More Than 500 Children Take Part In Los Angeles Chargers NFL Flag Football Camps In Santorini
- by XpatAthens
- Tuesday, 03 November 2026
NFL Legends Join The Camps, As Chargers Watch Parties Bring Fans Together In Santorini & Athens
The Los Angeles Chargers returned to Santorini on Friday, October 16, hosting NFL Flag Football Camps that brought together more than 500 children at the Thira Municipal Stadium and the Kamari Municipal Stadium, with the support of the Municipality of Thira.
A Chargers delegation, together with coaches from the Hellenic Flag Football League, led the camps, giving the children a hands-on introduction to the sport. Every participant received a commemorative gift.
Now in its second season in Greece, the Chargers’ NFL Flag Football initiative continues to grow, with participation on the island nearly doubling compared to last year. Through drills and introductory sessions, the children learned the fundamentals of the game, including passing, catching and flag pulling, while experiencing the core values of teamwork, discipline, inclusion and sportsmanship. Families and friends filled the stands to cheer them on, turning both stadiums into a celebration of the sport.
NFL Legends On The Field
Three NFL Legends joined the camps: Super Bowl champion Stevan Ridley, Greek-American linebacker Niko Koutouvides and Chargers Legend Melvin Gordon.
For Greek fans, Koutouvides brings a special story. A son of the Greek diaspora, with family roots in Kefalonia, he twice made it to football’s biggest stage, playing in Super Bowl XL and Super Bowl XLVI .
Gordon, the Chargers’ 2015 first-round pick and a two-time Pro Bowl selection, is one of the most productive running backs in franchise history, with more than 4,200 rushing yards and 47 touchdowns in five seasons with the team.
Back in Santorini for a second year, Gordon found personal meaning in the camps, as flag football is where his own journey began:
“I had an amazing time here last year, especially getting to spend time with the kids as they learned the game. I started out playing flag football, too, before I ever put on pads, and I think it’s a great foundation for understanding football. I love this game, and I’m always excited for the chance to share that love with the next generation.”
Reflecting on the growing turnout, Gordon added: “It’s exciting to see how many more kids are here than last time and how full the stands are, too. You can feel the sport taking root in Greece, and I’m excited to be part of its growth.”
Alongside the camps, the Chargers delegation visited the Special Education Primary School of Fira which serves children with special educational needs and disabilities, handing out commemorative gifts to the students.
Watch Parties In Santorini & Athens
The Chargers’ stay on the island wrapped up on Sunday, October 18, with a watch party at Sandblu Santorini, where media and VIP guests from Greece’s NFL community gathered to watch the team take on the Kansas City Chiefs on a packed evening.
Earlier in the season, Greece’s NFL community and many guests filled the Hard Rock Cafe Athens, in the heart of the city, for another Chargers watch party.
Watch parties do more than put a game on a big screen. Many guests know American football only from highlights; at a watch party, they follow a full game alongside other fans, ask questions, pick up the rules and see how the game unfolds play by play. These events also bring something new to Greece’s sports and entertainment scene, building on the excitement of the flag football camps and connecting the Greek public with the Chargers and the NFL.
By combining education and entertainment, the Chargers continue to bring Greek fans closer to the game and to grow a dedicated NFL community in Greece – one season, one camp and one watch party at a time.
For more information on upcoming Chargers initiatives in Greece, visit www.chargers.com or follow Chargers Greece on social media: Instagram
LIFE & CULTURE
