Last summer, Anderson Lee watched as USA Football’s U.S. National Teams sweep the gold medal standings at the 2023 Junior International Cup and IFAF Americas Continental Flag Football Championship. The men’s and women’s teams both outlasted Mexico in close competitions while the 15U and 17U girls’ and boys’ teams all defeated Japan.  

As he watched the live streams and recordings, Lee realized he wanted to celebrate the joy of winning a gold medal alongside the nation’s other top flag football players. It became a central goal of his, something he visualized with fliers, pictures and a hand-drawn U.S. National Team logo pinned at the center of a bulletin board in his room.  

“I created a vision board with visual representations of those goals. USA Football is in the dead center,” Lee explained. “Beside it are [visuals of the] Junior International Cup, the Junior National Team Pathway, LA28 and past U.S. National Team players. The vision board has helped me stay focused on my goals, especially for the Junior International Cup and the National Team. Visualizing and seeing that every day when I woke up was my superpower for this entire process.” 

Lee’s flag football journey began in 2020 as a way to learn the skills he needed for the tackle version of the sport. He was always interested in football despite not playing it from an early age. A shoulder injury in 2021 put his tackle football aspirations on hold but opened the door for him to spend more time building his agility, balance and speed with the non-contact version of the sport.  

“I firmly believe flag is the best athletic foundation for any other sport,” Lee said. “I see it as a great opportunity to represent my country while doing something I love.” 

Lee’s unique background set him up well to learn the sport quickly. He credits two uncommon practices with developing his athleticism and coordination.  

“My family is originally from Massachusetts, and we had a lake in our backyard. We were very big ice skaters,” Lee said. “I took a lot of lessons growing up. That helped me develop my balance, strengthened my body and prepared me to play football. I’ve noticed the impact it had on my game. Drumming has also helped. You have to be very coordinated, and it translates to physical activity. Everything works together to build my skills in football.” 

The more time Lee spent with flag football, the more his desire to play at an elite level pushed him to find new opportunities, including the U.S. National Team. He was pointed in the direction of the GMTM Digital Combine, one of several National Team Pathways, by one of the sport’s biggest stars.  

“One of the athletes on the women’s team, Amber Clark, came to a local Kansas City flag football skills camp,” Lee said. “I was helping out with training at the event. Amber introduced me to the Digital Combine and told me I should try it.”  

Lee and approximately 140 other junior athletes at the 15U and 17U levels were invited to U.S. National Team Trials in Charlotte, N.C. in March to compete for roster spots. He was one of 18 boys at the 15U level to be invited back to U.S. National Team Training Camp in June. Only 12 athletes make the final roster.  

Lee made the team and joined the other Junior National Teams in Los Angeles in July for USA Football’s Junior International Cup. Over the course of several days, Lee and the 15U U.S. Boys’ Flag National Team faced national teams from Canada, Japan, Mexico and Panama in pool play before progressing to the knockout stages.  

“I always dream about being one of the best. It’s a focus of mine to be excellent in anything I do,” Lee explained. “Living up to that personal standard and competing against the best athletes in the world made the Junior International Cup an enjoyable experience. It really opened my eyes to see what kind of talent and people are out there.” 

The 15U boys went undefeated in pool play, but their perfection wasn’t uncontested. Japan pushed the U.S. in a 20-18 game, but overcoming the adversity reinforced the confidence Lee and his teammates had in each other and their coaches. It was the toughest competition Lee had faced in flag football.  

“The highest level of competition I faced previously was at nationals, but the jump between that and facing national teams from other countries is pretty substantial,” Lee said. “Seeing all those countries show their love for this game was encouraging. That shows how much the sport has grown and makes you wonder how far it can go.” 

Between games and practice time, Lee and his teammates found opportunities to build chemistry and share their knowledge of the sport. He found his experiences in Charlotte and Los Angeles invaluable and believes they helped him develop his skills.  

“Being around the best athletes in the country and competing with them at Training Camp and during the Junior International Cup was a great experience,” Lee said. “What you gain from that physically, mentally and in every aspect of the game is unmatched. We brought out the competitiveness in each other. Just being around and working with my teammates has sharpened my skills.” 

Lee and the 15U team faced Japan again in their championship game, winning 43-20 to secure an undefeated 6-0 record in the tournament. As the sun began to dip on a hot Los Angeles afternoon, Lee and his teammates soaked up cheers from the crowd as they received gold medals for winning their division.  

“It was so surreal. I remember watching videos of last year’s medal ceremony, wishing to be a part of those teams,” Lee said. “To be up on that stage, holding a gold medal a year later was the most rewarding and surreal moment I’ve experienced. All of that work I put in behind the scenes finally came to fruition.” 

He knew exactly where he wanted to put the medal when he returned home.  

“When I got back from Los Angeles, I put my medal on the vision board,” Lee said. “That was one of the best moments of the year. I’m really thankful I put that board together. Having the vision and the goals I do will always make me better because I’m constantly working toward something.”