LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Youth football teams from around the country traveled to Henderson over the weekend for an NFL Flag Football regional tournament that was canceled the morning of the event, after organizers cited unsafe field conditions following heavy rain.
Following the organization’s decision, parents shared video with FOX5 from that morning questioning their explanation for the cancellation.
“Only about a third of an inch of rain, but I guess it’s canceled,” said parent Cody Johnson in a recorded cellphone video.
Parents question the decision
Cody Johnson’s child plays for a Reno team that traveled for the tournament. He and the team arrived early at Heritage Park on game day and sent video of the conditions.
“It had already stopped raining. It was a little bit windy, and it was a little bit cloudy. But us being from Reno, that’s nothing. You gotta play in the weather. That’s what football is all about,” Johnson said.
Tournament registration began at 7:30 a.m., but parents said they were not notified that the games were canceled until minutes before.
“We kept asking, like, well, what can we do? Can we delay? Can we do this? And their answer was just no every time. And that’s what was frustrating,” Johnson said.
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Teams traveled from multiple states
Teams traveled from Hawaii, Montana, Washington, and other locations, and families paid between $300 and $500 per player to participate in the NFL Flag Fall Regional Tournament.
The Everett Elite Flag Football team, a high school girls’ team, traveled from Seattle, Washington.
“At least 12 to $ 1,500 per player, you know, because of round-trip flights, we had families come in, chaperones, hotels, and resort fees,” said Everett Elite Coach Jacob Hiatt.
The coach said the players made personal sacrifices in addition to the cost.
“And a bunch of them missed homecoming — their last homecoming — to be there. I had families that worked overtime to make this work. We fundraised. And it was not easy to get down there,” said Hiatt.
Community response
Parents say they have not yet heard from the organization on when the games will be rescheduled. A local coach, Josh Saga, with Lake Mead Christian Academy opened his field to displaced teams.
“He opened his field and said, ‘If any of the teams want to come scrimmage, I’ll let you come down if you want.’ And, about eight teams moved down,” said Hiatt.
The city of Henderson confirmed that other leagues scheduled at Heritage Park could proceed with their tournaments after a short delay. The city did not cancel the RCX Sports/NFL Flag Las Vegas Raiders Fall Regional.
FOX5 reached out to RCX but has not received a response.
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