Several football stars are itching for the opportunity to play flag football during the 2028 Summer Olympics. Just don’t expect to see Shedeur Sanders on the Team USA roster.
The Olympics will introduce flag football when Los Angeles hosts in four years. Some NFL stars have already tossed their hat into the ring, but the Colorado quarterback can’t see himself participating.
On their 2Legendary podcast, Deion Sanders Jr. asked his brother if he’d want to compete in the 2028 Games. Shedeur gave Deion Jr. a succinct “no.”
Sanders offered a simple explanation that many other NFL players and organizations would likely consider if they’re cleared to participate in the inaugural event.
“Cause, bro. You could get injured,” Shedeur said.
The 22-year-old also noted the suboptimal timing. Assuming he’s in the NFL in 2028, Shedeur would have to play more competitive football while preparing for the upcoming season.
If allowed, enough stars may accept that extra workload to create a stacked Team USA roster. Yet Shedeur’s response comes amid some quibbling about who should comprise the flag football roster.
Darrell “Housh” Doucette, a multi-time flag football champion for the U.S. national team, called it “disrespectful” to assume NFL players should skip the line over dedicated flag football stars. The quarterback feels he’d be a superior choice under center to Patrick Mahomes.
“At the end of the day, I feel like I’m better than Patrick Mahomes because of my IQ of the game,” Doucette told TMZ Sports. “I know he’s right now the best in the league, I know he’s more accurate, I know he has all these intangibles, but when it comes to flag football, I feel like I know more than him.”
Of course, a lot can happen by 2028. Shedeur must first focus on his senior year at Colorado to cement himself as a high 2025 draft pick.
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