Darrell Doucette, a quarterback for the USA National Flag Football Team, made waves this week by telling ESPN that flag football players deserve the opportunity to represent Team USA in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. His comments sparked debate over whether Olympic roster spots should go to experienced flag football athletes or star players from the NFL.
“This is a sport that we’ve played for a long time, and we feel like we are the best at it. We don’t need other guys,” remarked Darrell Doucette in an interview.
Darrell Doucette, a key member of the national flag football team, stressed that athletes like him have dedicated years to mastering the unique demands of this high-speed, non-contact version of the sport.
“We deserve our opportunity,” he continued. “Flag football is quite a different skill from regular tackle football.”
Doucette remains undefeated on the international stage as Team USA’s quarterback. The 35-year-old has led the country to four consecutive global championships and emphasized that NFL players shouldn’t be handed Olympic spots—they should have to earn them.
NFL Players in the Olympics
“But we all have one goal in mind, and that’s to represent our country. We’re definitely open to all competition.” If those guys come in and ball out and they’re better than us, hats off to them. Go win that gold medal for our country,” the 35-year-old added.
Multiple NFL players have expressed interest in joining the Olympic team. Last week, league owners approved a policy that permits one player from each of the 32 franchises to compete in the Olympics. However, those players would still need to go through the selection process.
If Doucette had his way, marquee names like Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill wouldn’t make the Olympic roster. The veteran flag footballer stirred controversy last summer by claiming he’s a better quarterback than Mahomes, a two-time NFL MVP.
“At the end of the day, I feel like I’m better than Patrick Mahomes because of my IQ of the game,” Darrell Doucette said last year.
USA Football has yet to reveal how the selection process will unfold. For now, it remains uncertain whether Darrell Doucette can retain his roster spot amid the anticipated wave of NFL quarterbacks entering the mix.
