It was a kid’s dream. Kane Buchanan took a snap, rolled right and threw the winning touchdown pass in overtime.
The play meant Team Australia would advance in the playoff bracket of the 2023 International NFL Flag Championships in Las Vegas.
The 11-year-old Buchannan celebrated for about a second with his teammates, then walked around them. He bent over and offered his hand to help up a German defender who had fallen on the play.
One of the most powerful lessons we can learn from sports is how to represent our team, and ultimately, how to represent ourselves. The way he plays flag football tells us something about Kane.
“I always say to him,” his father, Dave Buchanan, told USA TODAY Sports in a recent interview, “‘just lead by example.'”
SUPER BOWL CENTRAL: Latest Super Bowl 58 news, stats, odds, matchups and more.
The weekend before the Chiefs and 49ers play in Super Bowl 58, kids from 12 countries outside the United States will travel to Orlando, Florida, for the second international flag championships. Games will be played Friday and Saturday before everyone comes together to watch NFL players play flag football in the Pro Bowl Games championship at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium.
In speaking with some families of the players will be attending the events, one senses their national pride, but also their spirit of international community.
“Bahamians are socialites,” says Garvin Newball, whose son, Gianno, is playing with teammates from his country. “Some of them…
