On December 4, a group of Latinas gathered at UCLA’s training center in El Segundo for the Neutrogena Flag Football Mini Camp. The event, hosted by Mexican flag football star Diana Flores and Emmy-winning NFL reporter MJ Acosta-Ruiz, was an empowering blend of sports, self-care, and community. Guests weren’t just there to learn about flag football—they got hands-on experience, from running drills to applying sunscreen for on-the-field protection.

Between sprints, skincare tutorials, and an exhilarating game of Rabbit Chase, I had the opportunity to sit down with Flores and Acosta-Ruiz. Their stories reflect the growing popularity of flag football and the broader fight to break gender and cultural barriers in sports.

How Diana Flores and MJ Acosta-Ruiz First Teamed Up

Diana Flores and MJ Acosta-Ruiz share a bond rooted in mutual admiration and their passion for sports. Speaking about their connection, Acosta-Ruiz recalled their first meeting: “We linked up three or four years ago after Diana won the gold at the World Flag Championships. She came into my show at NFL Network—that was one of the first interviews we did, and instantly, I was like, ‘Ok. Period. Love her.’”

Flores echoed the sentiment, calling it an instant connection. “Ever since, we’ve been able to collaborate on so many things. This is a big next step for us—not just for our friendship, but for us as Latinas in sports as well,” Acosta-Ruiz added.

For Flores, events like the Neutrogena Flag Football Mini Camp provide an opportunity to celebrate more than just the sport. “I feel very excited—not only to share this moment with my friend MJ but also to share our passion for the game, skincare, self-care, and self-love,” she shared. “To combine all of those things in a special day with all these amazing ladies is incredible.”

Diana Flores on Breaking Barriers as a Latina in Sports

Growing up as the only girl on an all-boys team, Diana Flores encountered her fair share of challenges. However, she views those experiences as transformative. “Along my journey as an athlete, I have had so many challenges, but I’ve also learned so many powerful lessons,” she explained.

Her biggest takeaway? Embrace your power and defy expectations. “The biggest lesson has been to embrace who I am—to never be afraid, to never let anyone underestimate me or say what I can or can’t do,” Flores said. She also emphasized the importance of shifting perspectives, recalling how her teammates’ attitudes changed during her time on the all-boys team.

“Sometimes we have to stop putting ourselves in the role of victims and understand that we have the power to make a change through connection and real passion for what we do,” she explained.

MJ Acosta-Ruiz on Representing Afro-Latinas in the NFL

As the first Afro-Latina to host a show on the NFL Network, MJ Acosta-Ruiz is no stranger to breaking barriers. Reflecting on this milestone, she described it as a defining moment.

“To be the first woman of color, period, to host a show on that network, period, was a really big point of pride for me,” Acosta-Ruiz said. “It was such a line of demarcation—not just in my career, but in the industry as well.”

She highlighted the ripple effect of representation, particularly for younger generations. “There’s this entire generation of young women who can say, ‘Now I can see it. It’s attainable for me.’ There’s something for them to strive for, just by the mere fact that they see themselves represented. That is a huge, huge thing,” she explained.

Flag Football’s Rapid Growth and Impact on Latinas

Flag football is one of the fastest-growing sports globally, and Diana Flores is at the forefront of its expansion. “We have more than 20 million players all around the globe, in more than 100 countries right now,” she reported. Notably, the sport has been added to the Olympics for LA28, a testament to its increasing popularity.

Flores sees flag football as a gateway for women to achieve their dreams, both on and off the field. “This sport is creating scholarships for colleges—not only here in the States, but also in Mexico, my country,” she shared. Flores herself is a testament to the power of these opportunities, having completed college thanks to a flag football scholarship.

She also emphasized the cultural shift the sport has inspired for Latinas. “For a long time, we were told, ‘No. You cannot do this; [football is] a sport for boys; you are too young.’ I think this sport is giving us the opportunity to break down all those ‘No’s and show up to the world as we truly are,” Flores said.

Advice from Diana Flores and MJ Acosta-Ruiz: Just Start Moving

For those hesitant to embrace physical activity, both Flores and Acosta-Ruiz offered encouragement. Acosta-Ruiz emphasized that athleticism comes in many forms: “Everybody has the capacity to be an athlete in their own way. It doesn’t have to be at the professional level, necessarily. Am I a pilates athlete? Maybe,” she joked. “But as long as you’re moving your body and finding something you enjoy, that’s what matters.”

Flores echoed this sentiment, urging people to embrace imperfection. “Encourage yourself to try new things,” she said. “Be brave enough to allow yourself to not be perfect. That’s a big expectation we sometimes put on ourselves.”

A Celebration of Strength and Sisterhood

The Neutrogena Flag Football Mini Camp wasn’t just a day of drills and sunscreen. It was a celebration of resilience, representation, and the power of Latinas in sports. Diana Flores and MJ Acosta-Ruiz continue to lead the way, showing that breaking barriers is about more than individual achievements—it’s about creating opportunities for others.

As Flores put it, “Our true superpower is embracing all our facets.” Whether on the field or in front of the screen, these women are proof that sports and self-care can go hand in hand, inspiring a new generation to rise above barriers and redefine the game.

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