### Prince William Joins the American Football Craze in the UK

In a refreshing twist, a Kennington park in south London served as the surprising stage for Prince William's latest venture into American football. Trading in royal duties momentarily, he demonstrated his prowess as a quarterback, much to the delight of onlookers. Phoebe Schecter, captain of Britain's women's flag football team, even praised his throwing abilities as "unbelievable."

Flag football, a non-contact iteration of American football, has gained popularity with around 60,000 boys and girls participating across 650 schools in the UK. This variant of the sport is set to debut at the Olympics when the Games are held in Los Angeles in 2028. Prince William, reminiscing about his younger days, mentioned to Schecter that he had some experience with American football, despite being more famously a supporter of Aston Villa.

Schecter was impressed with the prince's potential on the gridiron. She lauded his strong arm and noted that when he launched his first ball, its power left her in awe. She also delved into technicalities, discussing offensive strategies and the quarterback's cadence—a series of pre-play signals in American football.

At the event, Prince William crossed paths with Louis Rees-Zammit, a former Welsh rugby player who now plays for the NFL team Jacksonville Jaguars. The occasion assembled children from Birmingham, Manchester, and London, showcasing the broad appeal of NFL flag football. The prince was particularly heartened by the growing participation of women in the sport, remarking on how wonderful it was to see increased female involvement.

Prince William also shared a light-hearted moment when he received a football for his children. Emphasizing familial priorities, he humorously advised, "Never go home empty handed, that's a crucial motto. They will love that, we'll do some practicing at home - see how many windows I can smash."

Overall, the day underscored the increasing enthusiasm for American football in the UK, with royal endorsement adding an extra layer of excitement to the sport's burgeoning popularity.