Darrell “Housh” Doucette, standing five feet, seven inches tall and weighing 140 pounds, made headlines last year by boldly claiming he could outshine NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes in flag football, primarily due to his extensive knowledge of the game. As flag football continues to make strides toward inclusion in the 2028 Olympics, Doucette is advocating for his fellow players to receive a fair opportunity in the competition, particularly against active NFL athletes.
“The flag guys deserve their opportunity,” Doucette remarked to a Washington Post reporter. He expressed the collective sentiment among flag football players, who feel overshadowed by NFL discussions surrounding the sport. Doucette is vocalizing the hard work his peers have put in to elevate flag football, urging that they should not be disregarded.
Doucette is confident in the capabilities of American flag football players, believing they are sufficiently skilled to claim a gold medal without the addition of NFL talent. “This is a sport that we’ve played for a long time, and we feel like we are the best at it,” he asserted. He emphasized that while they welcome competition, the primary goal remains to represent the United States honorably.
Highlighting the distinctions between flag and tackle football, Doucette pointed out, “It’s entirely two different games,” and he believes that NFL players do not yet grasp the nuances required to excel in flag football.
On the flip side, Canadian men’s national flag football team coach Chad Palmer expressed a contrasting viewpoint. Palmer indicated he would prefer to compete against Doucette’s team rather than an ensemble featuring top NFL players. He maintains that the skills acquired in tackle football can rapidly translate into flag football proficiency. Palmer suggested that with elite NFL players like Ja’Marr Chase, the advantage lies with those accustomed to professional gameplay.
Palmer shared his expectations that Canada’s representation at the Olympics would similarly comprise NFL players. However, as the rules limit NFL team eligibility to one player per team for the event, it raises questions about the overall level of competition. Given the tournament structure—with 10-player teams battling in a five-on-five format—many competitors may not be from the top tiers of the NFL.
The emerging dynamics of flag football in the Olympic context promotes a healthy competitive spirit, showcasing both established professionals and passionate amateurs. While debates continue about the rightful contenders for Olympic medals, the growing interest in flag football is a positive development for the sport, fostering unity among players and teams striving for excellence.