Tom Brady was part of the Fanatics Flag Football Classic in Los Angeles on Saturday, and had gripes the sport isn't all that much like the NFL game that made him famous.
Tom Brady was part of the Fanatics Flag Football Classic in Los Angeles on Saturday, and had gripes the sport isn't all that much like the NFL game that made him famous.Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images for for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS
Before last weekend, the biggest question facing USA Football was, “How do we choose just one flag football team of NFL stars for the 2028 Olympics?”
After Saturday’s Fanatics Flag Football Classic in Los Angeles, the question has changed to, “Do we even want any of these guys?”
Some of the NFL’s biggest names graced the field — from Tom Brady to Joe Burrow, Jayden Daniels, Stefon Diggs, Davante Adams, Odell Beckham, and more. Many of them are openly talking about wanting to play on the Olympic team in two years.
“I’ve always wanted to play in the Olympics,” Burrow said. “The opportunity to win a gold medal . . . I’ve thought about an opportunity like that for a long time.”
But Saturday was a big serving of humble pie for Brady and the NFL stars who thought they could roll out of bed and dominate.
The real Team USA flag football team won all three games by a combined score of 106-44. Darrell “Housh” Doucette earned tournament MVP honors, and Ja’Deion High led all players with four touchdown catches. The flag footballers scored on every possession except for a kneel-down on the final play of a blowout win. They ran circles around their NFL counterparts, who looked like dinosaurs with their thick, 30-play armbands.
“We were trying to play more NFL football and pass concepts,” Brady said. “Just in terms of strategy, we’re probably way behind.”
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The biggest winner was Doucette, who went viral in 2024 when he said he was a better flag football player than Patrick Mahomes.
“All I was speaking of was about giving my brothers a fair chance to make [the Olympics in] 2028,” Doucette said, via The Athletic. “We came out this weekend with that on our mind to say, ‘Let’s show these guys that we are talented, that we are flag football and not to be overlooked by anyone in the world.’ ”
The NFL guys didn’t seem to understand that flag football is a different sport — five on five, no fumbles, no blocking, free rushers, and “pass only” plays near mid-field and the goal line. The NFL players seemed to have more penalty flags than flag pulls.
Had they studied the rules, they would have known that players like Von Miller and Luke Kuechly are of little use. Flag football is a speed game, and if the NFL was serious about putting together a roster, it would pick only running backs, receivers, defensive backs, and dual-threat quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson.
“Their skill set was very different than anything we’ve ever seen in the NFL,” Kuechly said, via The Athletic.
Velton Brown Jr. and Team USA left everyone in the dust on Saturday, including Davante Adams (left).
Velton Brown Jr. and Team USA left everyone in the dust on Saturday, including Davante Adams (left).Caroline Brehman/Associated Press
Brady’s response, after going 0-2 on the day, was to complain about the rules and how much they differ from tackle football.
“I think maybe about different ways to marry a seven-on-seven version of the game versus a flag version, where it resembles a little bit more football, might make it more exciting to watch every single day and get more people involved in it, kind of globally around the world,” Brady said.
Actually, flag football participation numbers are exploding, with the International Federation of American Football estimating 2.4 million kids play it in the US, along with “millions more” across 74 member nations.
That flag football is decidedly different from tackle football is a big reason for its popularity. Anyone can play it — including girls. It’s safer than tackle football, it’s relatively cheap, and it’s a terrific participation sport, on par with soccer. Even kids with zero athletic experience can understand “go pull the flag,” or “take the ball and run that way.”
Brady is correct that flag football is not exciting for TV audiences, but that’s not the point of the sport. It’s the NFL’s grassroots vehicle for introducing football to children and international markets, and to provide a safer option for children and families who otherwise would not play tackle football due to concussion concerns. It’s pickleball — everyone plays it, but no one cares about watching on TV.
“Tackle [football] will continue as the professional game played in the NFL,” the NFL’s Troy Vincent said. “But flag will dominate in neighborhoods, schools, and recreational leagues around the world.”
Joe Burrow has expressed interest in being part of the Olympics come 2028.
Joe Burrow has expressed interest in being part of the Olympics come 2028.Caroline Brehman/Associated Press
It’s the reason the NFL lobbied so hard for flag football to be included in the 2028 Olympics, and why Team USA is considering using NFL players. It’s a massively important showcase, and the more hype and interest, the better.
That leads to Team USA’s dilemma. In basketball and hockey, it’s a no-brainer to use the pros. The rules are the same, and there is no question that NBA and NHL players are the best on the planet.
But Saturday’s showcase revealed a deep divide. NFL players are elite athletes and certainly could master the rules and intricacies of flag football, but it would just be a side job. How much practice time will they actually put in, especially when it would have to come in the offseason? And how many will even find it worth it, considering the injury risk that could affect their primary career and put millions of dollars at risk? (Google Robert Edwards.)
If the goal is to win in 2028, then the choice is obvious for Team USA to keep using the flag footballers. But the primary goal might be promoting flag football, in which case using big-name NFL players makes sense.
The answer will probably be a hybrid. Team USA will pick a few Burrows and Beckhams to get media attention. But it’s the Doucettes and Highs who will lead the Americans to gold.
Ben Volin can be reached at ben.volin@globe.com.