The American Flag Football League’s Dallas team now has a name – and mascot: the Ocelots.
“We are excited to unveil our team names and logos, each representing the uniqueness of the communities where the AFFL expects to have a lasting impact,” COO and President Brian Michael Cooper said in a prepared statement in a news release.
“It was critical that we capture the essence of each market and also the vision and mission of building a community of fans and players who will bring these brands to life with their energy in and outside the stadium,” Cooper added.
The Dallas Ocelots is one of four teams that make up the AFFL. The others, which also learned of their names and mascots this week, are the Nashville Nighthawks, Boston Brigade and Las Vegas Lucky Sevens.
Dallas’ head coach is Patrick Alley, a gold medal-winning assistant coach of Team USA at the World Games in 2022, according to the Ocelots’ website. He was a head coach and offensive coordinator in the Arena Football League, and he won three national flag football championships as a quarterback.
The other head coaches in the league are Chris Hughes for the Nashville Nighthawks; Matt Bailey for the Boston Brigade; and Jerry Urias for the Las Vegas Lucky Sevens.
The AFFL season starts on April 27 at Cashman Field in Las Vegas. The championship game is scheduled to take place in North Texas on June 22 at The Star in Frisco.
Founded in 2016, the AFFL has created men’s and women’s amateur and youth leagues across the U.S. More than 40 youth leagues include over 12,000 players.
CNN reported in October that flag football will debut as an Olympic sport during the 2028 Summer Games.
A recreational game played among members of the military in the 1940s, flag football has since become popular for adults and youth alike, especially “females who have fewer opportunities to flex their football talents,” according to CNN.
