Latest news with #DarrellDoucette
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
USA Football's 'Summer Series' in Los Angeles showcases flag football ahead of the 2028 Olympics
This undated photo provided by USA Football shows Team USA player Ashlea Klam as she looks down the field at the start of a play at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (Lester Barnes/USA Football via AP) This undated photo provided by USA Football shows Team USA quarterback Darrell 'Housh' Doucette as he runs down the field at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (Lester Barnes/USA Football via AP) This undated photo provided by USA Football shows Team USA player Ashlea Klam as she holds the football up while playing against Mexico's women's team at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (Lester Barnes/USA Football via AP) This undated photo provided by USA Football shows Team USA player Ashlea Klam as she runs with the football at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (Lester Barnes/USA Football via AP) This undated photo provided by USA Football shows Team USA quarteback Darrell 'Housh' Doucette as he runs down the field with the football at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (Lester Barnes/USA Football via AP) This undated photo provided by USA Football shows Team USA quarteback Darrell 'Housh' Doucette as he runs down the field with the football at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (Lester Barnes/USA Football via AP) This undated photo provided by USA Football shows Team USA player Ashlea Klam as she looks down the field at the start of a play at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (Lester Barnes/USA Football via AP) This undated photo provided by USA Football shows Team USA quarterback Darrell 'Housh' Doucette as he runs down the field at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (Lester Barnes/USA Football via AP) This undated photo provided by USA Football shows Team USA player Ashlea Klam as she holds the football up while playing against Mexico's women's team at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (Lester Barnes/USA Football via AP) This undated photo provided by USA Football shows Team USA player Ashlea Klam as she runs with the football at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (Lester Barnes/USA Football via AP) This undated photo provided by USA Football shows Team USA quarteback Darrell 'Housh' Doucette as he runs down the field with the football at the 2024 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Lahti, Finland. (Lester Barnes/USA Football via AP) Being in Los Angeles this weekend, practicing and playing in flag football games, and mentoring younger players, makes it all seem that much more real for quarterback Darrell 'Housh' Doucette. Just three summers from now, his sport will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 LA Games. What the final roster will look like, how many NFL players may be on it, is still being sorted out. Advertisement This weekend in LA is simply another chance to showcase flag football. Approximately 900 players from nine countries are taking part in USA Football's 'Summer Series.' No active-roster NFL players are slated to take the field. But that could change down the road after league owners unanimously gave permission in May for players to participate in flag football. 'It's gaining traction,' the 35-year-old Doucette said of his sport, which is currently already part of the NFL's Pro Bowl festivities. 'It's being talked about on ESPN, the NFL Network. The NFL is putting (resources) behind it. It's an exciting, fun, fast game.' The teams of tomorrow The fields at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles will host tournaments and showcases for players of all ages. The men's and women's national teams also play in a series of friendly international matches throughout the weekend. Advertisement On top of that, federations will engage in an international high-performance summit. Basically, it's an exchange of ideas and methodologies to grow the game around the world. The U.S. men and women are both No. 1 in the world, according to the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) rankings. 'There's sort of a sports diplomacy going on,' said Scott Hallenbeck, the CEO of USA Football. 'There's just lots of elements that I think speak really well to the growth of the sport within the Olympic movement and what's expected within the Olympic movement and the opportunity to all learn from each other as quickly as possible. 'It's only three years to the Olympics. ... We all have to go as fast as we can." Fine-tuning Advertisement This is also a chance for the national teams to fine-tune before international competitions. The U.S. squads will compete in September at the IFAF Americas Continental Flag Football Championship in Panama. The women's team also will play at the World Games in Chengdu, China, in August. 'The friendlies are more about just seeing where your team is currently at,' Doucette said. 'We are the top dogs, but we can't go out and treat it that way. We have to keep our foot on the pedal with every game we play.' Doucette still hopes to be the signal caller for Team USA when the LA Olympics roll around. Sure, he will be 38 at the time, but, hey, Tom Brady was winning Super Bowls beyond that age. Lately, Doucette has drawn some headlines for his stance on NFL players contending for roster spots. His take remains simple — beat them out and welcome to the team. Advertisement 'We all are family together. We don't treat each other differently. We all compete and we want the gold medal,' Doucette said. 