Vanita Krouch

Vanita Krouch is the most decorated athlete in flag football history. Often hailed as the "Tom Brady of flag football," she has been a driving force in the sport’s growth and international recognition. She has led the U.S. Women's National Flag Football Team to multiple championships, including gold medals at the 2018, 2021, and 2024 IFAF World Championships, as well as the 2023 IFAF Americas Championship. Under her leadership as quarterback and team captain, the U.S. team boasts an impressive 25-1 record.

Krouch's journey began in a refugee camp in the Philippines, where she was born after her family fled the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia. At just two months old, she moved with her family to the United States, settling in Texas. There, she cultivated her athletic talents, eventually playing four seasons of collegiate basketball at Southern Methodist University. It wasn't until 2006, post-college, that she discovered flag football, quickly rising through the ranks to become a national standout. In 2016, Krouch joined the U.S. Women’s National Flag Football Team. She has since been inducted into the United States Flag and Touch Football League (USFTL).

As flag football prepares to make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles 2028, Krouch is committed to growing the sport and paving the way for future athletes. A true trailblazer, she served as the offensive coordinator for the NFC at the 2023 NFL Pro Bowl flag football game alongside NFC head coach Eli Manning. She has been featured in two NFL Super Bowl commercials.

Off the field, Krouch is dedicated to education and community engagement. She works as an elementary school physical education teacher and supports youth sports initiatives, including fundraising for the Austin Fury, a Texas-based flag football team. Embodying her commitment to the sport, she wears the number 4 jersey and has launched her own clothing line, 4Ward Apparel.