 00:01:06,040 --> 00:01:08,200 Speaker 1: This year, she worked alongside me on the gate Raad 24 00:01:08,240 --> 00:01:11,160 Speaker 1: Women's Advisory Board. She commentated on the twenty twenty five 25 00:01:11,240 --> 00:01:15,040 Speaker 1: Super Bowl for Univision, and she represents a bevy of brands. 26 00:01:15,319 --> 00:01:17,360 Speaker 1: She started in a Super Bowl commercial, and she's the 27 00:01:17,400 --> 00:01:20,440 Speaker 1: first flag football player with artifacts in the Pro Football 28 00:01:20,480 --> 00:01:24,440 Speaker 1: Hall of Fame. It's Diana Flores. Hi, Deanna, Hi, Sarah. 29 00:01:24,520 --> 00:01:27,479 Speaker 2: I'm very happy and excited to be here with you, 30 00:01:28,200 --> 00:01:29,880 Speaker 2: so thank you for to invite. 31 00:01:29,840 --> 00:01:32,000 Speaker 1: Yeah, I'm so excited to chat with you. You have a 32 00:01:32,240 --> 00:01:35,560 Speaker 1: very busy day doing all sorts of media responsibilities ahead 33 00:01:35,560 --> 00:01:38,160 Speaker 1: of another big tournament, so we're so glad you could 34 00:01:38,200 --> 00:01:41,080 Speaker 1: steal away for a moment to chat with us. Before 35 00:01:41,080 --> 00:01:43,360 Speaker 1: we get into your recent success, I'd love to chat 36 00:01:43,400 --> 00:01:45,840 Speaker 1: about the very beginning. So tell us how you got 37 00:01:45,840 --> 00:01:47,200 Speaker 1: started playing flag football. 38 00:01:47,640 --> 00:01:50,440 Speaker 2: Oh yeah, so I started playing flappable at the age 39 00:01:50,440 --> 00:01:53,040 Speaker 2: of eight or sold here in Mexico City back then 40 00:01:53,120 --> 00:01:56,080 Speaker 2: when the sport was not well known, it wasn't popular. 41 00:01:56,200 --> 00:01:58,440 Speaker 3: It was seemed to be a sport for boys only. 42 00:01:58,960 --> 00:02:03,280 Speaker 2: So it has been an amazing journey at challenging one, 43 00:02:04,280 --> 00:02:07,400 Speaker 2: but yeah, I think that makes it more special to 44 00:02:07,440 --> 00:02:10,200 Speaker 2: see how big the sport is right now, how it 45 00:02:10,280 --> 00:02:14,360 Speaker 2: is growing, how it is just opening doors and opportunities 46 00:02:14,360 --> 00:02:15,919 Speaker 2: for more girls around the world. 47 00:02:16,880 --> 00:02:19,920 Speaker 3: Yeah, so that's that's how I started this journey. 48 00:02:20,360 --> 00:02:23,040 Speaker 1: So you started playing with boys. At what point were 49 00:02:23,080 --> 00:02:26,240 Speaker 1: there enough girls to try to actually play alongside other girls. 50 00:02:26,520 --> 00:02:29,840 Speaker 2: Yes, so I played with a boys in an all 51 00:02:29,919 --> 00:02:33,160 Speaker 2: boys league at the age of fourteen nfl FLA football 52 00:02:33,200 --> 00:02:38,560 Speaker 2: here in Mexico City. Again, because back then we didn't 53 00:02:38,600 --> 00:02:41,520 Speaker 2: have a lot of teams or leagues for girls to 54 00:02:41,800 --> 00:02:42,560 Speaker 2: practice a game. 55 00:02:43,480 --> 00:02:45,639 Speaker 3: It wasn't I think until. 56 00:02:45,400 --> 00:02:48,200 Speaker 2: A year later or two where I played my first 57 00:02:48,200 --> 00:02:51,000 Speaker 2: time go girls my age in the United States NFL 58 00:02:51,080 --> 00:02:55,600 Speaker 2: Flag Football Championship with a team from Philly, which was 59 00:02:55,680 --> 00:03:00,520 Speaker 2: an amazing experience, and later on two years at the 60 00:03:00,520 --> 00:03:03,400 Speaker 2: age of sixteen, where I started playing at the National 61 00:03:03,440 --> 00:03:08,120 Speaker 2: Flavable Mexican team. So, as I said, it has been 62 00:03:08,160 --> 00:03:11,320 Speaker 2: amazing to see how the game has evolved and how 63 00:03:11,320 --> 00:03:14,680 Speaker 2: it changed from back then having to play with older 64 00:03:14,720 --> 00:03:17,680 Speaker 2: girls at the age of eight, who were sixteen or seventeen, 65 00:03:18,160 --> 00:03:22,240 Speaker 2: not being able to step on the football field, having 66 00:03:22,280 --> 00:03:25,079 Speaker 2: to carry a trash back to it each one of 67 00:03:25,120 --> 00:03:28,040 Speaker 2: our practices to be able to clean up the field 68 00:03:28,600 --> 00:03:33,200 Speaker 2: and play the sport we love to now seeing boys 69 00:03:33,280 --> 00:03:37,080 Speaker 2: and girls from six year souls having a football in 70 00:03:37,120 --> 00:03:40,839 Speaker 2: their hands, having opportunities for scholarships right now, not only 71 00:03:40,880 --> 00:03:43,360 Speaker 2: in the United States, but in Mexico as well, and 72 00:03:43,400 --> 00:03:45,400 Speaker 2: now plagg being an Olympic sport. 