Robert Griffin III Secures Spot in 24-Man USA Football Training Camp Roster

Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III advances to the next stage of Team USA flag football selection following trials in Chula Vista, California.

Robert Griffin III earned an official invitation to the USA Football training camps in Chula Vista, California, after participating in open trials last week. The 2011 Heisman Trophy winner is one of 24 male athletes selected for the initial session scheduled from April 16-19. This roster placement puts the former professional quarterback in direct contention for a spot on the 2026 U.S. National Team, which will travel to Düsseldorf, Germany, for the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) World Championships from August 13-16. While Griffin successfully navigated the first cut, 66-year-old Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Darrell Green did not receive an invitation to continue in the selection process.

The path to the final roster involves a multi-stage evaluation conducted by USA Football’s selection committee. Following the April sessions, a second training camp is slated for May 21-24 at the same Chula Vista facility. Personnel directors and coaching staff will then reduce the pool to 18 players for a third gathering in June. The ultimate goal for these athletes is to be named among the 12 active players and designated alternates who will represent the United States on the global stage this summer. This cycle serves as a critical building block for the sport’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Griffin enters this competitive environment with a professional history spanning 56 NFL games across three different franchises: Washington, Cleveland, and Baltimore. His statistical profile includes 9,271 passing yards and 43 touchdowns. Known for his mobility, he also generated 1,809 rushing yards and 10 scores on the ground during his tenure in the league. His career began as the second overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft, where he immediately secured the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award. His final professional start occurred on December 2, 2020, in a 19-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, a game he exited early due to a hamstring injury.

The current landscape of the U.S. National Team is led by quarterback Darrell "Hush" Doucette III. During the recent Fanatics Flag Football Classic in Los Angeles, Doucette’s squad demonstrated significant dominance over rosters comprised of NFL alumni. They recorded a 43-16 victory against Tom Brady’s Founders FFC and followed that with a 39-16 win over Joe Burrow’s Wildcats FFC. In the tournament finale, the U.S. National Team defeated the Founders FFC for a second time with a score of 24-14. Throughout these three contests, the national team offense achieved a near-perfect efficiency rating, scoring on every possession with the exception of a game-ending kneel-down.

USA Football also announced a parallel selection for the women’s national team, naming 24 players to their respective training camp roster on Thursday. Both divisions are working toward the same IFAF World Championship goal in Germany. For Griffin, this transition represents a move from the broadcast booth, where he currently serves as an analyst for Fox Sports, back into an elite competitive setting. The evaluation period in Chula Vista will focus on his ability to adapt to the 5-on-5 non-contact format, which emphasizes lateral quickness and rapid release times over traditional pocket passing mechanics.

The 24-man pool includes a mix of established flag football specialists and former collegiate athletes looking to break into the international circuit. The selection committee utilizes specific metrics including 40-yard dash times, shuttle run agility, and situational passing accuracy to differentiate between the candidates. Griffin’s experience in high-pressure environments, such as his 2012 playoff appearance or his Heisman-winning season at Baylor, provides a unique veteran presence to a roster that is increasingly being scouted for the 2028 Olympic cycle.

Logistically, the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center provides the backdrop for these evaluations. The facility allows coaches to monitor player recovery and performance across the four-day windows in April and May. As the pool shrinks from 24 to 18 and finally to 12, the emphasis shifts from individual athleticism to team chemistry and defensive communication. The U.S. men’s team has historically been a powerhouse in IFAF competitions, and the inclusion of high-profile athletes like Griffin highlights the increasing visibility of flag football as it approaches its Olympic debut.

Success in the August tournament in Düsseldorf is the immediate priority for the organization. The 12-man roster must be finalized by the end of the June camp to allow for cohesive tactical preparation. Griffin’s journey from the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL to a potential flag football Olympian marks a rare trajectory in American sports. With the 2026 World Championships acting as the primary qualifying event for future international rankings, every rep during the April 16-19 window carries significant weight for the 24 invitees currently vying for a jersey.