'So if those (NFL) guys come out and try out, they make the team, congrats to them — they're one of us." The rules The games this weekend will be played following the IFAF's 5-on-5 rules. It's the same version fans will see in LA in 2028. The field is smaller than an NFL field by about half: 50 yards long — along with 10 yards for each end zone — and 25 yards wide. A stop is made by ripping off one of the flags attached by a belt to a ball carrier's waist. An offensive touchdown is worth six points with the subsequent extra-point attempt varying in value. Advertisement Soaring popularity There was a time not too long ago when receiver/center/defensive back Ashlea Klam had to explain the sport she plays. Not anymore. Not after flag football was added to the LA Olympics program, along with cricket, baseball-softball, lacrosse and squash, in October 2023. With the NFL on board, the visibility has only skyrocketed. Klam plays at Keiser University in Florida, which is one of numerous NAIA schools that now have programs. Being in LA this weekend, it's hard for Klam not to think about LA 2028. 'I always think about LA 2028,' said Klam, who bypassed scholarship offers in track and field to concentrate on flag football. 'I still feel like I'm celebrating, just knowing that it's in the Olympics for real.' Advertisement The action Among the events this weekend: — The Select Bowl. This is a chance for U.S. national team coaches to scout and identify rising stars in the sport. — The Junior International Cup. The 15- and 17-under boys' and girls' teams will take part in a tournament featuring squads from around the globe. — International Bowl. This will be a chance to see some of the top players in a series of international friendlies. Australia, Canada, Germany and Japan are also on hand. 'It's incredibly exciting to see the passion and enthusiasm around the sport," Hallenbeck said. 'The more traditional tackle fan or football fan is now starting to really understand what 5-on-5 flag football is and what a great addition to overall football fandom it can be." ___ AP sports:
Associated Press
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
USA Football's 'Summer Series' in Los Angeles showcases flag football ahead of the 2028 Olympics
Being in Los Angeles this weekend, practicing and playing in flag football games, and mentoring younger players, makes it all seem that much more real for quarterback Darrell 'Housh' Doucette. Just three summers from now, his sport will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 LA Games. What the final roster will look like, how many NFL players may be on it, is still being sorted out. This weekend in LA is simply another chance to showcase flag football. Approximately 900 players from nine countries are taking part in USA Football's 'Summer Series.' No active-roster NFL players are slated to take the field. But that could change down the road after league owners unanimously gave permission in May for players to participate in flag football. 'It's gaining traction,' the 35-year-old Doucette said of his sport, which is currently already part of the NFL's Pro Bowl festivities. 'It's being talked about on ESPN, the NFL Network. The NFL is putting (resources) behind it. It's an exciting, fun, fast game.' The teams of tomorrow The fields at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles will host tournaments and showcases for players of all ages. The men's and women's national teams also play in a series of friendly international matches throughout the weekend. On top of that, federations will engage in an international high-performance summit. Basically, it's an exchange of ideas and methodologies to grow the game around the world. The U.S. men and women are both No. 1 in the world, according to the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) rankings. 'There's sort of a sports diplomacy going on,' said Scott Hallenbeck, the CEO of USA Football. 'There's just lots of elements that I think speak really well to the growth of the sport within the Olympic movement and what's expected within the Olympic movement and the opportunity to all learn from each other as quickly as possible. 'It's only three years to the Olympics. ... We all have to go as fast as we can.' Fine-tuning This is also a chance for the national teams to fine-tune before international competitions. The U.S. squads will compete in September at the IFAF Americas Continental Flag Football Championship in Panama. The women's team also will play at the World Games in Chengdu, China, in August. 'The friendlies are more about just seeing where your team is currently at,' Doucette said. 'We are the top dogs, but we can't go out and treat it that way. We have to keep our foot on the pedal with every game we play.' Doucette still hopes to be the signal caller for Team USA when the LA Olympics roll around. Sure, he will be 38 at the time, but, hey, Tom Brady was winning Super Bowls beyond that age. Lately, Doucette has drawn some headlines for his stance on NFL players contending for roster spots. His take remains simple — beat them out and welcome to the team. 'We all are family together. We don't treat each other differently. We all compete and we want the gold medal,' Doucette said. 