When you mention Bobby Taylor, you might immediately think of an impressive cornerback, especially if you’re a fan of Notre Dame or the Philadelphia Eagles.

However, Taylor’s time as a player was a surprise to his youngest child.

Asher, while browsing YouTube one day — something his dad admits he probably shouldn’t have been doing — stumbled upon videos of Taylor playing for the Fighting Irish.

“Dad, why didn’t you ever mention this?” he asked.

“I didn’t mean to hide it from you,” Taylor explained, “but since you’ve found out, let’s chat about it.”

“It all came about naturally,” Taylor shared with YSL News Sports.

Taylor was an All-American during his college years and enjoyed a 10-year career in the NFL, primarily with Eagles teams that frequently made the playoffs. In his life after football, he has focused on encouraging his three sons in various sports, accepting that they may not necessarily choose the sport he holds dear.

“Deep down, there’s some selfishness,” he admits. “When they say, ‘I want to play football,’ I’m celebrating inside, popping champagne. But externally, I let them follow their own interests.”

This is a common challenge many parents face when trying to nudge their kids toward their favorite sport.

“I see some parents trying to relive their own dreams through their kids, but that’s not something I want to do,” he continues. “It’s ultimately unproductive.”

Now 50, Taylor has worked with the NFL’s football operations department for about six years. He plays a significant role in creating initiatives for a sport that is now a growing trend for girls, with flag football becoming a sanctioned varsity sport in 13 states (and expanding) and nearly 20 more states piloting programs.

Flag football is gaining popularity among children of different athletic abilities and backgrounds. It’s a sport that many parents haven’t played, allowing kids to shape their own experiences.

“Watching young boys and girls during their first practice, by the end of the season, they seem like completely different kids,” Taylor observes. “You can really see their growth.”

We spoke with Taylor about how to help children discover their own athletic pathways, emphasizing the importance of minimal parental interference.

(The questions and answers have been shortened for clarity.)

We can introduce our kids to sports we love, but they might excel if we let them explore their own interests.

It all began with the sounds.

On Saturday mornings, the cheers from a nearby park in Longview, Texas, filled Bobby Taylor’s yard.

“What’s happening over there?” young Taylor wondered, even before he was old enough to join Little League football.

Following his father’s footsteps, Taylor grew up with sport as a central theme. Robert Taylor won gold in the 4×100 relay and earned a silver medal in the 100 meters at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Although track was Bobby’s initial passion, he eventually chose football.

Now back in Texas, Bobby Taylor supports his two younger sons, Alexander, 11, and Asher, 8, as they participate in flag football, soccer, and basketball. Their older brother, also named Bobby and currently on a football scholarship at Texas A&M, began with flag football at an early age.

“Asher? At five, he was not exactly playing, but he was definitely running around,” Taylor chuckles. “He thought he was competing, but really he was just out there having fun.”

This is how most kids start in sports. It’s often up to parents to decide how long they remain involved.

 Having a 20-year-old, do you have any advice for parents of young athletes?

Bobby Taylor: It’s tough for many parents not to project their own missed opportunities onto their kids. I’ve seen kids forced into sports they have no interest in due to parental pressure. It’s crucial to avoid placing undue expectations on your children, especially if they reflect personal regrets. I achieved a lot — I made it to Notre Dame, had a long NFL career — but I wouldn’t impose my wishes on my kids.

How did you transition from track to football?

BT: I ran track through my senior year in high school. The skills I gained in track significantly contributed to my success in football. Track was my first competitive experience, and from there, I naturally progressed to basketball and then football. My parents allowed me to try various sports. Early specialization in just one sport in junior high can be detrimental. Participating in multiple sports not only gives different muscles a break but also helps develop skills that are transferable across different sports.

When did your eldest son begin to focus solely on football?

BT: I would estimate around his sophomore year in high school. He was naturally faster than me and had impressive basketball skills too. Ultimately, the decision came from him wanting to focus on football, and while I tried to guide him, I respected his choice and fully supported it.

Explore Your Starting Point and Chase Your Passion

Nearly twenty years ago, a girl played the sport she loved on a makeshift dirt field in Mexico City. Diana Flores remembered her coach encouraging the girls to bring trash bags to clear their practice area.

