Romney plays flag football on the beach

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Republican Mitt Romney took a break from debate preparations Sunday to watch reporters who cover him play football against his senior staff.

 

Less than three weeks before Election Day, Romney headed to Delray Beach, where senior staffers were gathered across from the press team, all in flag football uniforms. Romney walked down through the sand to officiate the coin toss and buck up his team.

 

The former Massachusetts governor handed bracelets to both team captains, New York Times reporter Ashley Parker and Romney Communications Director Gail Gitcho. He told them the bracelets read, "Clear eyes, full hearts, America can't lose." It's a version of the slogan from TV's Friday Night Lights.

 

After the coin toss, Romney gathered his aides into a huddle and led them in a cheer.

 

"Figure out which of their players is best and take them out early," Romney joked with them. "That's right, don't worry about injuries guys, this counts. Win."

 

Romney didn't talk politics, refusing to answer a question about whether he would, as president, be open to one-on-one talks with Iran. The small group of reporters assigned to cover the event also asked about Monday's debate and new poll showing a tied race.