73 00:03:45,800 --> 00:03:48,760 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's really incredible. I read an interview where you 74 00:03:48,800 --> 00:03:51,520 Speaker 1: talked about that that you were watching the boys play 75 00:03:51,560 --> 00:03:54,720 Speaker 1: on this stadium field with grass and lighting, and it 76 00:03:54,800 --> 00:03:57,840 Speaker 1: was super fancy, but the men were only the ones 77 00:03:57,880 --> 00:04:00,360 Speaker 1: allowed there. The girls and the women had to train 78 00:04:00,520 --> 00:04:03,120 Speaker 1: on this backfield and you literally had to spend the 79 00:04:03,120 --> 00:04:06,240 Speaker 1: beginning of practice picking up rocks and cleaning up trash. 80 00:04:06,440 --> 00:04:09,760 Speaker 1: That's absolutely wild, because now you are the face of 81 00:04:09,760 --> 00:04:13,160 Speaker 1: flag football, not just women, but you're better known than 82 00:04:13,160 --> 00:04:16,520 Speaker 1: any men's flag football player. You're the face in Mexico, 83 00:04:16,640 --> 00:04:19,680 Speaker 1: in the US, across the world. You've had so much success. 84 00:04:19,760 --> 00:04:21,480 Speaker 1: I want to go back to what you said about 85 00:04:21,480 --> 00:04:24,000 Speaker 1: playing in Philly. How did they find you. How did 86 00:04:24,000 --> 00:04:26,520 Speaker 1: that team at North Penn High School that was trying 87 00:04:26,520 --> 00:04:28,400 Speaker 1: to put together a team to play, how did they 88 00:04:28,400 --> 00:04:28,760 Speaker 1: find you? 89 00:04:29,320 --> 00:04:29,480 Speaker 3: Oh? 90 00:04:29,560 --> 00:04:32,360 Speaker 2: So it was after a tournament we played in Boston 91 00:04:32,440 --> 00:04:36,040 Speaker 2: actually with a team from here from Mexico, so they 92 00:04:36,279 --> 00:04:38,479 Speaker 2: kind of like put together an all stars team with 93 00:04:39,000 --> 00:04:44,080 Speaker 2: different jont players. I was thirteen fourteen back then. We 94 00:04:44,120 --> 00:04:46,680 Speaker 2: went to Boston to play this Flag Global tournament and 95 00:04:46,720 --> 00:04:49,480 Speaker 2: we played the finals against this Philly team. 96 00:04:50,200 --> 00:04:51,520 Speaker 3: We lost against them. 97 00:04:51,680 --> 00:04:55,359 Speaker 2: I came back to Mexico and I think a month 98 00:04:55,480 --> 00:04:58,880 Speaker 2: after that, the coaches from the team connected with me 99 00:04:59,279 --> 00:05:01,560 Speaker 2: through face Book. I think it was I mean, the 100 00:05:01,560 --> 00:05:05,800 Speaker 2: beauty of sport, it creates community, right, So they contacted 101 00:05:05,839 --> 00:05:10,760 Speaker 2: me through that platform, and then that's how they invited 102 00:05:10,839 --> 00:05:12,719 Speaker 2: me to be part of the team. 103 00:05:12,800 --> 00:05:15,000 Speaker 3: I think. I'm so grateful and blessed. 104 00:05:15,720 --> 00:05:19,000 Speaker 2: They saw the potential in me, They trusted on me, 105 00:05:19,160 --> 00:05:22,599 Speaker 2: they took care of me of everything. They flew me 106 00:05:22,680 --> 00:05:26,839 Speaker 2: to Philly to play regional championship, later on national championship, 107 00:05:27,240 --> 00:05:29,800 Speaker 2: and that's how kind of like my journey started for 108 00:05:29,839 --> 00:05:33,040 Speaker 2: the next couple of years with them just flying back 109 00:05:33,080 --> 00:05:35,279 Speaker 2: and forth Mexico in the US, playing the sport I love. 110 00:05:35,760 --> 00:05:38,919 Speaker 1: That's so cool. Okay, I want to ask how in 111 00:05:38,960 --> 00:05:41,520 Speaker 1: a sport that wasn't that well known in a country 112 00:05:41,520 --> 00:05:46,159 Speaker 1: that is obsessed with soccer football, not American football. Yes, 113 00:05:46,680 --> 00:05:49,360 Speaker 1: how did you even think I want to play flag football? 114 00:05:49,520 --> 00:05:51,799 Speaker 1: What teams were you watching or players were you watching 115 00:05:51,839 --> 00:05:53,600 Speaker 1: growing up that made you think you wanted to try it? 116 00:05:53,920 --> 00:05:56,760 Speaker 3: Well, it's my dad's fault, I have to say. 117 00:05:56,839 --> 00:05:59,240 Speaker 2: So. My dad used to play tackle football when he 118 00:05:59,320 --> 00:06:02,279 Speaker 2: was in high school and college, and he was the 119 00:06:02,279 --> 00:06:05,400 Speaker 2: one that brought me to this amazing world. When I 120 00:06:05,480 --> 00:06:13,440 Speaker 2: was young, before flag I did other activities as ballet, gymnastics, different, 121 00:06:14,040 --> 00:06:17,760 Speaker 2: very different to flag football. And one day, I remember day, 122 00:06:18,400 --> 00:06:22,360 Speaker 2: my dad just came back home from work and took 123 00:06:22,400 --> 00:06:25,480 Speaker 2: me to this football field to watch this group of 124 00:06:25,520 --> 00:06:29,120 Speaker 2: women throwing around the football. I didn't know what was it. 125 00:06:29,160 --> 00:06:31,840 Speaker 2: I didn't know what was going on, but what caught 126 00:06:31,920 --> 00:06:34,240 Speaker 2: me was just the passion I could see on the field. 