Flag football is coming to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
And while most have assumed the NFL’s biggest stars will take to the Olympic stage and try to win the sport’s gold, members of the current men’s USA flag football national team aren’t just going to give up their spots.
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During this week’s league meeting in Minneapolis, the owners voted to allow NFL players to participate in flag football for the first time in the 2028 Summer Olympics.
That’s good news for the players who have an interest in representing their country on a global stage, but bad news for the members who are already on the USA flag football national team.
In an exclusive interview with talkSPORT on Radio Row in New Orleans before the Super Bowl, Darrell Doucette, the starting quarterback for the men’s national team doubled down on his statement that he won’t roll over for Patrick Mahomes or anybody else.
“This is my sport,” Doucette said.
“I’ve never seen Pat play flag football before. How can I just initially say a guy that has never played my sport is better than me in my sport?
“I have a lot of accolades. I’ve accomplished a lot in this game.
“He needs to learn my game before I can sit there and say he’s better than me. I knew that was going to cause some controversy because of who he is, but I also knew that it would bring eyes to flag football and that’s what it was all about.”
When asked how he would feel about guys like Mahomes and Lamar Jackson wanting to play in the Olympics, Doucette stood his ground and remained confident in his own ability.
“I feel amazing because they are going to play my sport that I’ve been growing up to play my whole life,” Doucette said.
“Them stepping on the same field, I mean I’m a fan, but we will be competing against each other.
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“I’m not going to just give my spot away. They’re gonna have to earn it just like how I have to go out and earn it.
“Them playing the sport will be great, but at the end of the day they have to compete just like me and I will look forward to the competition.”
Doucette mentioned that he caught up with Miami Dolphins star wide receiver Tyreek Hill and how he would love to join forces.
“I met with Tyreek a few weeks ago,” Doucette said.
“I was so grateful for that and it was a humbling thing. He told me, ‘Man, I want to learn this sport. I would love for you to teach me this sport.’
“He was just like, ‘It’s not the same and I understand it’s not the same. I would love to come play on your team and I would love for you to teach me this sport.’
“It’s just humbling that he was able to say that to me.
“Tyreek is definitely one of those guys that could translate into this game for sure. He has the speed, he’s a great receiver.
“He’s one of those guys that could definitely transition over.”
Doucette brings up valid points.
While most assume the NFL stars would have great success on the flag football field, nothing is certain.
Doucette and his team have been playing flag football their entire lives, so it would not be fair to just completely write them off.
But at the same time, how do you stop a team that has Mahomes, Jackson, Hill, Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Jahmyr Gibbs, Saquon Barkley.
The list could go on and on…and now the players have the official green light to compete.
Good luck holding on to your spot Doucette.
