“An Olympic medal is the greatest achievement and honor that can be received by an athlete. I would swap any World Title to have won gold at the Olympics,” said former Australian Boxer Jeff Fenech. Perfectly capturing the sentiment of what it means to win an Olympic medal, especially the gold. After all, every athlete in the world has at one point or another dreamt of it. Sure, plenty of American athletes from various sports have won it previously, but never one from the NFL. With the advent of Flag Football being included in LA2028. Things look like they might change, and an NFL player might finally get his hands on the prestigious Olympic medal.

With the Olympics getting more inclusive in terms of sports played, year after year. It only made sense that the International Olympic Committee added Flag Football to the list of sports for the LA2028 Olympics. Flag Football, in essence, is very similar to American Football, which is followed by millions around the world. The only major difference? Instead of tackling the player, you pull a flag from his belt. As the NFL has given its players permission to play the sport in the Olympics, we might just see some NFL players in Team USA in 2028. And considering the dominance Team USA has in the sport, even win an Olympic gold medal.

Discussing which player we might see in the Olympics were Kay Adams and Jason McCourty, on the Up and Adams Show. According to them, the frontrunner could be none other than NFL legend Tom Brady. Replying to Kay on whether Brady might “flirt” with the idea of playing, Jason had no doubts. Jason answered positively, saying he could “definitely see him (Tom) doing that.” Jason even talked about the reasons why Tom might actually be open to the idea.

Given that it is a smaller field and a non-tackling sport, Jason feels Tom can handle it. “I’m not going psycho mode, like I’m not getting hit, and he obviously can probably still throw the ball,” Jason said while explaining why it’s not as physically demanding as the NFL. Also speaking on how controversial it might get with Brady coming to the team. Jason said, “You talk about the notoriety that that would bring, Brady under center doing that, that’d be awesome.”

Kay also pointed out that Tom would be 50 years old at the time of the 2028 Olympics. “A 50-year-old Quarterback. I’m here for this,” Kay said, supporting the notion that Brady would be able to play the sport then. Jason was quick to point out that American Flag Football star Darrell Doucette might be hesitant to see a 50-year-old Tom Brady play. “If Darrell was pissed off about the other guys talking about, they’re going to come represent. He damn sure don’t want no 50-year-old think he’s gonna come out play playing at quarterback position,” Jason said. To this, Kay, trying to convince Tom to play, asked Tom if he’s “really going to let Patrick (Mahomes) get a gold medal.”

Irrespective of the decision regarding which NFL player plays for Team USA in Flag Football. It is going to be a heck of a controversial call either way. Especially with a Flag Football legend saying that the NFL players won’t have an easy way in.

NFL players won’t have an easy way into the Olympic squad

As the NFL players are getting ready to be a part of Team USA, a Flag Football legend is hesitant to let them take over. After all, it was the result of the struggles and hard work of the Flag Football players that the sport is in the Olympics. He’s also sent out a strong message about NFL players: “It’s not that we need these guys.” Making it clear that no NFL star will be let into the squad without great merit just because of their name.

Darrell Doucette, a QB and Flag Football legend, spoke to the Washington Post about NFL players getting in the Flag Football squad. In the interview, he supported the sport’s veterans getting the chance to compete for the spots without being bulldozed by the NFL. “The flag guys deserve their opportunity. That’s all we want,” Doucette said.”We felt like we worked hard to get the sport to where it’s at, and then when the NFL guys spoke about it, it was like we were getting kicked to the side,” he continued.

Doucette has always held this narrative. Even when the sport was initially announced to be included in the Olympics, he made headlines. Doucette had then said that it was “disrespectful” of the NFL players to “automatically assume” that they would make the squad. “Give the guys who helped this game get to where it’s at their respect,” Doucette had said last August.

While the debate about the similarity between the two sports will go on. It will be interesting to see how seriously Doucette’s statements giving priority to Flag Football players will be taken. And how it pans out when the Team USA squad is finally picked, which will be long into the future.