127 00:06:34,680 --> 00:06:38,000 Speaker 2: They were loud, they were fast, they were strong, and 128 00:06:38,120 --> 00:06:40,279 Speaker 2: they were doing all of these amazing things on the 129 00:06:40,320 --> 00:06:43,440 Speaker 2: field and I just fell in love. I remember we 130 00:06:43,520 --> 00:06:47,520 Speaker 2: sat down for two hours full practice, and at the end, 131 00:06:47,640 --> 00:06:49,760 Speaker 2: my dad just asked me like would you like to 132 00:06:49,800 --> 00:06:54,360 Speaker 2: try it tomorrow? Yes, I had no doubts. I wanted 133 00:06:54,400 --> 00:06:58,719 Speaker 2: to be part of that. And luckily my coach, my 134 00:06:58,760 --> 00:07:02,120 Speaker 2: first coach, Julio Kanya, he when we approached him to 135 00:07:02,320 --> 00:07:04,720 Speaker 2: asking for a chance for me to be part of 136 00:07:04,760 --> 00:07:08,039 Speaker 2: the team. I was a youngist, right, so he he 137 00:07:08,200 --> 00:07:13,160 Speaker 2: saw I think that fire in my eyes, that just 138 00:07:13,200 --> 00:07:15,560 Speaker 2: that emotion to be part of it. He allowed me 139 00:07:15,600 --> 00:07:17,240 Speaker 2: to be part of the team. He trusted in me, 140 00:07:17,880 --> 00:07:21,000 Speaker 2: and yeah, now here we are twenty years later. 141 00:07:21,800 --> 00:07:25,280 Speaker 1: It's remarkable. And what's so cool is how this sport 142 00:07:25,320 --> 00:07:27,840 Speaker 1: has brought you all over the world. You mentioned coming 143 00:07:28,280 --> 00:07:31,560 Speaker 1: to the States to play for the Philly team, but Boston, Miami, 144 00:07:32,000 --> 00:07:35,320 Speaker 1: you played for the Mexico national team, in Panama, in Jerusalem, 145 00:07:35,680 --> 00:07:38,440 Speaker 1: and then the World Games. So let's talk about the 146 00:07:38,480 --> 00:07:42,920 Speaker 1: World Games. Because I'm an American fan. I'm Team USA 147 00:07:42,960 --> 00:07:45,520 Speaker 1: all the way, and you keep beating up on my ladies. 148 00:07:45,600 --> 00:07:48,280 Speaker 1: You beat them in twenty twenty two. You completed twenty 149 00:07:48,280 --> 00:07:50,040 Speaker 1: and twenty eight pass attempts, you threw for two hundred 150 00:07:50,040 --> 00:07:52,320 Speaker 1: and ten yards and four touchdowns, beating the US thirty 151 00:07:52,400 --> 00:07:55,680 Speaker 1: nine to six. This year was closer twenty six twenty 152 00:07:55,720 --> 00:07:59,080 Speaker 1: one on a buzzer beating touchdown pass from you. So 153 00:07:59,240 --> 00:08:02,360 Speaker 1: what is it about this Mexico team that's making you 154 00:08:02,400 --> 00:08:03,240 Speaker 1: the best in the world. 155 00:08:03,760 --> 00:08:06,880 Speaker 3: I think it's just the evolution of the game itself. 156 00:08:07,520 --> 00:08:11,559 Speaker 2: It keeps pushing all of us Team Mexico Team us, 157 00:08:11,840 --> 00:08:13,800 Speaker 2: every team on the team, and every athlete to just 158 00:08:14,040 --> 00:08:15,200 Speaker 2: become better and better. 159 00:08:15,280 --> 00:08:17,360 Speaker 3: We need to keep up with how the sport is 160 00:08:17,400 --> 00:08:18,480 Speaker 3: growing worldwide. 161 00:08:19,160 --> 00:08:21,400 Speaker 2: It has been amazing to be part of that movement, 162 00:08:21,560 --> 00:08:24,240 Speaker 2: to be part of that change and alongside my team 163 00:08:24,360 --> 00:08:27,960 Speaker 2: kind of like push the sport forward. I think competitiveness 164 00:08:28,080 --> 00:08:31,040 Speaker 2: is essential for the growth of the game to become 165 00:08:31,120 --> 00:08:36,200 Speaker 2: better athletes. So that's also another reason why my self 166 00:08:36,400 --> 00:08:39,040 Speaker 2: and my team we feel so happy. I'm proud to 167 00:08:39,040 --> 00:08:42,319 Speaker 2: be able to face so many talented athletes out there, 168 00:08:42,400 --> 00:08:46,520 Speaker 2: so many talented teams, because it's all about that. It's 169 00:08:46,559 --> 00:08:49,360 Speaker 2: all about putting the best football on the field. It's 170 00:08:49,360 --> 00:08:54,520 Speaker 2: all about evolving as athletes and pushing the sport forward. 