NFL Stars Struggle Against Elite U.S. Flag Football Team

Tom Brady, Joe Burrow and other NFL greats were no match for the reigning world champion U.S. men's national flag football team, raising questions about the league's chances at Olympic glory.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 2:23am

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In a surprise matchup, the U.S. men's national flag football team dominated a roster of NFL stars in the Fanatics Flag Football Classic championship. Despite the presence of players like Tom Brady, Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley, the national team won handily, exposing the stark differences between traditional tackle football and the five-on-five, non-contact Olympic flag format. The result highlighted the challenges NFL players will face in transitioning to the Olympic game and the work required to be competitive on the global stage.

Why it matters

The NFL has advocated for the inclusion of flag football in the 2028 Olympics, seeing it as an opportunity to expand the sport globally. However, this tournament showed that the skills required for elite flag football differ significantly from those honed in the NFL. As the Olympics approach, the NFL and its players will need to seriously commit to mastering the nuances of the Olympic flag game if they hope to field a competitive team.

The details

In the championship game, the U.S. national team's quick-twitch movements, elusiveness and flag-pulling technique proved too much for the NFL stars to handle. Players like Luke Kuechly and Jalen Ramsey struggled to adapt to the non-contact rules and the need to precisely locate and pull flags rather than make traditional tackles. The smaller, 50-yard field also presented challenges for NFL quarterbacks used to the wide-open 100-yard game.

  • The Fanatics Flag Football Classic was originally scheduled to be played in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but was moved to Los Angeles due to regional conflict and security concerns.
  • The U.S. national team was only invited to participate three days before the event and had just four practices to prepare.
  • The tournament took place on March 21, 2026.

The players

Pablo Smith

Quarterback for the U.S. men's national flag football team.

Velton Brown Jr.

Wide receiver for the U.S. men's national flag football team, known for his elusive moves.

Luke Kuechly

Pro Football Hall of Famer and former NFL linebacker who struggled to adapt to the flag football rules.

Jalen Ramsey

Three-time All-Pro NFL defensive back who had difficulty pulling flags in the fast-paced game.

Tom Brady

Seven-time Super Bowl champion quarterback who advocated for rule changes to make the flag game more like traditional NFL football.

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What they’re saying

“Their skillset was very different than anything we've seen in the game of the NFL. The speed, the quickness, the ability to create space. Our inability to put our hands on those guys made the game very difficult.”

— Luke Kuechly, Pro Football Hall of Famer

“NFL players, if they want to go to the Olympics, they got to change their game to these type of rules because the Olympics aren't going to change the rules for them.”

— Jorge Cascudo, Head Coach, U.S. Men's National Flag Football Team

What’s next

The U.S. national flag football team will continue training and competing in international tournaments as they prepare for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. NFL players interested in making the Olympic team will need to dedicate significant time and effort to mastering the unique skills and rules of the flag game.

The takeaway

This tournament highlighted the vast differences between traditional NFL football and the Olympic flag format, underscoring the substantial work required for NFL players to be competitive on the global stage. The Olympic opportunity is there, but success will hinge on whether players are willing to invest the necessary time and energy to adapt their skills to the unique demands of flag football.