In my 20’s I played in a Flag League that was about as physical as this, and sometimes after we’d play an extra game of tackle afterwards. That’s why my left shoulder now has a floating collar bone. Once I hit my 30’s, I realized it wasn’t worth the injury potential any more.
As I near 50 I can confidently say theses leagues are where all the high school and college has beens try to eke out a couple more years of glory days. Has zero to do with the love of the game and everything to do with making big hits and laying dudes out to fill that primal urge they still have. Some dudes I played with swore there were NFL scouts in the bushes looking to discover a hidden gem in the world of flag football.
There was one asshole in the league that got tossed because he loaded every stiff arm like a punch, and was open hand striking dudes in the face. And I witnessed some of the most devastating blind side blocks ever in these games. Yeah, definitely a league of assholes. I was one too for a hot minute, but it gets old quick. Especially if you start missing work, because of it.
Now with this Achilles tear, even my pick up Basketball days are done. Time to hang up anything team related, lol.