Just about every team you can think of at any level, in any sport, has lost at least once since 2012.
But the U.S. Men’s Flag National Team hasn’t… at least not until Friday.
That’s right: a 14-year winning streak has come to an end for our nation’s top flag football players, but if the streak had to end, it may have come at the best possible time.
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The US flag football team suffered a shocking defeat to American Samoa, their first one in 14 years. (Photo by Ina FASSBENDER / AFP)
As you’re no doubt aware, the IFAF World Championship is taking place in Düsseldorf, Germany — which is precisely where everyone’s brain goes when they think “flag football” — and the Americans had a date with American Samoa.
Obviously, the Americans came in favored, seeing as they hadn’t lost since Obama was in office, “The Dark Knight Rises” hit theaters and the London Olympics took place.
But the squad from American Samoa — led by former Maryland QB and current Tua brother Taulia Tagovailoa — did the unthinkable and handed the Americans an L.
Unbelievable.
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The U.S. is still alive in the tournament, and while having your 14-year win streak snapped has to sting, I think it happened at a good time.
I’m one of those people who thinks every dominant team needs that wake-up loss. The one that reminds you that even if you boatraced every other team for nearly a decade and a half, you’re not invincible.
So, this is one of those moments, and it comes just two years before flag football is set to take a spot at the Olympics.
American Samoa pulled off what we should all feel confident saying is the biggest flag football upset in the history of the world. (Photo by Ina FASSBENDER / AFP)
And there will be a lot of eyes on that competition, because there’s talk of NFLers trying to crack the roster… and also, what else is everyone going to watch instead? Rhythmic gymnastics?
Of course not.
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So, fourteen lossless years was a good run, and it should make going two years without a loss seem like an absolute cakewalk.
