US flag football QB discusses NFL players taking Olympic spots
With flag football making its Olympic debut at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, many are expecting NFL players to get in on the action. But U.S. flag football quarterback Darrell “Housh” Doucette says people shouldn’t be so quick to write off current flag football players.
“I think it’s disrespectful that they automatically assume that they can make the Olympic team just because of who they are,” Doucette said. “They didn’t help grow this sport to make it to the Olympics. Give the guys that helped this sport get to where it is, give them some respect.”
Doucette, 35, led the national flag football team to a gold medal at the 2022 World Games and was named MVP as Team USA went 7-0 to win the Americas Continental Championship in 2023.
The NFL earlier in August released a teaser featuring Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Pierre Trochet, president of the International Federation of American Football, named Hurts a global ambassador for flag football.
It’s our turn to light up the LA28 Olympics. #NextUpLA28 photo.twitter.com/PEgQOqpmUx
— NFL (@NFL) August 5, 2024
“Young, fast, creative and played by outstanding athletes, including our global flag football ambassador Jalen Hurts, this format is the perfect match for a new generation of Games,” Trochet said.
In addition to Hurts, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams have expressed interest in eventually playing for the national flag football team. Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill has also hinted at forming an NFL equivalent of the 1992 Dream Team.
With the 2028 Olympics approaching, Doucette hopes to compete for his quarterback position instead of having Burrow, Hurts or Williams take his spot just because they’re already in the NFL and Doucette isn’t.
“We just don’t think they can walk out on the field and make the Olympic team because of the name, right?” Doucette said. “They still have to go out there and compete.”
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