Flag Football Update: A Family Affair

By Casey Leger

For the Bowmans, Fred, Nick, and Eric, the Cornwall Men’s Flag Football League has been a source of family unity. At fifty-five years young, Fred has been in and around the league since he was twenty-one, first as a player and now as an official. Both Nick (twenty-six), and Eric (twenty-two), were introduced to the game by their father. As youngsters, they would watch him play, and they now eagerly contribute to the league.

The transition from playing to officiating isn’t always easy. The biggest difference for Fred is missing the comradery of being on a team. “Referees can be unpopular because you can’t make everybody happy and you can only call what you see,” he explains, “and that’s the same thing across any sport. Having been around the league for so long, I’ve met and made a lot of good friends, so a difficult part is making calls that impact them, like taking a touchdown. You hate to do that but at the same time, it’s your job as an official.” Fred says what he misses most about playing is sacking Brian O’Neill. 

The Bowman brothers have each been playing since they were nineteen. Nick played one year with former teachers of his, Jamie Carr and Josh Greenley, then took a year to play football in the USA for the Seaway Valley Venom. Approached by Chris Nichols on his return to Canada, Nick has been playing and officiating flag ever since. Eric was strongarmed into playing for his brother’s team and has been the cornerstone of the offense, coming off an MVP season and seeking a second.

Nick and Eric have been on the same team for three years. “We don’t necessarily compete with each other, but Eric does elevate my game,” says Nick. “I want to be as good as I can to help the team, and I’m willing to do anything to accomplish that. Plus, there’s all the trash talk he sends my way. I elevate Eric’s game by making him increase his accuracy; I have stone hands.”

The Bowmans have had lots of great moments playing flag football, but for these brothers, the best, as they say, is yet to come. The idea of hoisting the championship cup together is an inspiring one. Fred’s favourite memory is making it to the championship. In twenty-one years, never won one, but he made it. Also, a very gratifying moment for Fred was seeing his two sons join the league and play together.