“As an eight-year-old, I wasn’t aware of how dire that situation was,” Flores, now 27, shared with YSL News’s Christine Brennan at the Project Play Summit in Baltimore last spring. “Sometimes, people just need someone who believes in them—someone who trusts their abilities and is willing to invest in them, betting on them to change the game in life.”

Today, flag football boasts over 20 million players across more than 100 countries. Standing at 5-3, Flores is now a role model, recognized for her speed in a Super Bowl commercial.

As the team captain and quarterback, Flores led Mexico to the World Games in Birmingham, Alabama, in 2022, where Taylor and his family watched as her team triumphed over the U.S. in the women’s flag football championship.

More than two years later, various colleges and universities (NCAA, NAIA, and junior colleges) have begun to offer varsity flag football programs for women.

“I encounter numerous parents, especially fathers, who are passionate about football,” Taylor details. “They can now sit down with their daughters and discuss the game’s strategies because their girls are actively engaged in the sport.”

Why do you think a flag is a great way to introduce kids to football?

BT: Consider how rapidly points are scored and how quickly momentum can shift. Teamwork is essential. The game is fast-paced, allowing players to run around, and many skills are transferrable to tackle football, like positioning on defense to pull a flag or running the ball offensively without worrying about collisions. If kids aren’t ready to wear pads and helmets, starting with flag football is beneficial. Above all, the main goal is to have fun, which is essential to build their skills and confidence.

Communicate Effectively and Maintain an Open Dialogue with Coaches

Taylor aims to have flag football recognized as a high school varsity sport for girls in all 50 states.

This sport will also feature as an Olympic event for both genders at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Taylor asserts that flag football isn’t a lesser form of the sport but rather an extension of it. He also champions traditional football as a co-chair of the NFL Legends Youth Advisory Committee.

“Football often faces scrutiny,” Taylor remarks, “especially regarding its physical nature and potential injuries associated with it.”

Do you believe tackle football is safer now than it was during your playing days?

BT: Absolutely. I reflect on the risky practices that have been eliminated, such as certain drills like the Oklahoma drill. Also, we’ve emphasized the language used during coaching. There are specific phrases that should not be used, particularly around tackling. In my youth, coaches would say, ‘Put your face into it.’ Now, we improve the game by teaching safer techniques, which is why proper shoulder pad usage is essential.

Coaches often overlook the importance of pulling kids out if they show signs of a concussion until they recover.

BT: Open communication is crucial, not just among coaches but also with parents. It’s important to ask questions like, ‘What’s your plan?’ If a child exhibits concussion symptoms, what measures are in place to ensure their safety? We need to avoid a macho mentality of saying, ‘Just shake it off and go back in.’ The consequences can be serious.

‘Sports is a privilege’ that shapes our identity

Currently, in collaboration with the NFL, YSL News Sports has introduced a Super 25 high school ranking for girls’ flag football.

This marks a significant moment for Taylor, who once made YSL News’s All-USA football team during his high school years. He recalls being equally proud to graduate with honors. These accolades underscore the real purpose behind youth sports: they aren’t solely about producing professional athletes or earning scholarships, but about building confidence that helps kids excel in various life areas.

It’s essential for all of us to foster that spirit.

You’ve also engaged in mentoring college students preparing for the NFL draft. What advice do you offer them?

BT: Character is a significant aspect we often discuss. It’s important not to just share the good experiences but also to be transparent and honest. There are

There were many mistakes I made, and I aim to learn from them. In today’s world, it’s difficult to keep things hidden forever; eventually, they will be revealed.

You’ve mentioned that it took a community to help raise you. Are you referring to your family and your neighborhood?

BT: My grandmother had her own version of a strict ‘No Pass, No Play’ rule regarding the grades I needed to maintain in order to participate in extracurriculars. Playing sports demands a lot of time that could otherwise be spent on studies, but my parents never allowed that to be an excuse. They believed that participating in sports is a privilege, and that’s how I have raised my own kids.

Fortunately, my kids are fans of football. They don’t cheer for the Philadelphia Eagles yet, but I’m hopeful that I can change that in time.