Updates

The NFL and the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) announced the fourth team of Global Flag Football Ambassadors to amplify and support the long-term growth of the game worldwide. 

Jakob Johnson, Equanimeous St. Brown and Sebastian Vollmer are among the latest to join an all-star team of men and women, including current American and flag football players, Legends, coaches and officials, as ambassadors who will work together to further raise the profile and promote the unique values of one of the world’s fastest-growing sports. 

“I am honored to be named a Global Ambassador of Flag Football,” said Equanimeous St. Brown, Bears wide receiver. “The timing comes along with my extreme excitement for there to be an NFL game in Germany. There is such a great supportive fan base in that country, and it will make for a great playing environment. It will be great for those fans to get to see an NFL game in person for the first time.”

The Flag Football Ambassadors team supports the combined global efforts of the NFL and IFAF to increase awareness, interest and participation in flag football internationally and drive forward the development of the game. 

Last month, the NFL announced the transformation of the Pro Bowl, renaming the event The Pro Bowl Games. Taking place in Las Vegas in 2023, the week-long celebration of player skills will feature an exciting new format that spotlights flag football.

Played by people of all ages in more than 100 countries around the world, flag football is poised for even greater expansion as the cornerstone of the NFL’s domestic and international participation and development strategies. Momentum is growing behind the sport following its debut at The World Games in Birmingham, Alabama earlier this year with IFAF preparing to launch the biggest cycle of elite international flag competition, including full continental representation for the first time in 2023.

The newest members of the Global Flag Football Ambassador team are:

• Nausicaa Dell’Orto – Captain of the Italian women’s national flag football team
• Jakob Johnson – Las Vegas Raiders fullback
• Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah – Cleveland Browns linebacker
• Mona Stevens – Quarterback of the German women’s national flag football team
• Equanimeous St. Brown – Chicago Bears wide receiver  
• Sebastian Vollmer – NFL Legend and former New England Patriots tackle

The global appeal of the international athletes selected highlights the scope and ambition of the group to grow the game worldwide but also points to the impact international players have on the NFL.

Among the previously announced ambassadors with international ties:

• Osi Umenyiora, the first British-born player to win a Super Bowl. Umenyiora was born in London to Nigerian parents and now works to raise the profile of the game in Europe and Africa. 
• Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions wide receiver who is a German national who speaks fluent German and French, thanks to his German-born mother. His brother, Equanimeous, plays for the Chicago Bears, and is also a global flag football ambassador.
• Desiree Abrams, founded the National Women’s Football Officials Association that seeks to accelerate opportunities for female football officials.
• Diana Flores, the starting quarterback for the Mexico women's team and won the gold at the 2022 World Games. 
• Liz Sowers, the head coach of the women's flag football team at Ottawa University, where she won the NAIA championship in her first year in 2021.
• Andrea Castillo, won the bronze medal at the 2022 World Games for the Panama women's flag football team.
• Luke Zahradka, the quarterback of the Italian national flag football team. 

“I am extremely excited and appreciative to serve as a Global Flag Football Ambassador,” said Jakob Johnson, Raiders fullback. “I am very proud to be counted among the Germans who have been fortunate enough to play in the NFL, and I look forward to helping football grow internationally. This program will create opportunities for kids in Germany and beyond to learn and enjoy our great game.”