Mike Martin, a former Bengals wide receiver and former head football coach at Taft High School, is set to operate an NFL FLAG league in Cincinnati in 2025. NFL FLAG named Martin the 2024 Market Flag Operator of the Year at the NFL FLAG Summit last December for his league in Chicago.
The Cincinnati League will begin June 20 and run through August 2 at Taft High School's Stargel Stadium. Registration is open for boys and girls ages 5-14.
Martin, currently a National Wide Receivers Coach for RIVALS, is excited about the opportunity to bring NFL FLAG to Cincinnati.
"I think it's a great opportunity for these kids to be a part of something that's blossoming in front of our eyes," Martin told WCPO9.
NFL FLAG has exploded in popularity, with over 2,000 leagues across the U.S., 760,000 participants and 15 international markets.
"The Bengals are excited to support Mike Martin and the Marcus Martin Foundation to provide more youth football opportunities for kids in Cincinnati through NFL FLAG," Director of Community Engagement Taylor Conklin said. "Mike has a passion for teaching the fundamentals of the game and mentoring youth. We are fortunate to have him back in Cincinnati sharing his knowledge and time to positively influence the next generation."
Martin's son, Marcus, passed away when he was 25 from Pulmonary Embolism. The Marcus Martin Foundation was founded to "inspire, motivate and empower others… one community at a time." The Foundation sponsors the "Imagery of a Dream" Scholarship, which provides financial assistance to college-bound student athletes. The Foundation also sponsors Free Youth Fundamental Football Camps, Fitness Workout Sessions and Exposure to Movie and Film opportunities, which were passions of Marcus.
"Getting an opportunity to impact our young people on behalf of Marcus, our son, is a wonderful thing," Martin said.
Official NFL FLAG Leagues are eligible to compete in regional tournaments in all 32 club markets. Winners of regional tournaments can go on to compete in the NFL FLAG Championships in Canton, Ohio, and ESPN will air the top boys' and girls' division games.
"The benefits of flag football are you're getting an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of running, throwing, catching and playing defense," Martin said. "The key is to get out there, be active and compete. Do something that they probably thought they would never do, and they're having fun."
Martin's Chicago league grew steadily by about 25 kids each season, and he's confident the Cincinnati league can succeed as well. Martin has reached out to some of his former teammates to assist in the growth of NFL FLAG in Cincinnati as well.
"I know I can make this thing incredible in Cincinnati," Martin said. "I can blow this thing up, and I can make a huge impact."
The Bengals hosted an NFL Flag In-School event for DECA PREP elementary school in Dayton on Friday. Bengals rookies instructed 3rd and 4th grade students through football specific drills including running, throwing and receiving. Students also participated in flag football games coached by the rookies. This event is part of the Bengals Flag In-School program, presented locally by Kettering Health. The Bengals presented DECA PREP with a free Flag-In-Schools Kit which supports high quality physical education through a 10-week flag football curriculum.
