ARLINGTON, TX – September 17, 2026 – Just a few months ago, Jahcour Pearson was competing with the St. Louis Battlehawks in the United Football League. Earlier in August, Pearson scored three touchdowns for American Samoa in a victory over the United States that snapped Team USA’s unbeaten run in international flag football.
This wasn’t just a historic upset. It convinced a group of players that they can compete for an Olympic medal in 2028.
Pearson has spent the last four springs playing professional football. After a stint in the XFL with the Seattle Sea Dragons, Pearson stuck around for the UFL and has spent the last three seasons as a receiver for the Battlehawks.
Over the summer, Pearson joined former Houston Gamblers quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa on the American Samoa flag football team.
Pearson received a call to join the team following the conclusion of the UFL season. However, he didn’t just see it as a chance to play flag football. He saw it as a chance to take on the best flag football team in the world.
“It was just an opportunity to have a chance to go beat Team USA, honestly, and just show that I belong on that type of stage versus the best. I'd rather beat the best than join the best.”
In college and in the UFL, Pearson has always been identified by his elite shiftiness and ability to gain yards after the catch. He has been a dominant slot receiver since his days at Western Kentucky and Ole Miss, and those abilities translated beautifully to flag football.
“The speed, agility, the route running, the quickness are all things that the best flag players have and I feel like it was easy for me to just play flag.”
American Samoa, a small Pacific island territory with a population of approximately 45,000, entered the tournament ranked 33rd in the world. However, none of that mattered.
Tagovailoa, Pearson and American Samoa defeated Team USA, 38-32. The loss marked Team USA’s first since 2012 after five consecutive world championships. Pearson posted a spectacular performance with three touchdowns, including the game-clinching score in the final minute. Tagovailoa threw for five touchdowns and 213 yards.
Pearson faced man coverage against Team USA, and that matchup created opportunities for him to use his speed and quickness. He has the utmost confidence in one-on-one situations.
“It was kind of playing into my hand because I don't think there's anybody out there that could cover me, man, especially no shoulder pads and helmet out there.”
Despite a quarterfinal loss to Canada in the IFAF World Flag Football Championship, American Samoa made major headlines in its first appearance on the world stage. More importantly, the team left the tournament with confidence that it can compete with the best in the world.
“For us to go out there in our first tournament together, and beat Team USA, definitely gave us a lot of confidence.”
With flag football set to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, Pearson has his eyes set on becoming an Olympian.
“Flag football is in the Olympics, so we're here to stay. We're trying to get a medal at the Olympics.”
The next step for American Samoa is the 2027 IFAF Flag Football Continental Championship in Australia, where the team will have an opportunity to advance to the final Olympic qualifying tournament. The final three men's Olympic berths will be determined through the 2028 Olympic Qualifying Series in Montreal and Orlando.
For American Samoa, the path forward is about turning an improbable upset into sustained international success. The team has already proven it can beat the United States. Now, Pearson and his teammates want to prove it was more than one game.
Although Pearson’s focus is on becoming an Olympic athlete, he still plans on returning to the Battlehawks and continuing his professional football career. Despite the differences between the two sports, he believes each version of the game can help him evolve in the other.
“I feel like it's gonna make me a better football player, tackle football player… I feel like I'm gonna be a lot more electric on the field. It's gonna help me tap into another mode.”