2 Minutes With … Diana Flores, Flag Football Champion

Working with the NFL and the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) as the sport’s global ambassador, Diana seeks to advance Flag’s reach worldwide. She has represented Mexico since 2014, becoming the youngest player at the Grosseto Italia IFAF world championships.

Since then, Diana has competed in dozens of tournaments, repping her homeland on the world stage. She has won many awards and accolades, including four national titles since 2017, a Bronze World Cup Medal in 2016, a Silver Medal in 2021, a Best Offensive Player prize at the World Flag Football Championship in 2018, and the Most Valuable Player Award at the 2022 World Games.

We spent two minutes with Diana to learn more about her background, her creative inspirations and recent work she’s admired.

Diana, tell us …

Where you grew up, and where you live now.

I grew up in Mexico City, and I still live here.

Your earliest sports memory.

Throwing the football around with my dad every night after we arrived home from practice.

Your favorite sports team(s).

I don’t have a favorite team. But the Pittsburgh Steelers will always be a team I root for because my dad is a big fan.

Your favorite athlete(s).

Allyson Felix, Serena Williams and Billie Jean King. I also recently had the opportunity to read Scout Bassett’s book Lucky Girl: Lessons on Overcoming Odds and Building a Limitless Future. She’s now one of my heroes.

Your favorite sports show or podcast.

One of my favorite sports podcasts is El Huddle with MJ Acosta and Will Selva.

Your favorite sports movie and/or video game.

Some of my favorites are King Richard, Friday Night Lights and The Swimmers.

A recent project you’re proud of.

I am proud of the UA Next Flag Football Camp, where we hosted over 100 youth female athletes. It makes me happy to help build more opportunities for women in sports.

Someone else’s project that you admired recently.

I love Pam Baker’s Women’s Coaching Alliance. Diversity in leadership is so important and women are ready to lead! Plus, seeing more women coaches in sports inspires younger generations to pursue opportunities.

Something coming up for your organization that you are excited about.

Hosting a girls’ flag football camp in Mexico City alongside Under Armour, which should be so much fun! I’m also looking forward to competing at the IFAF Flag Football World Cup in Finland.

What sports can do that nothing else can.

Sports are inclusive and break barriers, including gender and cultural barriers. Sports bring people together who have tremendous heart and passion and who know what it means to work hard and leave it all on the field.  

What you’d be doing if you weren’t in the sports world.

If I weren’t an athlete, I would probably work in marketing or do something in the music industry. (I’ve been playing the piano since I was 10 years old.)