U.S. flag football QB feels it’s ‘disrespectful’ to assume NFL players will take Olympic spots in 2028

With flag football making its Olympic debut during the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, many expect NFL players to take part in the action. But U.S. flag football quarterback Darrell “Housh” Doucette feels people shouldn’t be so quick to write off current flag football players.

“I think it’s disrespectful that they just automatically assume that they’re able to just join the Olympic team because of the person that they are,” Doucette said. “They didn’t help grow this game to get to the Olympics. Give the guys who helped this game get to where it’s at their respect.”

Doucette, 35, led the flag football national team to a gold medal at the 2022 World Games and was named the MVP when Team USA went 7-0 to win the Americas Continental championship in 2023.

The NFL released a teaser with Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum earlier in August. International Federation of American Football president Pierre Trochet named Hurts flag football global ambassador.

It’s our turn to light up the LA28 Olympic Games. #NextUpLA28 pic.twitter.com/PEgQOqpmUx

— NFL (@NFL) August 5, 2024

“Young, fast, creative and played by outstanding athletes, including our global flag football ambassador Jalen Hurts, the format is the perfect fit for the Games of a new generation,” Trochet.

Apart from Hurts, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams have expressed interest in eventually playing on the flag football national team. Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill alluded to making an NFL equivalent of the 1992 Dream Team as well.

With the 2028 Olympics on the horizon, Doucette hopes to be able to compete for his quarterback position rather than having a Burrow, Hurts or Williams take his spot simply because they are already in the NFL and Doucette isn’t.

“We just don’t think they’re going to be able to walk on the field and make the Olympic team because of the name, right?” Doucette said. “They still have to go out there and compete.”