Football is a game pride and brotherhood. This bond is formed at camps, summer leagues and on high school football teams.

But for members of the U.S. National Team, the experience of wearing the red, white and blue creates a whole different level of brotherhood.

Lindell Stone, a former quarterback for the U.S. National Team at the 2016 IFAF U-19 World Championship and multiple International Bowls, believes that playing football for his country is something he will never forget.

“It is something that goes beyond which state you come from or what team you belong to,” said Stone, who is set to begin his college career at the University of Virginia this fall. “It is something much bigger than any individual, team, coach or championship. It is a chance to proudly represent your country.”

While it was his stellar play at Woodberry Forest (Va.) that helped him earn the scholarship to Virginia, it was his time with USA Football that expanded his network of brothers and fueled his pride for his country.

“Usually you don’t get to put on the red, white and blue without putting your life on the line,” Stone said. “To be able to do the thing you love (play football) for the country you love is almost surreal. It is the best football program in the world.”

Stone spent four years going through the U.S. National Team process: Regional Development Camps, Development Games, International Bowls, North American Championships and World Championships. He is proud to say that the experience has shaped who he is as a person and as a competitor.

“It is so much fun to be a part of USA Football,” Stone said. “Years of camps and creating those friendships and bonds will always be one of the best things about football. It’s not a normal program, you’re spending days and weeks together and truly becoming a team, that’s not something you get to do often.”

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Being a part of a new band of brothers representing the United States is something that Stone will surely miss. He believes that athletes that participate in the USA Football program gain three main things throughout the process:

Resiliency. "You are playing for your country and that means that expectations are high. You must be able to face adversity, develop chemistry with new players in a new offense. It truly teaches you how to adapt quickly and to move toward a goal as a team."

Competiveness. "This is America’s game. If you aren’t here to be the best then you shouldn’t put on those colors. These coaches are here to push you, teach you through tough experiences and remind you what you are playing for."

Networking. "This is what makes it fun. Finding yourself on a roster full of athletes from across the country with just the game of football in common is an opportunity. Learn terminology, techniques, and create friendships. In China, we had a mantra, 55 against the world (roster and coaches combined). Today I still have relationships with those guys and those coaches because we played for our country together. It is something we’ll never forget and always be proud of. I’d do everything I could to take on the world with those guys again."

Learn more about the U.S. National Team

Video: The U.S. National Team experience