171 00:08:54,679 --> 00:08:57,920 Speaker 2: So it was an amazing experience being part of these 172 00:08:58,080 --> 00:09:00,680 Speaker 2: World Games two and twenty five again and to make 173 00:09:00,760 --> 00:09:05,560 Speaker 2: history alongside my team. It was a very emotional game. 174 00:09:05,840 --> 00:09:08,439 Speaker 2: It was very exciting it had it all. You could 175 00:09:08,480 --> 00:09:10,880 Speaker 2: see the passion, you could see the fears, you could 176 00:09:10,880 --> 00:09:14,920 Speaker 2: see the talent, and I'm just very blessed and happy 177 00:09:15,000 --> 00:09:18,560 Speaker 2: to be able to be part of a moment like that, 178 00:09:19,880 --> 00:09:25,319 Speaker 2: to put flat football in the biggest stage, to showcase 179 00:09:25,720 --> 00:09:28,360 Speaker 2: the world the greatness of it, and at the end 180 00:09:28,400 --> 00:09:32,400 Speaker 2: of the day, just compete against the best athletes. 181 00:09:32,760 --> 00:09:35,400 Speaker 1: Tell me about the model that your team had. Pienza 182 00:09:35,480 --> 00:09:37,640 Speaker 1: and oor pienza an auto. 183 00:09:38,160 --> 00:09:42,560 Speaker 2: Yes, that's our model. So we have been holding to 184 00:09:42,640 --> 00:09:46,720 Speaker 2: that since twenty twenty two. So it has been a 185 00:09:46,760 --> 00:09:50,520 Speaker 2: long journey and it's some mentality for us. 186 00:09:50,600 --> 00:09:51,400 Speaker 3: It's a mantra. 187 00:09:51,640 --> 00:09:56,840 Speaker 2: That phrase, which is think of gold, means for us 188 00:09:56,880 --> 00:10:00,400 Speaker 2: way more than thinking on a goal that winning match. 189 00:10:00,600 --> 00:10:05,080 Speaker 2: You know that it is about taking the right decisions, 190 00:10:05,120 --> 00:10:07,840 Speaker 2: taking the right steps to achieve your goal. It is 191 00:10:07,880 --> 00:10:11,480 Speaker 2: about being gold on and off the field, on the 192 00:10:11,520 --> 00:10:16,840 Speaker 2: way you carry yourself, with your teammates, with the team 193 00:10:16,880 --> 00:10:20,280 Speaker 2: you're playing against, with your families, with your friends. It's 194 00:10:20,600 --> 00:10:23,560 Speaker 2: about just trying to be the best version of yourself, 195 00:10:23,640 --> 00:10:27,040 Speaker 2: being gold in anything you do. And if you think 196 00:10:27,080 --> 00:10:30,120 Speaker 2: of gold and if you act like gold in anything 197 00:10:30,160 --> 00:10:33,600 Speaker 2: you do and in any decision you take in your journey, 198 00:10:33,760 --> 00:10:39,120 Speaker 2: Eventually the result is gonna come. So that gold in 199 00:10:39,160 --> 00:10:42,280 Speaker 2: your hands is gonna come. And that's our mantra. That's 200 00:10:42,280 --> 00:10:44,800 Speaker 2: how we move and that's kind of like the message 201 00:10:44,840 --> 00:10:47,200 Speaker 2: we want to live not only to our country, to 202 00:10:47,200 --> 00:10:49,280 Speaker 2: our people, but in general, to the world, to the 203 00:10:49,320 --> 00:10:52,040 Speaker 2: next generations of boys and girls. That's a mentality that 204 00:10:52,120 --> 00:10:53,560 Speaker 2: definitely transcends the field. 205 00:10:54,520 --> 00:10:56,400 Speaker 1: We got to take a quick break more with Deanna 206 00:10:56,440 --> 00:11:05,520 Speaker 1: Flores right after this. A couple of years ago, you 207 00:11:05,559 --> 00:11:09,880 Speaker 1: gave an interview to NBC News talking about how the 208 00:11:09,920 --> 00:11:12,920 Speaker 1: sport of flag football isn't professional yet. You've been playing 209 00:11:12,960 --> 00:11:15,959 Speaker 1: for over a decade, representing your country not getting anything 210 00:11:16,000 --> 00:11:18,560 Speaker 1: for it. You know, flag football will be much bigger 211 00:11:18,600 --> 00:11:22,480 Speaker 1: after the Olympics, it will start to hopefully be more professionalized. 212 00:11:22,880 --> 00:11:25,760 Speaker 1: How has that changed in recent years? Is it still 213 00:11:25,800 --> 00:11:28,760 Speaker 1: something where you all have full time other jobs. You 214 00:11:28,800 --> 00:11:30,840 Speaker 1: don't get paid for this. You're just doing it for 215 00:11:30,880 --> 00:11:31,680 Speaker 1: the love of the sport. 