As flag football gears up for its Olympic debut in the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, all eyes are on the potential involvement of NFL players. However, U.S. flag football quarterback Darrell “Housh” Doucette is urging people not to overlook the current flag football talent.
“It’s disrespectful to assume that just because they’re NFL players, they can automatically join the Olympic team,” Doucette expressed. “They didn’t contribute to the growth of this game and its journey to the Olympics. The players who helped build this sport deserve recognition.
At 35 years old, Doucette has led the flag football national team to victory, securing a gold medal at the 2022 World Games. He was also awarded the MVP title when Team USA triumphed with a perfect 7-0 record to claim the Americas Continental championship in 2023.
In a recent teaser released by the NFL featuring Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, International Federation of American Football president Pierre Trochet named Hurts as the global ambassador for flag football.
“Young, fast, creative, and played by outstanding athletes, including our global flag football ambassador Jalen Hurts, the format is a perfect fit for the Games of a new generation,” Trochet stated.
While Hurts has shown enthusiasm for the sport, other NFL players such as Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals and Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears have also expressed interest in representing the flag football national team. Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill hinted at forming an NFL equivalent of the iconic 1992 Dream Team.
As the 2028 Olympics draw nearer, Doucette is determined to compete for his quarterback position, not wanting to yield to NFL stars like Burrow, Hurts, or Williams simply because of their league status.
“They can’t just walk onto the field and expect to make the Olympic team based solely on their name,” Doucette emphasized. “They have to prove themselves on the field like everyone else.”
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