Team USA quarterback Darrell Doucette has warned NFL stars that making the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic flag football team will not be easy.
The 35-year-old said he took issue with the NFL’s teaser about flag football being included in the next Olympics, which would feature Eagles forward Jalen Hurts and not a player who is actually on the roster at the time, such as himself or one of his teammates.
Doucette said The guard: ‘We just don’t think they can walk out on the field and make the Olympic team because of the name, right? They still have to go out there and compete.
“It’s our turn.”
Several NFL quarterbacks, including Hurts, Joe Burrow and Caleb Williams, have indicated they want to play on the Olympic team in four years, but Doucette is adamant they won’t be able to beat out those who put the spot on the map.
Team USA flag football QB Darrell Doucette warned NFL rivals he plans to keep his job
Many NFL signal-callers, including Jalen Hurts (pictured), want to play in the 2028 Olympics in LA
“I think it’s disrespectful that they automatically assume that they can make the Olympic team because of who they are. They didn’t help grow this sport to get to the Olympics,” Doucette said.
“Give the guys who helped this sport get to where it is today the respect they deserve,” he added.
For years, the NFL has campaigned to have flag football included in the Olympics, in part to give the sport greater global reach. As a result, flag football was added to the LA 2028 program, along with other popular sports played in the U.S., including lacrosse sixes, baseball/softball, and squash.
The 2028 Olympics will feature both men’s and women’s flag football teams. The men’s Team USA has created something of a dynasty, winning five of the last six World Cups, while the U.S. women’s team has won the last two (2018 and 2022).
Doucette played a key role in Team USA’s men’s team, winning the 2021 World Championship in Jerusalem, a gold medal at the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama, and a 2023 U.S. Continental Championship, where he won the MVP award.
Doucette has played a major role in Team USA’s world dominance in flag football over the years
He was also part of the amateur squad that defeated a team of former NFL players on national TV in 2018. Doucette orchestrated a 20-point victory over the NFL team, which also included running back Justin Forsett and former Seahawks QB Seneca Wallace.
And to the surprise of NFL players, flag football is quite different from standard football. Certain adjustments must be made, such as feints, lateral movements and tackling.
As many Americans know, flag football involves removing the tires on either side of a player to stop play, rather than simply knocking the opponent to the ground as in the NFL.
“It’s not like we need these guys,” Doucette told The Guardian, speaking about the huge interest in NFL players hoping to make it to LA 2028. “Because we’re already great with who we have.”
Doucette and Team USA will get a chance to show what they’re made of when they travel to Finland for the 2024 World Championships, where they’ll try to defend their title as “reigning champions.” The tournament begins on August 27 and features 31 other countries.