'So if those (NFL) guys come out and try out, they make the team, congrats to them — they're one of us.' The rules The games this weekend will be played following the IFAF's 5-on-5 rules. It's the same version fans will see in LA in 2028. The field is smaller than an NFL field by about half: 50 yards long — along with 10 yards for each end zone — and 25 yards wide. A stop is made by ripping off one of the flags attached by a belt to a ball carrier's waist. An offensive touchdown is worth six points with the subsequent extra-point attempt varying in value. Soaring popularity There was a time not too long ago when receiver/center/defensive back Ashlea Klam had to explain the sport she plays. Not anymore. Not after flag football was added to the LA Olympics program, along with cricket, baseball-softball, lacrosse and squash, in October 2023. With the NFL on board, the visibility has only skyrocketed. Klam plays at Keiser University in Florida, which is one of numerous NAIA schools that now have programs. Being in LA this weekend, it's hard for Klam not to think about LA 2028. 'I always think about LA 2028,' said Klam, who bypassed scholarship offers in track and field to concentrate on flag football. 'I still feel like I'm celebrating, just knowing that it's in the Olympics for real.' The action Among the events this weekend: — The Select Bowl. This is a chance for U.S. national team coaches to scout and identify rising stars in the sport. — The Junior International Cup. The 15- and 17-under boys' and girls' teams will take part in a tournament featuring squads from around the globe. — International Bowl. This will be a chance to see some of the top players in a series of international friendlies. Australia, Canada, Germany and Japan are also on hand. 'It's incredibly exciting to see the passion and enthusiasm around the sport,' Hallenbeck said. 'The more traditional tackle fan or football fan is now starting to really understand what 5-on-5 flag football is and what a great addition to overall football fandom it can be.' ___ AP sports:
Daily Mail
29-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Patrick Mahomes stuns reporters with Olympics admission
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has indicated that he might not be playing in the 2028 Summer Olympic games in Los Angeles. 2028 is set to be the first time that American football is played at the Olympic Games, with the non-contact flag version of the game taking place at BMO Stadium - home of the Los Angeles FC soccer team. Despite previously showing his interest in playing for Team USA at these Olympics, Mahomes seemed to do an about-face when speaking to reporters. 'I'll probably leave that to the younger guys,' Mahomes said to reporters Thursday. 'I'll be a little older by the time that thing comes around.' Mahomes, currently 30, will likely still be competing at a high level when he turns 33-years-old before the Olympic games. But by doing this, Mahomes could leave a roster spot open for other NFL players with interest in suiting up for Team USA after the league approved their participation. It's likely welcome news for Darrell Doucette, a QB on the USA national flag football team, who has been vocal in saying that NFL players shouldn't be included within the roster It could also help members of the United States national flag football team to make the roster, whose dreams of playing in the Olympics may have taken a massive hit in the wake of the NFL announcement. Darrell Doucette, the starting quarterback on that team, has been vocal in his stance that he and his teammates shouldn't be cast aside in favor of a roster of only NFL talent, according to the Washington Post. Doucette competing for a spot on Team USA against the likes of Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, Jayden Daniels, and others appears to be a mammoth task in the view of Travis and Jason Kelce. Of course, the Chiefs tight end may want to wear the red, white, and blue himself. 'May the best players play. Is this guy afraid of competition?' Travis said on an episode of the New Heights podcast. 'Just have a tryout and the best players make the team. 'He's just boxing out other people from joining the sport because they haven't played this specific style of football?' 'Lets just have these guys play an NFL team that's picked and may the best team win and represent the USA,' Jason added. 'If these guys are the best, they should represent USA. But I don't know anything about flag football, I feel really confident they're not the best.' 'We got some guys that can do some crazy stuff with the ball in their hands man,' Travis continued. ' Watching Darrell's highlights, even his highlights are f***in epic. Lamar would be f***, nobody's catching him. Lamar got stocky. What if we hold like a combine?' It is unclear how the Team USA squad for the Olympics will be chosen. If it is in line with other team sports, the head coach or national organization for the sport will choose the roster, in line with how the basketball and soccer teams get filled out. Other sports like gymnastics and swimming, where there are team events, but athletes also compete individually, are chosen through the Olympic Trials, where a series of qualifying phases occur. Doucette would be 38 for the Los Angeles Olympiad, with rare NFL players having massive success at that age or older, with Tom Brady being the glaring exception.