216 00:11:32,640 --> 00:11:34,920 Speaker 2: We do it for the love of the game, We 217 00:11:35,000 --> 00:11:37,080 Speaker 2: do it for the passion, we do it for the 218 00:11:37,240 --> 00:11:41,960 Speaker 2: pride to represent our countries. It's not professional yet, so 219 00:11:42,160 --> 00:11:45,520 Speaker 2: I think that's another reason why I truly admire deeply 220 00:11:45,920 --> 00:11:50,319 Speaker 2: not only to my teammates, but to all the athletes 221 00:11:50,360 --> 00:11:53,400 Speaker 2: out there who represent their countries at the highest leveling 222 00:11:53,480 --> 00:11:58,559 Speaker 2: flag because we're still in that part of the journey, 223 00:11:58,640 --> 00:12:01,560 Speaker 2: you know, where we need to make things happen. We 224 00:12:01,679 --> 00:12:05,640 Speaker 2: are athletes on the field, but we are students of 225 00:12:05,720 --> 00:12:10,280 Speaker 2: the field. We are professionists, We are professors, we are mothers, 226 00:12:10,600 --> 00:12:12,359 Speaker 2: We take care of our families. 227 00:12:12,440 --> 00:12:15,040 Speaker 3: We do it all, and. 228 00:12:15,000 --> 00:12:18,280 Speaker 2: I think that's a superpower talking about the female athlete, 229 00:12:18,480 --> 00:12:21,760 Speaker 2: to be able to be versatile and just show up 230 00:12:22,280 --> 00:12:25,120 Speaker 2: in every situation in our lives and show up in 231 00:12:25,160 --> 00:12:28,680 Speaker 2: the best way to be a high level athlete out there, 232 00:12:28,720 --> 00:12:33,040 Speaker 2: to be able to push the sport forward. It's important 233 00:12:33,080 --> 00:12:38,880 Speaker 2: now to start building the platforms, to start investing on 234 00:12:38,920 --> 00:12:41,840 Speaker 2: the development of the game and also on the future 235 00:12:41,880 --> 00:12:46,840 Speaker 2: of the game, you know. So I truly, I truly 236 00:12:46,880 --> 00:12:50,680 Speaker 2: believe that investing in women's sports, especially in flax football 237 00:12:50,800 --> 00:12:53,400 Speaker 2: now as the big movement it is. 238 00:12:54,440 --> 00:12:56,000 Speaker 1: It's the way. 239 00:12:57,360 --> 00:13:01,280 Speaker 2: To at the end of the day, help society evolve, 240 00:13:01,880 --> 00:13:04,680 Speaker 2: you know, to change the narrative for boys and girls, 241 00:13:04,800 --> 00:13:08,920 Speaker 2: especially women leaders out there, to create opportunities for us 242 00:13:08,960 --> 00:13:10,880 Speaker 2: to achieve our dreams on and off the field. 243 00:13:11,440 --> 00:13:13,040 Speaker 1: So yes, it's. 244 00:13:12,880 --> 00:13:17,199 Speaker 2: A time to invest in women's sports to make it professional. 245 00:13:17,720 --> 00:13:21,400 Speaker 2: I dream of being able to, you know, contribute to 246 00:13:21,800 --> 00:13:24,800 Speaker 2: for that to happen, so one day women like me 247 00:13:25,000 --> 00:13:27,960 Speaker 2: can make a living from playing the sport we love. 248 00:13:28,400 --> 00:13:30,600 Speaker 1: Do you know if the men's flag football team in 249 00:13:30,640 --> 00:13:33,200 Speaker 1: Mexico makes money or do you think it's just that 250 00:13:33,240 --> 00:13:35,720 Speaker 1: the sport itself needs to grow in order for anyone 251 00:13:35,760 --> 00:13:38,400 Speaker 1: to be seeing it as more of a professional opportunity. 252 00:13:38,800 --> 00:13:43,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, right now, No one, women or men make money 253 00:13:43,240 --> 00:13:48,600 Speaker 2: from the game. I think it's a matter of keep 254 00:13:48,640 --> 00:13:51,760 Speaker 2: pushing the sport to grow so we can create those 255 00:13:51,880 --> 00:13:56,800 Speaker 2: opportunities and that investment to come. So yeah, right now 256 00:13:56,920 --> 00:13:59,600 Speaker 2: it's a dream and the next goal for men and 257 00:13:59,720 --> 00:14:00,600 Speaker 2: women and in the game. 258 00:14:00,880 --> 00:14:03,360 Speaker 1: Yeah. Okay, So the twenty twenty eight Olympics are going 259 00:14:03,440 --> 00:14:05,079 Speaker 1: to be a huge part of that. What are you 260 00:14:05,160 --> 00:14:07,640 Speaker 1: focusing on as a team, as Team Mexico in the 261 00:14:07,720 --> 00:14:08,600 Speaker 1: years leading up to that. 262 00:14:08,920 --> 00:14:11,440 Speaker 2: It's going to be a tough couple of years. As 263 00:14:11,480 --> 00:14:17,080 Speaker 2: a game keeps evolving, countries start investing more and more 264 00:14:17,320 --> 00:14:20,600 Speaker 2: in their athletes in the development of the game. So 265 00:14:20,720 --> 00:14:23,760 Speaker 2: for us, it's all about trying to keep up and 266 00:14:23,840 --> 00:14:27,720 Speaker 2: keep evolving, not only with our players, renewing the team, 267 00:14:27,800 --> 00:14:31,400 Speaker 2: getting new talent, scouting new talent, and making sure we 268 00:14:31,520 --> 00:14:34,320 Speaker 2: have the best of the best representing our country. But 269 00:14:34,960 --> 00:14:38,280 Speaker 2: at the same time, since we are a big reference 270 00:14:38,360 --> 00:14:42,400 Speaker 2: in the game, it's kind of like how we continue 271 00:14:42,600 --> 00:14:47,040 Speaker 2: to change the game, like the way it is played, 272 00:14:48,240 --> 00:14:52,520 Speaker 2: to be more creative on what we do on the field. 