Key Takeaways
- The current members of Team USA’s flag football team dominated NFL players in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic, winning 39-14 and 43-16 in two games.
- NFL players struggled to adjust to the rules and style of flag football, committing multiple penalties and having trouble defending against Team USA’s speed and agility.
- The selection process for the 2028 Olympic flag football team should prioritize the current members of Team USA, who have proven themselves to be superior players in the sport.
- Some NFL players, such as Saquon Barkley, DeVonta Smith, and Odell Beckham Jr., showed promise in flag football, but were still outmatched by Team USA.
- The 2028 Olympics will feature flag football as a medal sport, with the NFL permitting its players to participate and each team allowed to send one player to the Olympics.
Introduction to Flag Football and the Olympics
The possibility of playing flag football at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has generated excitement among some NFL players. However, based on the results of the Fanatics Flag Football Classic, it appears that most NFL players may not be competitive enough to earn a spot on Team USA’s Olympic squad. The current members of Team USA’s flag football team, who are the reigning IFAF Flag Football World champions, dominated two teams filled with NFL stars and celebrities, winning 39-14 and 43-16 in two games.
The Fanatics Flag Football Classic
The Fanatics Flag Football Classic was a statement game for Team USA’s current flag football members. The team, led by players such as Darrell Doucette III, who scored six total touchdowns and was named MVP of the event, ran circles around the Wildcats and Founders, two teams filled with NFL stars and celebrities. The Wildcats, led by NFL quarterbacks Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels, were routed 39-14 in the first game, while the Founders, led by Tom Brady, were blown out 43-16 in the second contest. The NFL players struggled to adjust to the rules and style of flag football, committing multiple penalties and having trouble defending against Team USA’s speed and agility.
Challenges Faced by NFL Players
The NFL players who participated in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic had a difficult time adjusting to the rules and style of flag football. Luke Kuechly, who was recently elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, was called for two defensive fouls in the first half of the initial game. The Wildcats and Founders were penalized seven total times as they tried to slow down Team USA. The NFL players had the speed and strength, but the experienced and well-trained flag football players on Team USA had the advantage in all other areas, including speed, quickness, elusiveness, and agility. As Greg Olsen, a FOX broadcaster, noted, "Make no mistake about it. These guys might not be the biggest guys, 6’4 or 6’3. But these guys are incredibly skilled, incredibly fast and at this point in the development of the game, they just have a better understanding of flag football than the NFL guys."
Selection Process for the Olympic Team
The selection process for the 2028 Olympic flag football team should prioritize the current members of Team USA, who have proven themselves to be superior players in the sport. While some NFL players, such as Saquon Barkley, DeVonta Smith, and Odell Beckham Jr., showed promise in flag football, they were still outmatched by Team USA. The NFL has permitted its players to participate in flag football at the 2028 Olympics, with each team allowed to send one player to the Olympics, along with an additional international player if designated. It will be interesting to see which NFL players will try to make Team USA’s Olympic squad, but based on the results of the Fanatics Flag Football Classic, it appears that the current members of Team USA are the ones who deserve to represent the country at the Olympics.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
In conclusion, the Fanatics Flag Football Classic was a statement game for Team USA’s current flag football members, who dominated NFL players in two games. The selection process for the 2028 Olympic flag football team should prioritize the current members of Team USA, who have proven themselves to be superior players in the sport. While some NFL players showed promise in flag football, they were still outmatched by Team USA. The 2028 Olympics will feature flag football as a medal sport, and it will be exciting to see which players will represent the United States in the inaugural Olympic tournament.