Updates

The NFL debuted its new campaign for Super Bowl LVIII, “Born to Play," an ode to the diverse and inclusive spirit of the international game of football. The spot celebrates the growth of football around the globe and promotes increased opportunity for the sport for anyone who dreams of playing. 

The spot opens in a traditional Ghanaian home with a young football fan yearning to get outdoors to play the game, imagining himself in an intense football game through the city on his way to school – alongside NFL players. The journey leads the young fan to an NFL camp, where he witnesses others training to one day play at the highest levels of the game.

“The momentum around the global expansion of American football is real and exciting. Our intent is to embrace and celebrate this movement through powerful communication on our biggest stage, focusing on the growth of both flag and tackle football," said Tim Ellis, NFL Chief Marketing Officer. “This is an inspiring and warm-hearted story about a boy from Ghana who fantasizes and dreams of playing football, and it celebrates the fact that anyone, from any background, can turn that dream into reality."

Inspired by a speech given to NFL hopefuls at a football camp hosted by NFL Legend and two-time Super Bowl champion, Osi Umenyiora, the story mirrors the NFL and Umenyiora’s collective mission to encourage and offer youth around the world the experience and opportunity to play at the highest levels of the game.  

“Talent is global, but opportunity is not. Opening doors for international athletes is not only a passion of mine, but it's a way to give back to future generations of athletes," said Umenyiora. “The NFL is life changing, and the pathway to play the sport is now a truly global one. The league's international football development programs are helping to change young people's lives and grow the game around the world. This campaign shows young people globally that it doesn't matter where you were born, but you were born to play."

Growing the game of football globally and increasing the number of international athletes playing in the NFL are priorities for the league. Five regular season games will be played as part of the 2024 NFL International Games, including a historic first regular season game in São Paulo, Brazil.

There are also a number of exciting international football development programs, including the International Player Pathway (IPP) program. The program engages and enables participation for all ages and all stages to play American football (tackle and flag formats) around the world.

Learn more about the IPP program.