Abuse Prevention Program
Protecting and improving the well-being of athletes and football participants.
Athlete Protection
The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) officially certified USA Football as the National Governing Body (NGB) for American football. This distinction marks a significant milestone as USA Football becomes the first NGB for the sport and the only organization to select, train, and lead the U.S. National Teams, including for the upcoming Olympic Games.
This role in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement brings new responsibilities that reinforce USA Football's commitment to providing athletes with a healthy and positive environment, particularly by protecting them from abuse in compliance with the USOPC and the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
U.S. Center for SafeSport Code
The U.S. Center for SafeSport code establishes consistent standards for responding to and resolving abuse and misconduct in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement.
As a Member, United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, USA Football complies with the policies and procedures as defined by the U.S. Center for SafeSport code. The U.S. Center for SafeSport policies and procedures are among the strongest safeguards against athlete abuse that organizations serving athletes can adhere to.
RULES FOR REPORTING ABUSE
According to federal law, all adults who are authorized to interact with athletes are required to report any suspected incidents of abuse, including sexual abuse. If you learn any information that raises suspicion of abuse, you must report it to law enforcement or your state's designated agency within 24 hours. It is the responsibility of USA Football and every adult participant to promptly report any incidents of abuse or sexual misconduct involving a USA Football athlete.
Reporting must occur promptly when someone has firsthand knowledge of misconduct or has received specific and credible information from a victim or an informed third party. Additionally, various state laws may require that reports be made to law enforcement or to a designated child protection agency. No USA Football adult participant shall retaliate against anyone who has made a report in good faith. False reporting of sexual misconduct, made with malicious intent, is prohibited. Additionally, there are no civil or criminal statutes of limitations that apply to reports of sexual abuse cases.
REPORTING AN ISSUE
The U.S. Center for SafeSport has exclusive jurisdiction for all issues dealing with:
- Sexual Misconduct
- Sexual Harassment
- Sexually Explicit/Inappropriate Communication through Social Media
For more information about reporting concerns to the U.S. Center for SafeSport visit their website or call (833)-5US-SAFE.
Report other forms of misconduct to USA Football regarding the following issues:
- Physical Misconduct
- Emotional Misconduct
- Bullying
- Hazing
- Harassment
- Minor Athlete Abuse & Prevention Policy (MAAPP) Violations
California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act: For USA Football adult participants in California, please be aware of your responsibilities under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA).
Additional Resources
USA Football adheres to the U.S. Center for SafeSport policies and procedures to provide training and resources for coaches, athletes, and parents.
Review the latest version of the U.S. Center for SafeSport Code for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement.
Access the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP) for athlete safety and misconduct prevention guidelines.
View the list of individuals suspended, banned, or declared ineligible by the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
Learn more about the USA Football adults participants who will be required to complete the Athlete Protection Training provided through the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
Learn about background checks for athlete protection—USA Football will be providing more details for new USOPC requirements that will take affect in 2026.
Explore more health and safety resources for athletes, parents, coaches and organization leaders.
FOR YOU. FOR THE GAME.
USA Football is working with the U.S. Center for SafeSport and the USOPC to provide updated training and resources for adult participants who have a role in the Olympic Movement.
An Adult Participant is any adult (18 years of age or older) authorized, approved or appointed by USA Football to have regular contact1 or authority over Minor Athletes. This definition applies to all Adult Participants2 who are included in one or more of the following categories:
• USA Football Board of Directors
• USA Football Committees and Councils
• USA Football Staff
• USA Football Volunteers
• USA Football Contracted Staff
• USA Football Medical Providers3
• USA Football National Team/National Team Development Program Athletes
• USA Football National Team/National Team Development Program Coaches
• USA Football Members
• USA Football License Holders
• Local Affiliated Organization Board of Directors
• Local Affiliated Organization Staff
• Local Affiliated Organization Members
• Local Affiliated Organization License Holders
• Local Affiliated Organization Athletes
• Local Affiliated Organization Coaches
1Regular Contact: Ongoing interactions within a 12-month period wherein an Adult Participant is in a role of direct and active engagement with any Minor Athlete.
2This may include volunteers, medical staff, trainers, chaperones, monitors, contract personnel, bus/van drivers, officials, adult athletes, staff, board members, and any other individual who meets the Adult Participant definition.
3Adult Participants, who are medical providers, required to take training under the U.S. Center for SafeSport Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies can take the Health Professionals Course in lieu of the SafeSport Trained Core Course.
While USA Football has offered abuse prevention training in the past, as an adult participant, you will be required to complete new training to help keep athletes safe within USA Football's role in the Olympic Movement. Requirements will include, but are not limited to:
- Abide by the USA Football MAAPP policy
- Following guidelines for one-on-one interactions with minor athletes
- Completing training and education through the U.S. Center for SafeSport
- Participating in monitoring, supervision and mandatory reporting
- Adhering to additional required policies and best practice guidelines
- Starting in 2026: USOPC Approved Background Check for Select Individuals
These new requirements will help USA Football adult participants to:
- Recognize and learn about risks and red-flag behavior
- Respond and take necessary actions when an incident occurs
- Support Recovery to empower survivors with resources to aid with healing
After approval from the U.S. Center for SafeSport, USA Football will share the updated MAAPP, along with training links and resources.