USA FOOTBALL LAUNCHES ATHLETE ADVISORY COUNCIL LED BY U.S. NATIONAL TEAM ATHLETE ALUMNI
USA Football forms Athlete Advisory Council to assist with athlete engagement and development opportunities
INDIANAPOLIS, IND. – USA Football, the sport’s governing body responsible for fielding the U.S. National Teams for international competition, has announced the five members of its new Athlete Advisory Council. The council consists of U.S. Flag and Tackle National Team athletes who have the elite international competitive experience to support USA Football, its athletes and development programs as the sport’s global popularity increases.
The five council members include, multi-time International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Flag Football World Champions Deliah Autry, Sheneika Comice and Michelle Roque-Paskow, 2022 IFAF Women’s Tackle World Champion Chanté Bonds and 2015 IFAF Men’s Tackle World Champion and former USA Football Board of Directors member Brad Smithey.
The new council members were elected by their peers through a process consisting of former U.S. National Team athletes. As members of the Athlete Advisory Council, they will represent the needs of athletes, advise USA Football on opportunities to improve the athlete experience and provide guidance as USA Football continues building athlete development opportunities leading to the U.S. National Team.
“USA Football is proud to launch our Athlete Advisory Council and welcome its founding members,” said USA Football CEO Scott Hallenbeck. “We value the feedback and guidance of the exceptional athletes who have represented our country on the international stage and laid the foundation for our current U.S. National Team and athlete development programs. Their knowledge and experience will be critical as we expand our pathway to the U.S. National Team.”
Below is additional information on the Athlete Advisory Council members.
Autry is a four-time member of the U.S. Women’s Flag Football National Team. She has won the 2021 and 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships, the 2023 IFAF Americas Continental Flag Football Championship and won a silver medal at The World Games in 2022.
Autry now serves as an assistant coach at her alma mater, Robinson High School alongside her former coach, Joshua Saunders. Autry runs her own non-profit organization, Camp13, to promote girls’ participation in flag football in the Tampa area. Camp13 partners with local flag football leagues, offers affordable clinics and provides one-on-one lessons and other training.
“As an athlete, I have experienced firsthand the challenges and opportunities that come with competing at various levels. I am passionate about advocating for athletes' rights, ensuring their voices are heard and promoting a culture of inclusivity and respect in sports,” said Autry. “I am dedicated to fostering environments where all athletes can thrive, both on and off the field. I will contribute to initiatives that support athlete development, mental health resources and equitable opportunities across all levels of competition.”
Comice won back-to-back IFAF Flag Football World Championships in 2018 and 2021 and won a silver medal at The World Games in 2022 as a member of the U.S. Women’s Flag Football National Team. Originally from Tampa, Fla., Comice has been involved with flag football since 2013. Some of her highlight reel catches have been featured on ESPN’s Top Plays and Randy Moss’ “You Got Mossed” segment.
“My experience as a competitor has provided me with firsthand knowledge of the unique trials and triumphs athletes encounter,” said Comice. “As a passionate champion, I strive to ensure their perspectives are represented and promote an equitable and fair sporting world. I'm dedicated to establishing settings where all athletes can prosper, both on and off the field of play. I plan to contribute to efforts that bolster athlete growth, provide mental wellness resources and guarantee equitable access at every level of competition.”
Roque-Paskow is a former U.S. Women’s Flag Football National Team athlete, representing the country in 2016, 2018, 2021 and 2022. During her time with the national team, Roque-Paskow won two consecutive IFAF Flag Football World Championships and a silver medal at the sport’s debut at The World Games in 2022.
“I am passionate about the role of athletes in sports governance and committed to amplifying their voices through meaningful representation,” said Roque-Paskow. “Serving on the Athlete Advisory Council will allow me to advocate for athletes' needs, strengthen communication between the USOPC and our athletic community and help shape initiatives that grow the sport and promote diversity and accessibility.”
Roque-Paskow is the Vice President for League and Football Operations at the American Flag Football League (AFFL). She joined the AFFL in 2017 and held roles in marketing and business development before her current position. Roque-Paskow is a former AFFL champion, winning a title with her team, The Academy, in 2021.
Bonds was a member of USA Football’s U.S. Women's Tackle National Team that defeated Great Britain 42-14 in the gold medal match of the 2022 IFAF Women’s Tackle World Championship in Vantaa, Finland. The U.S. defeated Germany 63-0 in the quarterfinal and Finland 28-10 in the semifinals.
Bonds has been one of the nation’s most successful women’s tackler players. In 2017, she won the Women's Football Alliance’s (WFA) Defensive Player of the Year award. The following season, Bonds won the WFA Most Valuable Player award and was MVP of the National Championship Game. She also won a title and the National Championship Game MVP with the Renegades in 2022.
Smithey is the athletic director and head football coach at Wolfe City (Texas) High School. He previously coached at West Oso High School in Corpus Christi, Texas. Smithey won an IFAF world championship with the 2015 U.S. Men’s Tackle National Team and later served on USA Football’s Board of Directors.
“I’m deeply committed to advancing the game of football and advocating for the interests of fellow athletes,” Smithey said. “I believe in the power of collaboration and representation to shape a better future for all athletes. I am committed to being a voice for athletes, advocating for impactful change and supporting a culture that prioritizes athlete welfare and representation.”
A Mesquite, Texas native, Smithey played wide receiver at Southwest Oklahoma State University before getting into coaching as a graduate assistant and later becoming the wide receivers coach at his alma mater.
About USA Football: USA Football is the governing body of American Football in the United States. As a Recognized Sports Organization of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the sole U.S. member of the International Federation of American Football, USA Football selects, trains and leads the U.S. National Teams in tackle and flag football disciplines, while delivering world-class football development resources, sport standards and competitive opportunities to empower athletes at every level. USA Football is committed to ensuring every athlete has access to develop and compete in the game through safer, inclusive and innovative pathways.