With flag soccer making its Olympic debut throughout the 2028 Video games in Los Angeles, many count on NFL gamers to participate within the motion. However U.S. flag soccer quarterback Darrell “Housh” Doucette feels folks shouldn’t be so fast to write down off present flag soccer gamers.
“I feel it’s disrespectful that they only robotically assume that they’re capable of simply be a part of the Olympic workforce due to the individual that they’re,” Doucette mentioned. “They didn’t assist develop this recreation to get to the Olympics. Give the fellows who helped this recreation get to the place it’s at their respect.”
Doucette, 35, led the flag soccer nationwide workforce to a gold medal on the 2022 World Video games and was named the MVP when Workforce USA went 7-0 to win the Americas Continental championship in 2023.
The NFL launched a teaser with Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts on the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum earlier in August. Worldwide Federation of American Soccer president Pierre Trochet named Hurts flag soccer international ambassador.
It’s our flip to mild up the LA28 Olympic Video games. #NextUpLA28 pic.twitter.com/PEgQOqpmUx
— NFL (@NFL) August 5, 2024
“Younger, quick, artistic and performed by excellent athletes, together with our international flag soccer ambassador Jalen Hurts, the format is the right match for the Video games of a brand new era,” Trochet.
Other than Hurts, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams have expressed curiosity in finally enjoying on the flag soccer nationwide workforce. Miami Dolphins extensive receiver Tyreek Hill alluded to creating an NFL equal of the 1992 Dream Workforce as effectively.
With the 2028 Olympics on the horizon, Doucette hopes to have the ability to compete for his quarterback place relatively than having a Burrow, Hurts or Williams take his spot just because they’re already within the NFL and Doucette isn’t.
“We simply don’t assume they’re going to have the ability to stroll on the sector and make the Olympic workforce due to the title, proper?” Doucette mentioned. “They nonetheless must go on the market and compete.”
Required studying
(Photograph: Leslie Plaza Johnson / Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos)
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings