Former Washington Redskins cornerback Darrell Green, a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, has qualified for the U.S. men's flag football national team trials in Chula Vista, California.[1][2] The 64-year-old Green, who played in the NFL from 1983 to 2002, hopes to earn an invitation to training camp next month and a potential roster spot for the 2026 World Flag Football Championships in Germany.[1]
Green was selected by the Redskins in the first round, 28th overall, of the 1983 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M-Kingsville. He spent his entire 20-year career with the franchise, retiring after the 2002 season. Over 295 games, he recorded 54 interceptions, including six returned for touchdowns, and is credited with 1,202 tackles.[3][4] He won Super Bowls XXII and XXVI, earned seven Pro Bowl selections and one first-team All-Pro honor, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008.[3][4]
USA Football senior director of high performance and national teams Callie Brownson said Green qualified through a digital combine and impressed with his testing results despite his age. "Our coaches and staff felt he deserved a closer look. ... He’s a rare athlete who has stayed in shape and is ready to compete this week," Brownson said.[1]
The trials feature around 100 men and women athletes vying for national team spots. Competitors include former WNBA player Loryn Goodwin and ex-Florida State guard O’Mariah Gordon.[1] U.S. men's flag football has won six of the last seven world championships since 2010.[1]
Flag football will debut as an Olympic sport at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.[1][2] Green recently attended his No. 28 jersey retirement ceremony during halftime of the Washington Commanders' game against the Carolina Panthers on October 20, 2024, in Landover, Maryland.[1][5]
"I’m going to give it my best and I’ll walk away with my head up, either way," Green said.[1]
Sources
- Fox News, "Pro Football Hall of Famer Darrell Green, 64, aiming to make U.S. flag football team for 2028 Olympics", October 22, 2024, https://www.foxnews.com/sports/pro-football-hall-famer-darrell-green-64-aiming-make-us-flag-football-team-2028-olympics
- USA Football, Flag National Team Trials Announcement (via Instagram and official channels), October 2024, https://www.usaf football.com/news/flag/2024/10/21/usa-football-announces-flag-football-national-team-trials
- Pro Football Reference, "Darrell Green", accessed October 2024, https://www.profootballreference.com/players/G/GreeDa20.htm
- Pro Football Hall of Fame, "Darrell Green", accessed October 2024, https://www.profootballhof.com/players/darrell-green/
- Washington Commanders, "Darrell Green Jersey Retirement Ceremony", October 20, 2024, https://www.commanders.com/news/darrell-green-jersey-retirement-photos
