CO-FOUNDER: TYLER MOORE

Email Contact: t.moore@japangridironassociation.com

Growing up in Valdosta, Georgia—home of the winningest high school football team in America, the Valdosta High Wildcats—football was never just a game to me. It was a way of life. The values of teamwork, discipline, and resilience that the game instills have shaped me into who I am today. The opportunity to create a new platform to help advance American football in Japan for American football athletes is something truly special to me. I believe that the growing interest in the sport here provides a unique chance to build something meaningful, not just for fans but for players, coaches, and local communities.

What makes this opportunity even more special is the ability to bridge relationships between American football enthusiasts overseas and passionate Japanese players eager to learn and compete. I’ve had the unique experience of being able to coach youth sports in Japan and I firsthand got to witness the level of talent that this great country displays. Now it is time for the rest of the world to see what we know is here!

We look forward to building relationships, sharing knowledge, and helping cultivate a thriving American football culture here in Japan. Thank you for your support as we begin this exciting journey. Together, we’ll grow the sport and inspire the next generation of football stars in Japan!

Sincerely,

Tyler Moore

CO-FOUNDER: JOSHUA CISNEROS

Email Contact: j.cisneros@japangridironassociation.com

I grew up playing football in America from my youth through high school. My dad was in the army, so I moved around a lot, but one thing that was able to provide some familiarity to my life was sports. Football was always my favorite as it gave me the opportunity to meet new people, build lifelong relationships, and gain skills such as discipline and resilience that I continue to apply to my life to this day.

Many people outside of Japan don’t know the level of American football talent that exists here, but I have witnessed it first hand. There are many high-level players in Japan and they deserve more attention and opportunity. With this platform, we aim to highlight the best American football players in Japan and expose them to opportunities. We also look to make the sport of American Football a mainstream sport in Japan.

Your support is greatly appreciated and we are excited to start this journey with you. Let’s bring the well-earned attention to the top high school players in Japan and grow the game together!

Thank you,

Joshua Cisneros

Director of Player Development and Recruiting: Jojo Mathis

Email Contact: j.mathis@japangridironassociation.com

Jojo Mathis serves as the Director of Player Development and Recruiting for the Japan Gridiron Association (JGA), where he leads the identification, training, and advancement of football talent across the country. In this role, he is responsible for creating structured pathways for athletes to reach higher levels of competition while establishing a culture built on discipline, performance, and global opportunity. He is also the founder of The Takeover (TTO), the official international training and development program now integrated with JGA, designed to elevate the mentality, physicality, and focus of players in Japan.

Jojo’s leadership is grounded in a playing career that reflects the very goals he now sets for the next generation. A 5-Star Recruit, Nike Opening Alumni, and U.S. Army All-American, he was recognized as one of the top high school athletes in the nation. He went on to compete at the University of Washington, performing at the highest level of collegiate football and earning recognition as a projected first-round NFL Draft pick.

He has competed at every level that developing athletes aspire to reach—from elite high school competition to major college football, and into the professional ranks. Jojo spent time in NFL training camps with the New Orleans Saints and Houston Texans, gained experience in the Canadian Football League (CFL), and built a successful international career in Japan’s X-League, where he played professionally for eight seasons.

Now recently retired from professional football, Jojo is fully committed to mentoring and developing young athletes in Japan. Drawing from his experience across every stage of the game, he is dedicated to helping players reach their full potential while helping shape the future of American football in Japan.