A retired offensive lineman on this side of the Atlantic, Justin Pugh has been tasked with taking American football to the next level in the land of his wife’s ancestors. After 11 seasons as an offensive lineman for the New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals, the next act of Justin Pugh’s life in American football has taken him to Italy, of all places. In February Pugh, 36, accepted the job of commissioner of the Italian Football League, becoming the first American to hold the position.
Don’t feel badly if you haven’t heard of the Italian Football League. Pugh only learned of it himself while on honeymoon with his wife, Angela, in Italy in 2022. The IFL was founded in 1978 and played its first season in 1980. It is made up of 12 teams from across the country, with the 13-game regular season beginning in February and culminating in July with the annual Italian Bowl.
