Darrell Doucette wants us vs. NFL flag football narrative to end

Darrell Doucette did not mean any lack of respect. The whole American flag football star wanted to do in an interview that has become more viral than any of his many protruding facts was to fight for his sport.

So when He said to TMZ in 2024 Whether he was “better than Patrick Mahomes” in Flag Football for his IQ in sport, the generally sweet sweette did not try to issue challenges. Look at the double world champion throwing affairs, catch them, take the ball and play defense in the same game and it is clear that he prefers to let his game speak.

“It was not mine against them,” said Doucette, who is known in the world of football of the flag by his nickname “Housh”. “It was a question of Flag Football, to give eyes to this match.”

With preparations that accelerate for the 2028 Olympic Games, Flag Football just wants his respect.

Respect for sport which is no longer just a springboard of a child to tackle football.

Respect for his established players who have already won all the tournaments that are there and have eyes for more.

The American recipient Isabella “Izzy” Geraci Court with the ball in a match against Australia in the United States Summer Summer series at Dignity Health Sports Park on Sunday.

(CARLIN STIEHL / LOS Angeles Times)

“It’s no longer your mom’s flag football,” said Callie Brownson, senior director of high performance and operations of the United States national team.

Football of flag is a graduate of the rear-cours and at the Olympic Games, where sport will make its debut in Los Angeles, more than 750 athletes from 10 countries, from the level of youth to the senior national teams gathered at the Dignity Health Sports Park last weekend to preview the Olympic future at the American football summer series, where the national male Americans played friendly matches against Canada, Australia and Japan.

The growth of sport at the national and international level came in part thanks to major NFL investments, and the League could play a major role at the Olympic Games: NFL players are allowed to participate in the Olympic competition. Buffalo Bills, Josh Allen’s quarterrier, was one of the NFL stars who immediately noticed it, because the most useful NFL player said he would “love to play” if she had the opportunity.

Sweetie loved hearing the conversation. The native of New Orleans grew up doing sports while no one else cared to worry about it. To hear the NFL players interested now? It’s like everything he always wanted.

“We welcome these guys,” said Doucette. “We have no problem with that. We just want a fair opportunity. We want these guys to go out and learn because there are things we are going to need to teach them … and there are things they can teach us. They can teach us to manage routes and how to cover and do other things.

The receiver of the United States Ja’deion High Erade an Australian defender in the “summer series” of American football at Dignity Health Sports Park on Sunday.

(CARLIN STIEHL / LOS Angeles Times)

Olympic flag football is played with five players per side on a field of 50 by 25 yards. The teams have four tests to reach the midfielder and four others to mark from the interior of the midfielder. The basic tenants of offensive football remain the same in his tackle counterpart: throw, catch, run.

But players do not judge in the same way that their tackle counterparts can, said the large receiver Ja’deion High. When the former Texas Tech recipient learned of sport, he was amazed when the defenders still pulled his flag after what he thought was his best movements. He had to learn the boxes and flips of the hip from the flag football to keep his flags away from the defenders.

Defense adjustment could be even more difficult. Defenders cannot hinder the progress of an opposing player. NFL’s most banal handwriting would cause a penalty in Football Flag.

“Athletic capacity [of an NFL player]I am not questioning, “said the defensive back Mike Daniels, a former corner half of Virginia-Western.” But the Qi aspect, the speed of the game is completely different. “”

USA Football, the American Football Director of the American flag responsible for the selection of the national team, did not describe how NFL players will integrate into the test process for the 2028 Olympic cycle. But with the games scheduled from July 14 to July 30, the a week’s flag competition could overlap the start of NFL training camps. Even preparations for learning the new sport and practicing its unique programs would take valuable time of NFL players.

The American recipient Laval Davis, on the left, tries to take a pass while an Australian player defends himself in the summer football summer series on Sunday.

