NFL Partners with State Department for Global Diplomacy

American football is going global in a whole new way, and it's about more than touchdowns.

The NFL and U.S. Department of State signed a formal agreement Thursday to work together on spreading football worldwide as a tool for cultural exchange and youth engagement. The partnership kicks off just as flag football prepares to make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028.

Under Secretary of State Sarah Rogers and NFL executives sealed the deal at a signing ceremony in Washington, D.C. The collaboration will connect American and international leaders around major events like the Super Bowl and international NFL games held overseas.

The plan is ambitious. Together, they're working to host 150 events across more than 65 countries on five continents. These won't just be games but also football clinics, training sessions, and community events designed to teach skills and values.

Current and former NFL players and coaches will serve as cultural ambassadors through the State Department's sports diplomacy programs. They'll lead clinics for young athletes and participate in initiatives at U.S. embassies and consulates around the world.

U.S. embassies will host Super Bowl watch parties and flag football training sessions for international youth. The goal is to use football's core values of teamwork, perseverance, discipline, and sportsmanship as common ground across different cultures.

The Ripple Effect

This partnership shows how sports can do more than entertain. Football brings people together regardless of language, background, or borders. By teaching the game abroad, the NFL and State Department are creating opportunities for young people worldwide to learn leadership skills and build friendships across cultures.

The timing aligns perfectly with flag football's addition to the Olympic Games, opening doors for athletes from every corner of the globe to compete on the world's biggest stage.

"Football has the power to bring people together across borders and backgrounds," said NFL executive vice president Jeff Miller. The partnership gives the league new ways to grow the game while the State Department gains a powerful tool for connecting with people through shared values.

The collaboration means more young people internationally will access quality sports programs and mentorship from professional athletes who understand the transformative power of the game.

A sport born in America is becoming a global language of teamwork and possibility.