High-energy plays and elite teamwork take center stage as the gold medal match is decided in a nail-biting overtime thriller.
The soaring energy at the National Sports Center in Blaine reached a fever pitch yesterday afternoon during the final day of competition at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games. As the official flag football sponsor, UnitedHealthcare helped set the stage for an incredible showcase of inclusion, teamwork, and elite athletic competition on the gridiron.
Adding to the excitement on the sidelines was Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Walter Rouse. Serving as an inclusion champion, Walter brought an unmatched spark to the tournament by cheering on the athletes and bringing high energy to his role as a passionate supporter of the USA Games.
A Fast-Paced Game of Skill and Strategy
Flag football delivers all the strategic passing, fast-paced running, and thrilling interceptions of traditional football, but without the physical tackling. Instead, defenders must remove a fabric flag from the ball carrier’s belt to end a play. The sport showcases athletes with incredible agility, precise route-running, and seamless team communication.
The sheer magnitude of the game between Team Massachusetts and Team Tennessee was broadcast to viewers across the country. While ESPN has produced live coverage throughout the week, a historic milestone was achieved when the NFL Network picked up the live broadcast of the Unified 5v5 gold medal match.
Fans in Blaine and home viewers witnessed an absolute masterpiece of the sport during the final round. Given the exceptional skills of both squads, the game promised to be highly competitive from the first whistle. The high-stakes, back-and-forth battle could not be settled in regulation play, leading to a high-pressure overtime period where Massachusetts displayed immense grit and team chemistry to secure a spectacular 38-32 victory.
On the field, the true spirit of Unified Sports was on full display. Team Massachusetts flag football, led by coaches Kate and John Dyer, fields 10 total athletes—including both Special Olympics athletes and Unified partners competing side by side, proving that barriers disappear when a team shares a single goal. USA Games News caught up with two members of the championship squad to hear about their journey to the top.
Meet Athletes Carlos Guzman and Adrian Dugre, Flag Football, Team Massachusetts
Carlos Guzman, better known to his teammates and coaches by his nickname “Goose,” serves as a vital spark for the Massachusetts flag football squad. He and his wife, Libby, and their two children, Miles and Olivia, live in Raynham, roughly 30 miles south of Boston.
The 32-year-old Unified partner shared that while he has loved sports all his life, he never played other than “in someone’s backyard.” While growing up a fan of his favorite NFL team, the New England Patriots, Carlos has played flag football for a little over two years, quickly taking to the sport.
He cites Special Olympics Ambassador and Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins as a true inspiration, sharing, “Last year, he was amazing with the Special Olympics. He gave us tips and helped us out. From that moment on, I respected Mack Hollins.”
For Carlos, this national stage represents the ultimate reward for months of weight training, and his presence on the field embodies the exact dedication that defines the Special Olympics community. “It’s challenging. You’re not only trusting yourself, but you have to trust everyone else around you, but we’re family, and we trust each other so much,” he said.
Another Unified partner, Adrian Dugre, is from East Wareham, at the gateway to Cape Cod, and has been a Special Olympics athlete since 2017, this year competing in his first USA Games. He said Coach Kate Dyer got the team doing cardio work every Monday in preparation for the trip to Minnesota.
The 29-year-old caught the game winner, and reflected on the final drive, noting, “We knew it was going to be neck to neck and tough. Shout out to Tennessee, they played their hearts out.” Adrian added, “Getting that last catch was… I can’t describe the feeling, but I had confidence in that last play that I was going to get open, and my dream came true because of it.”
As a final reflection, Adrian shared, “Shout out to all my family and friends out there. Thank you, everybody; I love the support. And again, I’m not taking all the credit for the win, because there’s no ‘I’ in ‘Team.’”
Congratulations to Carlos, Adrian, and Team Massachusetts on immense pride and athletic excellence! As they head home carrying their hard-earned gold medals, they leave behind an unforgettable legacy of camaraderie and sportsmanship in Minnesota.