273 00:14:52,600 --> 00:14:55,760 Speaker 2: We know that all the teams kind of like. 274 00:14:56,240 --> 00:14:57,720 Speaker 3: Study what we do and. 275 00:15:00,080 --> 00:15:02,760 Speaker 2: That makes it a little bit more challenging but exciting 276 00:15:02,840 --> 00:15:03,680 Speaker 2: at the same time. 277 00:15:04,240 --> 00:15:05,120 Speaker 1: So I think for. 278 00:15:05,240 --> 00:15:08,000 Speaker 2: As right now as in Mexico, it's all about trying 279 00:15:08,040 --> 00:15:12,800 Speaker 2: to find the way to maintain ourselves at the highest 280 00:15:12,920 --> 00:15:20,600 Speaker 2: level and stronger the flatoforms we have in our country, 281 00:15:21,080 --> 00:15:25,840 Speaker 2: to make sure our athletes have their right support to 282 00:15:25,920 --> 00:15:29,440 Speaker 2: develop themselves on the field. 283 00:15:30,160 --> 00:15:34,240 Speaker 1: Yeah. Absolutely, it feels like you are representing this model 284 00:15:34,440 --> 00:15:37,080 Speaker 1: of a super successful athlete, but you also get a 285 00:15:37,120 --> 00:15:39,440 Speaker 1: lot of support because of your endorsements and the brands 286 00:15:39,440 --> 00:15:41,640 Speaker 1: you're working with. You're going to compete in the SI 287 00:15:41,800 --> 00:15:43,880 Speaker 1: Games coming up in October with a bunch of other 288 00:15:43,920 --> 00:15:47,960 Speaker 1: big names across different sports. How do you balance what 289 00:15:48,000 --> 00:15:50,000 Speaker 1: you want to do to grow the game and do 290 00:15:50,040 --> 00:15:52,720 Speaker 1: your flag football camp that you did with kids with 291 00:15:52,840 --> 00:15:55,440 Speaker 1: under Armor, and really spreading the word about it and 292 00:15:55,520 --> 00:15:58,040 Speaker 1: helping make it as successful as it can be in 293 00:15:58,040 --> 00:16:01,320 Speaker 1: the Olympics, versus you personally building your own brand and 294 00:16:01,360 --> 00:16:02,560 Speaker 1: figuring out your own career. 295 00:16:03,120 --> 00:16:07,960 Speaker 2: It's a big challenge to kind of like balance preparing 296 00:16:08,000 --> 00:16:10,320 Speaker 2: myself as an athlete on the field to represent my 297 00:16:10,360 --> 00:16:12,960 Speaker 2: country and at the same time doing everything you just 298 00:16:13,040 --> 00:16:15,400 Speaker 2: mentioned of the field as well being an ambassador of 299 00:16:15,440 --> 00:16:19,200 Speaker 2: the game, trying to help to continue keep opening doors 300 00:16:19,240 --> 00:16:23,000 Speaker 2: and platforms for girls around the world. But you know, 301 00:16:23,280 --> 00:16:25,840 Speaker 2: I think I've been super lucky and blessed to be 302 00:16:25,880 --> 00:16:30,360 Speaker 2: able to connect with amazing people on the way, people 303 00:16:30,440 --> 00:16:34,560 Speaker 2: like you, Sara, we met at the Gatorade Advisory Board, 304 00:16:35,400 --> 00:16:39,480 Speaker 2: like villageing King that now is an amazing mentor for 305 00:16:39,600 --> 00:16:43,320 Speaker 2: me and more other amazing women in the sports and 306 00:16:43,440 --> 00:16:45,280 Speaker 2: on the business area. 307 00:16:45,880 --> 00:16:48,040 Speaker 3: So kind of like I can. 308 00:16:48,520 --> 00:16:55,080 Speaker 2: Have a little bit of direction, but not only that inspiration. 309 00:16:55,200 --> 00:16:59,840 Speaker 2: At the same time, I think one reason that keeps 310 00:16:59,840 --> 00:17:02,680 Speaker 2: me motivate it and inspire is just being part of 311 00:17:02,680 --> 00:17:06,719 Speaker 2: this amazing community to see that we are very aware 312 00:17:06,920 --> 00:17:10,800 Speaker 2: nowadays that everything we do was women on and off 313 00:17:10,960 --> 00:17:14,000 Speaker 2: the field has a bigger impact than ourselves. 314 00:17:14,280 --> 00:17:15,679 Speaker 3: How we all are. 315 00:17:15,600 --> 00:17:18,320 Speaker 2: A the community, committed to change the game, to change 316 00:17:18,320 --> 00:17:22,879 Speaker 2: the narrative and just build opportunities. So yes, that's what 317 00:17:23,160 --> 00:17:26,280 Speaker 2: has been keeping me up in this journey, and I 318 00:17:26,359 --> 00:17:28,879 Speaker 2: just feel very blessed to have an amazing team around me, 319 00:17:29,080 --> 00:17:31,199 Speaker 2: my family and the people that love me. 320 00:17:32,000 --> 00:17:34,080 Speaker 1: You're doing an excellent job. It is a lot of 321 00:17:34,080 --> 00:17:36,520 Speaker 1: weight on your shoulders, but as much as you do 322 00:17:36,560 --> 