(CARLIN STIEHL / LOS Angeles Times)

The second in charge, Daiyan Henley, was ready to burst into a patriotic song to represent the United States at the Olympic Games, but when he recalled that he may have to miss part of the training camp for this, he immediately fell. He spoke directly in a video camera to ensure the coach Jim Harbaugh that the work which pays him $ 5.4 million on a recruit contract of four years is everything he needs.

USA Football remained in touch with the NFL on how to integrate professionals, said Brownson, who worked for Cleveland’s Browns for five seasons, including three as an assistant large receiver trail. With the matches still in three years, USA Football focuses on the maintenance of open doors to all prospects and offering educational opportunities so that potential players become familiar with Football Flood.

“What is cool about our process is that when you go out in the tests, there is no name in the back of your jersey,” said Brownson. “You get a number and have the same opportunity to try that the person next to you. … We will simply be delighted to have the best team that we could, but I always do and I will always defend who we are currently organizing.

“They are the best football players in the world in the world in the world, men and women, and they also deserve their flowers.”

The United States Men’s National Men’s Male team is the world’s international football (IFAF) world champion (IFAF) Federation. Since Doucette made her national team debut in 2020, American men are undefeated in international tournaments with gold medals at two world championships (2021, 2024), the Games of the World 2022 and the 2023 Continental Championship.

The United States receiver, Amber Clark-Robinson, marks a hit against Australia to the United States Summer Summer series at Dignity Health Sports Park on Sunday.

(CARLIN STIEHL / LOS Angeles Times)

Led by the quarter-Arrière Vanita Krouch, the women’s team has a 33-1 file in the past six years. American women won three consecutive IFAF world championships and the continental 2023 title while finishing second at the 2022 world games.

Krouch became an international football star after a four-year basketball career at Southern Methodist. Examination of talent transfers from other sports has contributed to strengthening the pipeline of American football athletes while organization is looking for the best qualities for Football Drapeau.

Baseball and softball players who can whip the passes from strange arms can thrive in a game that has several quarters. US national teams have former basketball, football and athletics stars.

Sport enhances agility and insaissivity. Although the 40 yards of the 40 yards of the NFL is the first test for speed, it can be less precious in Football Drapeau, said Brownson. The perfect flag football player combines this speed in a straight line with speed.

“There is such art and a craftsmanship and a different dance style that we do,” Krouch said. “I say that tackle football is like hip hop, Krump dance. … we dance with ballet. It’s finesse, it’s clean, it’s creative. “

The Quarterrière was an attacking coordinator in the NFL Pro Bowl 2023, the first version of the All-Star game to present a Football Flag format. Led the NFC team at victory, Krouch loved sharing the combinations of unique road football. She noticed how the NFL showed their respect for her sport by enthusiastically learning the different shades.

The pro Bowl experience has been one of the many surreal moments for Krouch in his career nearly two decades of Football Drapeau game. By playing in a local league, the 44 -year -old has become a gold medalist several times. She never thought that this sport that she sometimes taught in her elementary physical education lessons could become so great.

The American defensive back Laneah Bryan, on the left, is trying to remove a flag from an Australian player in the American football summer series on Sunday.

(CARLIN STIEHL / LOS Angeles Times)

The announcement that Flag Football would officially make his debut at the 2028 Olympic Games led him to even higher peaks. No question, Krouch wants to play in games.

But the test competition each year becomes 10 times more difficult, said Ashlea Klam, member of the national team. The 19 -year -old plays Football Flag on a scholarship for Keizer University at the NAIA level and recognizes that no one is guaranteed a place each year as the talent swimming pool develops. It will be even more difficult to make the Olympic list of 10 people.

While each year’s tests become more competitive, Doucette sees her hope for sport come true. He knows that the best prospects are a sign that more people pay attention to flag football. If in three years at BMO Stadium, eyes are obsessed with another quarter-Arrière leading the United States to the Olympic Games, Doucette will consider this mission always accomplished.

“No matter if I am part of the team or not, I will always be around the game,” said Doucette. “This is my goal is always to be there, in general, it doesn’t matter if I play or look.”