Soccer is lastly coming to the Olympics in 2028, with flag soccer taking the worldwide stage in Los Angeles. NFL gamers throughout the league have mentioned probably representing the USA, with Jalen Hurts seemingly being on the forefront. A business just lately aired of Hurts lighting the Olympic torch whereas being named the Olympic flag soccer ambassador.
Not everyone is thrilled with Hurts, and different NFL gamers, potential inclusion within the video games. Darrell Doucette, who’s USA Flag Soccer’s present beginning quarterback, just lately known as them out in an interview with The Guardian. Doucette needs NFL guys to compete for his or her spots on the crew as an alternative of mechanically being positioned on the crew.
“We simply don’t suppose they’re going to have the ability to stroll on the sector and make the Olympic crew due to the identify, proper?” Doucette mentioned. “They nonetheless should go on the market and compete.”
Hurts isn’t the one participant who has expressed a want to play within the 2028 Olympics. Fellow quarterback Joe Burrow, Caleb Williams, and Patrick Mahomes have spoken on the subject. Tyreek Hill is a possible candidate to play as effectively, bringing some severe velocity to the crew.
If these forms of gamers needed to get within the combine, you’d assume there could be some competitors between them, probably leaving earlier flag soccer gamers behind. Doucette says the thought of NFL gamers simply strolling in is “disrespectful” since they don’t have flag soccer expertise.
“I feel it’s disrespectful that they simply mechanically assume that they’re in a position to simply be a part of the Olympic crew due to the individual that they’re — they didn’t assist develop this sport to get to the Olympics,” Doucette mentioned. “Give the fellows who helped this sport get to the place it’s at their respect.”
Doucette does have a ton of success representing the USA, having a number of gold medals to his identify. The US received the 2021 World Championship together with the 2022 World Video games, hosted by Birmingham, AL. He argues NFL gamers received’t even be wanted to win a gold medal in Los Angeles.
“It’s not that we’d like these guys,” Doucette mentioned. “As a result of we’re already nice with who we now have.”
Now, there are just below 4 years earlier than the Olympics happen out West. Doucette will proceed to play for the USA, making ready to compete on the game’s greatest even stage. Keeping off NFL gamers will apparently be part of the method, hoping to retain his spot in 2028.