00:17:39,639 Speaker 1: the things that do benefit you, they're also telling a 323 00:17:39,720 --> 00:17:42,600 Speaker 1: story for people everywhere about the sport and about what 324 00:17:42,760 --> 00:17:45,720 Speaker 1: women can achieve in it. So I'm just really really 325 00:17:45,760 --> 00:17:48,080 Speaker 1: impressed by you. I have one last question. I'd love 326 00:17:48,080 --> 00:17:50,560 Speaker 1: for you to tell the story about the twenty twenty 327 00:17:50,560 --> 00:17:52,440 Speaker 1: three Super Bowl commercial you were in. It was called 328 00:17:52,520 --> 00:17:55,359 Speaker 1: Run with It promoting flag football and looking ahead to 329 00:17:55,359 --> 00:17:57,120 Speaker 1: it being an Olympic sport. You were in it with 330 00:17:57,320 --> 00:18:01,080 Speaker 1: billyje and King, Jalen Ramsey, Aiden Hutchinson, Davante Adams, all 331 00:18:01,119 --> 00:18:04,360 Speaker 1: these stars, but you had no idea that you were 332 00:18:04,400 --> 00:18:06,120 Speaker 1: the star of the ad. Oh. 333 00:18:06,200 --> 00:18:10,040 Speaker 2: Yes, that story never gets old And it all started, 334 00:18:10,080 --> 00:18:12,240 Speaker 2: you know, the day I got a call from the 335 00:18:12,359 --> 00:18:14,639 Speaker 2: NFL pretty much like asking me if I wanted to 336 00:18:14,640 --> 00:18:17,200 Speaker 2: be part of this Super Bowl commercial. 337 00:18:17,400 --> 00:18:19,280 Speaker 3: To be honest, at that moment. 338 00:18:19,040 --> 00:18:24,840 Speaker 2: I didn't kind of like believed that what they were 339 00:18:24,880 --> 00:18:27,439 Speaker 2: really telling me. I couldn't believe, Like, are you asking 340 00:18:27,440 --> 00:18:30,440 Speaker 2: me to be the star of the commercial? I thought, 341 00:18:30,560 --> 00:18:32,520 Speaker 2: to be honest, I thought that I was just going 342 00:18:32,600 --> 00:18:33,239 Speaker 2: to be part of it. 343 00:18:33,280 --> 00:18:34,440 Speaker 3: And I was like, I don't care. 344 00:18:34,480 --> 00:18:36,399 Speaker 2: I'm gonna be happy if I have my you know, 345 00:18:36,640 --> 00:18:38,760 Speaker 2: second of fame right there. 346 00:18:39,160 --> 00:18:40,200 Speaker 3: That's gonna be amazing. 347 00:18:40,320 --> 00:18:42,760 Speaker 2: So that's kind of like what I told my parents 348 00:18:43,040 --> 00:18:46,440 Speaker 2: as well before flying to LA to shoot the commercial. 349 00:18:47,119 --> 00:18:50,040 Speaker 2: And when I got to LA, it was five days, 350 00:18:50,080 --> 00:18:53,760 Speaker 2: twelve hours a day shoot, so I kind of like 351 00:18:53,840 --> 00:18:57,840 Speaker 2: realized how big it was, and I realized that no, I. 352 00:18:57,800 --> 00:19:00,359 Speaker 3: Wasn't part of the commercial. I was a star of 353 00:19:00,359 --> 00:19:01,040 Speaker 3: the commercial. 354 00:19:01,400 --> 00:19:04,480 Speaker 2: And it was just an amazing moment, a big moment 355 00:19:04,600 --> 00:19:09,120 Speaker 2: for me and my sport to be spotlighted at a 356 00:19:09,160 --> 00:19:09,879 Speaker 2: stage like this. 357 00:19:10,560 --> 00:19:14,119 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean, you're it, Tianna. You're it. You're walking 358 00:19:14,160 --> 00:19:18,719 Speaker 1: the sb's red carpet, You're ambassador for brands, you're you know, 359 00:19:18,800 --> 00:19:22,359 Speaker 1: going to USTA Player balls, You're doing all the things 360 00:19:22,400 --> 00:19:25,000 Speaker 1: the GQ Men of the Year Awards. It just feels 361 00:19:25,040 --> 00:19:28,520 Speaker 1: like wherever there's something going on, Dianna is there representing 362 00:19:28,520 --> 00:19:31,159 Speaker 1: herself in the sport. So just keep it up. I 363 00:19:31,200 --> 00:19:33,040 Speaker 1: know you probably need a nap every once in a while, 364 00:19:33,080 --> 00:19:35,800 Speaker 1: so take those naps when you need them. But it's 365 00:19:35,840 --> 00:19:38,600 Speaker 1: just been so impressive to watch you continuing to succeed. 366 00:19:38,680 --> 00:19:41,320 Speaker 1: So good luck. Even though you keep beating Team USA, 367 00:19:41,760 --> 00:19:42,880 Speaker 1: I'm still rooting for you. 368 00:19:43,960 --> 00:19:47,480 Speaker 2: Oh, thank you so much. Amazing things are dead to 369 00:19:47,520 --> 00:19:50,760 Speaker 2: Goma for this sport worldwide. I'm very excited to see 370 00:19:50,800 --> 00:19:54,760 Speaker 2: where Flappable is getting and all these next generations of 371 00:19:54,800 --> 00:19:57,800 Speaker 2: female leaders that now come dream bigger than ever. So 372 00:19:58,000 --> 00:20:02,159 Speaker 2: thank you for having me here, thank you for continuing rooting. 