Darrell Green, a Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback who played his entire 20-year NFL career with the Washington Redskins, is taking part in trials for the U.S. men's flag football national team in Chula Vista, California.[1][2]
Green, born February 15, 1960, and now 64 years old, qualified for the trials through USA Football's digital combine. His results impressed evaluators despite his age compared to other participants, according to Callie Brownson, USA Football's senior director of high performance and national teams.[1]
"He’s later in his career than the other trials participants, but his testing results were impressive," Brownson said. "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."[1]
The Redskins selected Green in the first round, 28th overall, of the 1983 NFL draft out of Texas A&M-Kingsville. Over 295 games, he recorded 54 interceptions, including six returned for touchdowns, and 1,202 tackles. He won Super Bowls XXII and XXVI, earned seven Pro Bowl selections and was a first-team All-Pro once.[2][3]
Green retired after the 2002 season and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008.[3]
The trials involve around 100 men and women athletes seeking spots on national teams. Other participants include former WNBA player Loryn Goodwin and ex-Florida State quarterback O’Mariah Gordon.[1]
Green is aiming for an invitation to training camp next month and a potential roster spot on the 2026 U.S. team for the IFAF Flag Football World Championship in Germany.[1][4] Flag football will debut as an Olympic sport at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.[5]
The U.S. men's flag football team has won all seven IFAF World Championships since 2010.[1][4]
"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 Digital, "Hall of Famer Darrell Green, 64, trying out for U.S. flag football Olympic team", October 21, 2024, https://www.foxnews.com/sports/hall-famer-darrell-green-64-trying-out-u-s-flag-football-olympic-team
- Pro-Football-Reference.com / Sports Reference LLC, "Darrell Green", accessed October 25, 2024, https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GreeDa20.htm
- Pro Football Hall of Fame, "Darrell Green", accessed October 25, 2024, https://www.profootballhof.com/players/darrell-green/
- International Federation of American Football (IFAF), "Flag Football World Championship 2026", accessed October 25, 2024, https://www.ifaf.org/index.php/flag-football/wuc-2026
- Olympics.com / International Olympic Committee, "Flag football approved for LA28 Olympics", October 14, 2023, https://olympics.com/ioc/news/flag-football-approved-for-la28-olympics
