Former Bengals starter is helping the NFL take its next big leap along with legendary names

The NFL announced Monday a partnership with TMRW Sports to develop and operate a professional flag football league for women and men, and a former Cincinnati Bengals star is at the forefront of it all.

Former Bengals linebacker Dhani Jones is among several notable NFL players, former and active, who are investing in the new league. Other investors include megastars such as Tom Brady, Larry Fitzgerald, Peyton Manning, Joe Montana, and Steve Young.

"This initiative comes at a time of unprecedented global momentum for flag football, as the sport experiences rapid growth, expanding commercial interest, and increasing engagement from prospective investment, media, and sponsorship partners. This surge reflects the significant long‑term market opportunity surrounding flag football as it continues its transformation into a premier global sport." — NFL.com

TMRW Sports most recently developed TGL, the PGA Tour's indoor winter golf league featuring standout tour members competing in team-based competition. It will now help the NFL fully dip its toes into the ever-growing sport of flag football just a couple years before it becomes an official Summer Olympic Games event, as will one of the more underrated Bengals of the last 20 years.

Dhani Jones continues interesting post-playing career after brief stint in Cincinnati

The Bengals signed Jones during the 2007 regular season. He played the first three years of his career with the New York Giants (2001-03) and then another three years with the Philadelphia Eagles (2004-06). He signed with the New Orleans Saints in the 2007 offseason, but was released right before the start of the season during roster cuts.

Cincinnati immediately played Jones as soon as he joined in Week 3. He appeared in the remaining 14 games and made nine starts. The Bengals re-signed him to a three-year deal in the 2008 offseason, and he proceeded to start every game from 2008-2010 at MIKE linebacker.

Jones played more games, made more tackles, sacked more quarterbacks, and forced more fumbles with the Bengals than either of his previous two teams. He called it a career following the 2010 season in which Cincinnati finished 4-11-1.

Since his playing days, Jones has started businesses, including the Bow Tie Cafe, a local Cincinnati coffee and sandwich joint, and his own creative agency, Proclamation. He's also hosted several television programs, including his own show, Dhani Tackles the Globe, which premiered during his stint with the Bengals.

Jones has been a multi-faceted name in the NFL community for a while, and he'll now be a part of the league's attempt at growing its non-contact sport.