373 00:20:01,920 --> 00:20:03,159 Speaker 3: For awesome the game. 374 00:20:03,400 --> 00:20:06,000 Speaker 2: And there's a lot still that we have to do 375 00:20:06,119 --> 00:20:07,800 Speaker 2: to continue opening those doors. 376 00:20:08,200 --> 00:20:11,200 Speaker 3: So yeah, I'm just excited for what's yet to come. 377 00:20:13,680 --> 00:20:15,960 Speaker 1: Thanks again to Deanna for the chat. We have to 378 00:20:15,960 --> 00:20:19,200 Speaker 1: take another break when we come back. Belcrow is hard. 379 00:20:26,280 --> 00:20:29,080 Speaker 1: Welcome Backslaces. We love that you're listening, but we wanted 380 00:20:29,119 --> 00:20:30,800 Speaker 1: to get in the game every day too, So here's 381 00:20:30,840 --> 00:20:33,439 Speaker 1: our good game play of the day. Follow Deanna on 382 00:20:33,480 --> 00:20:36,679 Speaker 1: social media. We've linked to our Instagram in the show notes, 383 00:20:36,880 --> 00:20:38,280 Speaker 1: and while you're at it, check out some of the 384 00:20:38,359 --> 00:20:40,800 Speaker 1: highlights of her playing flag football. We've linked to a 385 00:20:40,880 --> 00:20:43,480 Speaker 1: video featuring the final between Mexico and the US at 386 00:20:43,480 --> 00:20:46,080 Speaker 1: the recent World Games. We always love to hear from you, 387 00:20:46,160 --> 00:20:48,320 Speaker 1: so send us an email good game at Wondermedia neetwork 388 00:20:48,359 --> 00:20:50,760 Speaker 1: dot com or leave us a voicemail at eight seven 389 00:20:50,840 --> 00:20:54,399 Speaker 1: two two O four fifty seventy and don't forget to subscribe, 390 00:20:54,520 --> 00:20:57,960 Speaker 1: rate and review. Just scroll on down to those stars, 391 00:20:58,240 --> 00:21:01,680 Speaker 1: click five and write us nice little review. It's really 392 00:21:01,680 --> 00:21:05,160 Speaker 1: helpful to the show and it's super easy watch quote 393 00:21:05,200 --> 00:21:09,480 Speaker 1: unquote Playing flag football in elementary school gym class rating 394 00:21:09,800 --> 00:21:13,480 Speaker 1: five out of ten missing velcrow flags review. Now, I 395 00:21:13,480 --> 00:21:16,840 Speaker 1: didn't play much flag football in school, but producer Alex 396 00:21:16,960 --> 00:21:19,880 Speaker 1: says that her school offered it, though it never exactly 397 00:21:19,920 --> 00:21:22,359 Speaker 1: went to plan. The gym teacher would end up spending 398 00:21:22,400 --> 00:21:25,320 Speaker 1: most of the class tracking down the velcrow tails aka 399 00:21:25,359 --> 00:21:27,439 Speaker 1: the flags that each kid had to clip onto their belt, 400 00:21:27,520 --> 00:21:29,440 Speaker 1: But before you could get around to explaining the layout 401 00:21:29,480 --> 00:21:31,600 Speaker 1: of the field or going over the rules, all the 402 00:21:31,680 --> 00:21:35,080 Speaker 1: kids were predictably running around already playing a big game 403 00:21:35,119 --> 00:21:37,640 Speaker 1: of Velcrow Tail Keep Away, and by the time each 404 00:21:37,640 --> 00:21:39,680 Speaker 1: team had taken its place on the field, a third 405 00:21:39,720 --> 00:21:41,679 Speaker 1: of the flags were missing. The other third had been 406 00:21:41,720 --> 00:21:44,639 Speaker 1: shoved down Little Timmy shorts. It was a mess. So 407 00:21:44,680 --> 00:21:48,080 Speaker 1: here's hoping your flag football experience was better than Alex's. 408 00:21:48,280 --> 00:21:51,040 Speaker 1: Now it's your turn, rate and review. Thanks for listen, 409 00:21:51,240 --> 00:21:54,040 Speaker 1: See you later this week. Good Game, Deanna, Good Game, 410 00:21:54,080 --> 00:22:00,560 Speaker 1: Team Mexico. You sun for setting before eight pm. Good 411 00:22:00,640 --> 00:22:03,439 Speaker 1: Game with Sarah Spain is an iHeart women's sports production 412 00:22:03,600 --> 00:22:06,399 Speaker 1: in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can 413 00:22:06,440 --> 00:22:09,720 Speaker 1: find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever 414 00:22:09,800 --> 00:22:13,439 Speaker 1: you get your podcasts. Production by Wonder Media Network, our 415 00:22:13,480 --> 00:22:17,160 Speaker 1: producers are Alex Azzie and Misha Jones. Our executive producers 416 00:22:17,160 --> 00:22:21,200 Speaker 1: are Christina Everett, Jesse Katz, Jenny Kaplan, and Emily Rudder. 417 00:22:21,640 --> 00:22:25,000 Speaker 1: Our editors are Emily Rutterer, Britney Martinez, Grace Lynch, and 418 00:22:25,080 --> 00:22:29,320 Speaker 1: Gianna Palmer. Our associate producer is Lucy Jones. Production assistance 419 00:22:29,359 --> 00:22:32,359 Speaker 1: from Avery Loftus and I'm Your Host Sarah Spain.