The Tamer Alternative: Exploring Flag Football at the Menzenberger Stadium

Flag Football Tournament in Bad Honnef Showcases the Tamer Side of American Football

By Gabriela Quarg

Bad Honnef – The flag football tournament held at the Menzenberger Stadium in Bad Honnef proved that this sport is not as rough as it may seem. Despite the players wearing protective clothing, flag football is considered the “harmless” version of American football. The game involves bringing the ball into the opponent’s end zone through runs or passes, but without any physical contact. The name of the game comes from the flags that players wear on their belts. When these flags are torn off by the opponent, the play is stopped. This flag pulling is equivalent to tackling in American football. The players also wear mouthguards to protect against potential clashes during the game.

The Rheinland Rabbits from Bad Honnef had high hopes for their home game, aiming to win every match, according to team manager Christian Lohr. However, they fell short of their goal, losing two out of four games against the Niederschelden Miners and the Cologne Pandas. Despite this setback, the team took it in stride. Lohr emphasized the importance of dealing with setbacks and how they contribute to personal growth. Coach Nils Hack expressed his confidence in the team, highlighting their youth, dynamism, and unity. The Rabbits rely on a strong running game to secure ball possession, unlike many other teams that heavily rely on passing.

The Rabbits have been actively participating in state and federal level competitions for a year. What initially started as a fun activity on the island of Grafenwerth in 2020 has evolved into a professional endeavor. In late 2021, the team joined the Honnefer football club (HFV) to be eligible to compete in Bundesliga games. The HFV welcomed the team with open arms.

Flag football is not limited to male players. The Rheinland Rabbits currently have 20 active players between the ages of 17 and 42, including one female player. Unlike traditional American football, where girls and women often serve as cheerleaders, flag football provides an opportunity for them to actively participate. Kim Westkamper, who played football passionately for nine years before an injury forced her to stop, found her way to flag football because of its non-contact nature. She expressed her enthusiasm for the sport, highlighting the camaraderie and support within the team. The Rabbits are eager to welcome more women to their ranks, emphasizing the requirement of being able to run and catch.

The Rheinland Rabbits take pride in having a talented player, 17-year-old Theo Hack, in their team. Theo has even made it to the extended squad of the U17 national team. Lohr commended Theo’s performance, stating that he has become an important pillar of the team since their first official season last year.

In addition to the competition, the tournament also served as a platform for a registration campaign for the German Bone Marrow Donor Center (DKMS). Twelve new potential bone marrow donors were recruited during the event. Although the Rabbits had hoped for a larger response, they were pleased with the support from the visitors and players who had already registered.

Overall, the flag football tournament in Bad Honnef showcased the sport’s tamer side while highlighting the Rheinland Rabbits’ determination, inclusivity, and community engagement.

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Flag football tournaments, and the recent tournament in Bad Honnef showcased the tamer side of American football. The tournament, held at the Menzenberger Stadium, demonstrated that flag football is a less rough version of the sport. Despite the players wearing protective clothing, flag football involves no physical contact. Instead, players aim to bring the ball into the opponent’s end zone through runs or passes, with the play being stopped when the opponent tears off the player’s flag.

The Rheinland Rabbits from Bad Honnef had high hopes for their home game in the tournament. However, they fell short of their goal, losing two out of four games against the Niederschelden Miners and the Cologne Pandas. Despite this setback, the team remained resilient and emphasized the importance of dealing with setbacks for personal growth.

Team manager Christian Lohr spoke about the team’s determination to win every match, while coach Nils Hack highlighted the youth, dynamism, and unity of the Rabbits. The team relies on a strong running game instead of heavy reliance on passing, setting them apart from many other teams.

Overall, the flag football tournament in Bad Honnef showcased the non-contact nature of the sport and highlighted the resilience and unique playing style of the Rheinland Rabbits from Bad Honnef.