NFL Star Odell Beckham Jr. Earns Praise After Flag Football Game

Beckham's performance in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic impressed Team USA coach Jorge Cascudo.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 6:51pm

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NFL wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. participated in the inaugural Fanatics Flag Football Classic in Los Angeles over the weekend, where he earned high praise from Team USA head coach Jorge Cascudo. Cascudo was impressed by Beckham's athletic ability and said he would consider Beckham for the Team USA flag football roster ahead of the sport's Olympic debut in the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Why it matters

Flag football has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, with more and more NFL stars aligning themselves with the sport. Beckham's participation and strong performance in the Fanatics event highlights the growing interest and talent pool for flag football, especially as it prepares to make its Olympic debut in 2028 in Los Angeles.

The details

During the Fanatics Flag Football Classic, Beckham made an impressive catch that caught the eye of Team USA head coach Jorge Cascudo. Cascudo was so impressed that he said he would consider offering Beckham a spot on the Team USA roster, noting that receivers could make a relatively quick adjustment to the flag football game.

  • The Fanatics Flag Football Classic took place on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
  • Flag football will make its Olympic debut in the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

The players

Odell Beckham Jr.

An NFL wide receiver who participated in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic and impressed Team USA's head coach.

Jorge Cascudo

The head coach of the Team USA flag football team, who was impressed by Beckham's performance and said he would consider him for the roster.

Tom Brady

A legendary retired NFL quarterback who also participated in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic.

Joe Burrow

A current NFL quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals who participated in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic.

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What they’re saying

“Odell is a great athlete. He made an excellent catch in our first game, like, 'Woah.' I almost said, 'Hey, there's a spot whenever you're interested. Come talk to me. We can point you in trials and compete. There are a lot of athletes who are extremely talented. Right now, for the NFL, the quicker adjustment, I would say, would be the receivers, because they're just running routes and catching… I think Odell was one of the best.”

— Jorge Cascudo, Team USA Head Coach

What’s next

The roster for the Team USA flag football team ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has not yet been announced, but Odell Beckham Jr.'s strong performance in the Fanatics event has put him on the radar of the coaching staff.

The takeaway

Odell Beckham Jr.'s participation and impressive play in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic highlights the growing popularity and talent pool for flag football, especially as the sport prepares to make its Olympic debut in 2028 in Los Angeles. Beckham's skills could make him a valuable addition to the Team USA roster as they aim to win gold on the global stage.