New York Times
29-05-2025
- General
- New York Times
Patrick Mahomes brushes off idea of playing Olympic flag football: ‘I'll probably leave that to the younger guys'
If you're drafting an all-star NFL flag football team for the 2028 Olympics, one Super Bowl-winning quarterback might already be off the board. Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes pushed off the notion that he'd petition to play flag football at the 2028 Olympic Games while speaking with reporters on Thursday. Advertisement 'It's awesome to be able to showcase the NFL to the whole world through flag football, but I'll probably leave that to the younger guys,' Mahomes told reporters after Chiefs OTAs on Thursday. 'I'll be a little older by the time that comes around.' Mahomes, who enters his ninth NFL season and will turn 30 in September, will be 32 when the 2028 Los Angeles Games begin. NFL owners unanimously approved a resolution earlier this month allowing current NFL players to try out for flag football teams for the 2028 Olympics. The decision was met with excitement from many NFL stars and executives eager to expand the league's global footprint. Although flag football will make its Olympic debut in 2028, the sport has been played on a global stage for years. U.S. flag football quarterback Darrell 'Housh' Doucette has been a vocal advocate for current flag football players and their consideration for Olympic rosters. Doucette, who has led the U.S. national team to the past four global championships, gained attention in August when he told TMZ he felt like he was better than Mahomes. Earlier this month, Doucette reiterated to the Washington Post that he thinks flag football players deserve their opportunity. 'This is a sport that we've played for a long time, and we feel like we are the best at it and we don't need other guys,' Doucette, 35, said. Mahomes' teammate, tight end Travis Kelce, responded to Doucette on a recent episode of his 'New Heights' podcast, which he hosts with his brother Jason. 'Is this guy afraid of competition?' Kelce said. 'Have a tryout and the best players make the team. He's just boxing out other people from joining the sport because they haven't played that specific style of football?' When the resolution was approved, USA Football CEO and executive director Scott Hallenbeck acknowledged that former flag football players will remain part of the equation while expressing excitement for the inclusion of NFL talent. Advertisement 'We're fortunate to have a talent pool that already features prominent flag football stars who have helped USA Football establish a gold-medal standard in international competition,' Hallenbeck said. 'Including players from the NFL only strengthens our ability to build the best U.S. Men's National Team possible and achieve our ultimate goal for LA28: to bring home two gold medals in flag football. We will continue to develop our high-performance plan that guides the creation of our National Teams. We look forward to working with the NFL on the specific opportunities that NFL players can use to showcase their skills and become eligible for selection to Team USA.' Per the resolution, one player on each NFL roster can try out for a given country's Olympic team (six countries will compete in men's flag football in 2028). Olympic flag football teams must ensure their practices, games and other events don't conflict with players' commitments to their respective NFL teams. The Games begin July 14, so if the flag football competition is held in the first week, the event will be over by the time many NFL training camps begin in late July.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Travis Kelce takes a dig at Darrell Doucette: 'Is this guy afraid of competition?'
(Image via Getty: Travis Kelce) One of the best portions of running a podcast is that the host can say whatever they want, irrespective of any backlash. They can form opinions about whatever topic they want, regardless of an instant backlash. That's what Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has on his mind whenever he runs his New Heights podcast show with his older brother, Jason Kelce. They form opinions. One such opinion revolved around the leading quarterback of Team USA flag football, Darrell Doucette. Travis Kelce said, 'Is this guy afraid of competition?' Travis Kelce says Darrell Doucette is boxing out other people from joining flag football Now that the NFL players can participate in flag football at the 2028 Summer Olympics, most NFL players have poured in their perspectives. While many showed interest, one in particular challenged Darrell Doucette. USA's Darrell Doucette says he's a better flag football QB than Mahomes (via @TMZSports) Travis Kelce openly challenged Doucette, quarterback leading the Team USA of flag football, on his New Heights podcast (Episode 141), 'May the best players play. Is this guy afraid of competition? Just have a tryout, and the best players make the team. He(Darrell Doucette)'s just boxing out other people from joining the sport because they haven't played this specific style of football? We got some guys that can do some crazy stuff with the ball in their hands, man.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like KAVA בכנרת - לחיות מול הפריים המושלם - החל הפריסייל במחירי השקה מיוחדים! Kava בכנרת Undo After openly challenging Darrell Doucette, Travis Kelce calls Doucette's highlights f**king epic Amidst setting an open challenge, Chiefs TE praised Darrell Doucette, 'Watching Darrell's highlights, even his highlights are f**king epic. Lamar(Jackson) would be f**k, nobody's catching him. Lamar got stocky. What if we hold like a combine?' Jason Kelce wanted to calm down a heated discussion, or did he not? Inside the NFL Owner's Meeting + Gretzky on Ovechkin's Scoring Record, GOATs & NHL Playoffs | EP 141 Jason said, 'Let's just have these guys play an NFL team that's picked, and may the best team win and represent the USA. If these guys are the best, they should represent the USA. But I don't know anything about flag football, I feel really confident they're not the best.' Darrell Doucette would be 38 during the 2028 Summer Olympics, and he says he doesn't need other guys By the time the 2028 Summer Olympics set in, Travis Kelce would be 38, and so would Darrell Doucette be - 38! Nobody knows who'll be on the roster. But an open challenge sounds exciting! Both for flag football fans and for NFL fans! Fighting for the QB1 position at the Team USA of flag football - where Baltimore Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson and Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes would be considered - sounds exciting, too! But not too much for Darrell Doucette, who's the current QB1 at the Team USA of the flag football. On May 26, Doucette told the Washington Post, 'This is a sport that we've played for a long time, and we feel like we are doing the best at it, and we don't need other guys.' The other guys here are the NFL guys! No wonder, Taylor Swift's NFL boyfriend was challenging Darrell Doucette! Also Read: Thomas Morstead, 39-year-old punter, has been signed by the San Francisco 49ers, a fan says: 'Saleh bring you there?' | NFL News - Times of India Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
