Today we’d like to introduce you to Elisa De Santis.
Hi Elisa , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was 10 years old and looking for a soccer team. I accidentally joined a flag football team instead. After the first practice, I fell in love with the sport. I loved everything: the football itself, the skills required, the game, the mentality, and the people.
From then on, a new passion was born. For many years, I was the only girl on the team, but that felt normal to me. At a young age, I started playing for the national team—first as part of the U15 squad and later at the senior level. I won both an European Championship and a World Championship. I was named MVP of the European Championship twice and selected as an All-Star offense and on defense.
At 18, I started playing tackle football—initially with boys and then later with a women’s team. Later, I created my own women’s flag football team, called Redlips. I’ve traveled the world and absolutely love discovering new places and experiencing different cultures. Whenever I’ve been in a new country, I’ve always had the chance to be welcomed by local teams and spend the season with them. Those experiences will stay in my mind and heart forever.
This year, I had the huge honnor to be part of the NFL super bowl commercial. It was an amazing experience.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey has always been a joy thanks of my deep passion for flag football. Now, the challenges lie in balancing work with finding enough time to practice after hours and ensuring I’m available for games on the weekends.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As flag football isn’t a professional sport yet, I have to work full time. I work in a gym as a personal trainer and I do extras in schools with kids also.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I don’t know if I have a single favorite memory, but I do remember spending hours as a kid playing outside with my friends in my neighborhood in Paris. Another fond memory is the excitement I felt every time I went to my flag football practice—I never wanted it to end.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: elisa.desantis19
- LinkedIn: Elisa De Santis
Image Credits
@fffa @stephanieThinn
