Darrell Doucette III, a quarterback for Team USA's men's national flag football team, has expressed strong belief that the current players are well-equipped to represent the United States at the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympics, where flag football will make its Olympic debut. Doucette emphasized the team's dedication, stating that they've played flag football for an extended period and feel they possess the skills necessary to succeed on this global stage. ‘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,’ he remarked, referencing the team's commitment to their goal of representing the country. He acknowledged the possibility of competition, saying, ‘If those guys come in and ball out and they’re better than us, hats off to them. Go win that gold medal for our country.’

The recent approval by NFL owners to allow professional players to try out for spots on the flag football Olympic team has led Doucette to voice concerns that those who have dedicated themselves to the sport may be overshadowed. ‘The flag guys deserve their opportunity. That’s all we want,’ Doucette stated. ‘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 expressed a desire to advocate for his peers who have worked tirelessly in the pursuit of Olympic representation.

In a notable declaration, Doucette asserted his capabilities as a leader for Team USA, stating that he believes he could lead more effectively than current NFL stars like Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Doucette elaborated, ‘At the end of the day, I feel like I’m better than Patrick Mahomes because of my IQ of the game.’ While acknowledging Mahomes' current success and skill set, Doucette conveyed confidence in the unique proficiency required for flag football. This sentiment was echoed by Chad Palmer, the former coach of the Canadian national flag football team, who differentiated the skill sets of established NFL players from those well-versed in flag football, indicating a preference for playing against the latter. With the stakes high for the potential Olympic roster, Doucette's advocacy reflects both ambition and the competitive spirit of the athletes committed to the growth of flag football.