“Athletes know how to execute plays all day. We rely on our coaches to draw up the right plays to win games. Sports diplomacy is no different. If our communities look to us to be global ambassadors of the game and our culture, we need the right plays. We need support in understanding how to be the best ambassador and have an impact for our countries.”

That was the response from Houston Texans fullback Jakob Johnson, an eight-year NFL veteran from Germany, when asked what athletes need to meaningfully engage in sports diplomacy.

The conversation took place during a panel hosted by Maven Strategy Group during Super Bowl week in San Francisco. The room included athletes, executives and more than a dozen consuls general, all focused on a topic rapidly shaping the future of global sport: sports diplomacy.

Johnson’s point was simple. If athletes are expected to represent their countries, teams and leagues on the global stage, they need preparation.

And increasingly, they are stepping into that role in real and tangible ways.

From concept to action: The Huddle Abroad — Dominican Republic

This vision comes to life through The Huddle Abroad: Dominican Republic, a first-of-its-kind initiative bringing together the U.S. Embassy, the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Sports and Recreation, and the Ministry of Public School Physical Education.

The program is designed to go beyond introducing flag football. It positions the sport as a vehicle for youth development, education access, gender equity and long-term economic........

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