CHAPEL HILL – Flag Football Elite, a nonprofit youth flag football league co-founded by former professional athletes Cedric Peerman and Dr. Hagar Elgendy, has been invited to participate in the 2026 NFL FLAG National Championships Presented by Toyota, one of the premiere national championship events in youth flag football. The league is the only one from the state represented at the championship event.

The Championships will showcase top youth flag football teams from across the country, along with international teams representing 12 countries, for a national and global event of the sport’s growth, talent and future. Select championship competition will be televised and streamed across ESPN and Disney+ platforms, giving athletes the opportunity to compete on a national stage and be part of one of the most visible youth flag football events in the country.

For Flag Football Elite, this invitation represents a major milestone not only for the league but for the athletes and families it serves across Chatham County, Chapel Hill, Durham, the greater Triangle region and the state.

“This is an incredible opportunity for our athletes to see what is possible,” said Peerman, a former nine-year NFL veteran and Pro Bowler, and current UNC football team chaplain. “Our goal has always been to create meaningful opportunities for kids in this region — opportunities to compete, grow, be seen and represent their community with pride. To have our players invited to the national championship stage, and to represent North Carolina as the only team from the state, is a blessing and a reflection of the hard work of our athletes, coaches and families.”

Founded last year, Flag Football Elite has quickly grown into one of the region’s most active youth flag football programs, serving approximately 2,000 athletes across seasonal leagues, travel programming, skills development and community-based initiatives. As a nonprofit, the league remains deeply committed to access and opportunity, with more than 20% scholarship participation to help reduce financial barriers for families and ensure that cost is not the reason a child cannot play.

Beyond competition, Flag Football Elite is committed to developing the whole athlete. The league integrates mental toughness sessions, nutrition education, leadership development, and guest speakers from professional and elite athletic backgrounds to help young athletes understand what is possible beyond their current environment. Through these experiences, athletes are encouraged to dream bigger, train with purpose, and see themselves as capable of competing at the highest levels.

“Our mission has never been just about football,” said Elgendy, a former Division I athlete and Team Egypt swimmer. “It is about building confidence, creating safe spaces for children to compete, developing leaders, and opening doors for athletes who may not otherwise have access to these types of opportunities. As former athletes ourselves, we know how powerful sport can be in changing the trajectory of a young person’s life.”

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