The Kansas City Chiefs‘ has stunningly called out the quarterback of the United States’ Flag Football team for “being afraid of competition” following the news that NFL players can compete for a spot on the roster at the 2028 Olympic Games.
League owners in Minnesota approved the request of players to compete for gold in Los Angeles in a few years’ time, and immediately the discussion has shifted to what kind of ‘dream team’ roster can be made.
It has left those competing in the Flag Football version of the sport feeling underappreciated, and perhaps even threatened, as they find their spots threatened by the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Jamarr Chase and Christian McCaffrey.
One such name is Darrell Doucette III, is the starting quarterback for Team USA, who suggested they do not actually need the esteemed talent of the NFL to help them on their way to a medal.
“This is a sport that we’ve played for a long time,” Doucette III said, as per the Washington Post. “And we feel like we are the best at it and we don’t need other guys.”
However, the comments don’t seem to have been well-received by the regular gridiron players as the Chiefs‘ Kelce, a three time Super Bowl-winning tight end, quickly hit back at him and accused him of weakness.
“Is this guy afraid of competition,” Kelce rhetorically asked on the New Heights podcast. “Just to have a tryout and the best players make the team.
“Boxing out other people from joining the sport because, ‘I haven’t played this specific style of football.'”
As things stand, it’s unclear whether any NFL players will make the roster for the Team USA Flag Football outfit, but there is a lot of time to go before a decision has to be made as the 2028 Olympic Games begin in July that year in LA.
How is Flag Football different?
Flag football originated in the 1940s as a recreational alternative to tackle football, primarily developed on U.S. military bases during World War II to allow servicemen to stay active without the risk of injury.
And overtime, this risk-averse game has, slowly but surely, gained popularity in schools, community leagues, and among youth and adult recreational players.
Unlike traditional American football, flag football eliminates physical tackling. Instead, players wear flags on belts, and a play ends when a defender removes a flag from the ball carrier.
This reduces physical contact and lowers the risk of injury, making the game more accessible to a wider range of participants, including those with physical ailments and disabilities.
Flag football typically features fewer players-usually five to eight per side-and is played on a smaller field with simplified rules.
Whilst not as complex, these differences make the sport faster-paced and more focused on agility and strategy, appealing to both beginners and experienced athletes looking for a less intense version of football.
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