Feb. 28, 2026, 11:01 a.m. ET
Former New York Giants offensive lineman Justin Pugh has been named commissioner of the Italian Football League (IFL), a move that continues his involvement in the sport after an 11-year NFL career.
Pugh, a first-round pick by the Giants in 2013, played five seasons with New York before joining the Arizona Cardinals and then returning to Big Blue in 2023, where he spent one additional season before retiring.
The Giants selected him 19th overall out of Syracuse, and he became a reliable starter on their offensive line during his tenure in East Rutherford.
The IFL, established in 1980, has run 44 seasons of American football in Italy, crowning 12 different Italian Bowl champions.
Pugh announced the role via social media, expressing pride in leading a league with deep roots in the country. He emphasized Italy’s passion for the game and pledged to modernize infrastructure, strengthen governance, elevate standards, and create a sustainable model for growth.
Drawing from his NFL experience with the Giants and Cardinals, Pugh aims to connect Italian football to the global ecosystem, blending athletic performance with cultural identity.
This appointment aligns with broader efforts to expand American football internationally, and Pugh views it as a chance to give back to a sport that transformed his life and communities.
