While fans came to see Joe Burrow and Jalen Hurts, they left talking about Velton Brown Jr. and Darrell “Housh” Doucette. The speed gap was evident from the opening whistle. Team USA scored on every single possession during the tournament, except for a lone kneel-down to end a half. In the championship game, the Wildcats tried to slow the tempo, but Doucette remained surgical, finishing with a perfect 7-of-7 passing performance for three touchdowns.
The NFL stars looked like they were running in sand compared to the flag specialists. Brown Jr. and Doucette utilized a level of lateral twitchiness that left All-Pro defenders reaching for air. Even with Kyle Shanahan on the sidelines drawing up complex looks, the Wildcats couldn’t overcome the specialized rules and lightning-fast pace of the 5-on-5 format. The final whistle blew with Team USA standing tall after a 24-14 victory in the title bout.
“They thought their names would win it, but our legs did the talking. This isn’t a hobby for us; it’s our life. If the NFL guys want that Olympic gold in 2028, they better realize the mountain they have to climb.”
— Darrell “Housh” Doucette, Team USA Quarterback & Tournament MVP
The intensity at Exposition Park felt more like a playoff game than an exhibition. You could see the frustration on Joe Burrow’s face after an early “pick-six” by Isaiah Calhoun. Burrow has been vocal about his desire to lead Team USA in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, but Saturday proved that “Team NFL” has a long way to go in mastering the non-contact discipline. The Wildcats struggled with illegal contact penalties and had a difficult time with the sheer agility required to pull flags in space.
Looking ahead, the debate over the 2028 roster will only heat up. While superstars like Burrow and Jayden Daniels bring the arm talent, the chemistry and “flag IQ” of the current national squad are undeniable. Team USA heads to Düsseldorf this August for the IFAF World Championship as heavy favorites, while the NFL contingent goes back to the drawing board. If this weekend was a preview, the road to gold goes through the specialists, not just the superstars.
