Former Alabama quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa added another remarkable chapter to his football journey this week, leading American Samoa to a stunning 38-32 victory over Team USA at the Flag Football World Championships.
The result was historic. Team USA had not lost a competitive men’s flag-football game since 2012, making American Samoa’s victory one of the biggest upsets in the sport’s recent history.
And at the center of it all was Tagovailoa.
The former Crimson Tide quarterback reportedly threw five touchdown passes in the victory, putting his traditional quarterback skills on full display in a completely different version of football. His performance helped American Samoa pull off a result that few expected against the sport’s dominant international power.
A familiar name in an unfamiliar setting
Tagovailoa arrived at Alabama as part of the 2019 recruiting class and spent one season in Tuscaloosa alongside his older brother, Tua. During his lone season with the Crimson Tide, Taulia appeared in five games, completing nine of 12 passes for 100 yards and a touchdown.
He eventually transferred to Maryland, where his career took off.
Tagovailoa became one of the most productive quarterbacks in Maryland history and finished his college career with more than 11,000 passing yards and more than 70 touchdown passes. He also established himself as one of the Big Ten’s most prolific passers before moving into professional football.
Although he was not selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, Tagovailoa continued pursuing football opportunities, playing professionally in the CFL, Indoor Football League and UFL.
Now, his path has taken him to the international stage.
Ending a 14-year streak
The significance of American Samoa’s victory cannot be overstated.
According to the International Federation of American Football, Team USA’s previous competitive loss came in 2012, when it finished behind Austria at the World Championships. Since then, the United States had established itself as the standard in international men’s flag football.
American Samoa finally ended that remarkable run.
Tagovailoa’s five-touchdown performance was the defining storyline, but the result also highlights the growing competitiveness of international flag football. With the sport set to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, performances like this could carry significant importance for countries attempting to qualify.
Another chapter for Tagovailoa
For Tagovailoa, the victory represents another opportunity to showcase the talent that made him such a highly regarded college quarterback.
His NFL dreams did not materialize after college, but he has continued finding ways to stay on the field. Leading American Samoa against Team USA—and throwing five touchdowns in the process—provided perhaps his most eye-catching performance since leaving Maryland.
It also gives Alabama fans another reason to follow his journey.
Tagovailoa may no longer be playing traditional 11-on-11 football, but his quarterback instincts clearly remain.
And on a night when American Samoa needed someone capable of challenging the most dominant team in international flag football, the former Alabama quarterback delivered.
Team USA’s 14-year unbeaten run is over—and Taulia Tagovailoa was the quarterback who helped end it.
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