Darrell Green, 64, a Pro Football Hall of Famer who played cornerback for the Washington Redskins from 1983 to 2002, participated in U.S. men's flag football national team trials held November 7-10, 2024, at Murdock Stadium in Chula Vista, California.[1][2]
Green qualified for the trials through USA Football's digital combine. He is seeking an invitation to the national team's training camp in December 2024 and a potential roster spot for the 2026 U.S. men's squad, which will compete at the IFAF Flag World Championships in Amberg, Germany, in August 2026.[1][3][4]
Flag football is set to debut as an Olympic sport at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.[5]
USA Football senior director of high performance and national teams Callie Brownson said of Green: "He’s later in his career than the other trials participants, but his testing results were impressive. 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 Washington Redskins selected Green in the first round, 28th overall, of the 1983 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M-Kingsville. He played his entire 20-year career with the franchise, now known as the Washington Commanders.[2][6]
Green recorded 54 career interceptions, six returned for touchdowns, and team records list 1,202 tackles. He won Super Bowls XXII and XXVI, made seven Pro Bowls, earned four first-team All-Pro selections, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008.[2][6][7]
The Commanders retired Green's No. 28 jersey at halftime of their October 20, 2024, game against the Carolina Panthers in Landover, Maryland.[8]
"I’m going to give it my best and I’ll walk away with my head up, either way," Green said.[1]
The trials drew about 100 athletes for men's and women's national team consideration. The U.S. men's team has won six of the seven IFAF Flag World Championships held since 2010.[1][3]
Sources
- Fox News Digital, "Darrell Green was one of a few NFL players who was able to compete in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s," November 11, 2024, https://www.foxnews.com/sports/darrell-green-66-may-pursue-new-route-back-gridiron-thanks-flag-football
- USA Football, "Flag National Team Trials," November 2024, https://www.usafootball.com/flag-national-team-trials
- International Federation of American Football (IFAF), "Germany to host 2026 IFAF Flag World Championships," June 28, 2024, https://www.ifaf.org/news/2743/germany-to-host-2026-ifaf-flag-world-championships
- Olympics.com, "Flag football to feature at LA28 Olympics," October 17, 2023, https://olympics.com/en/news/flag-football-la28-olympics-programme
- Pro-Football-Reference.com, "Darrell Green," accessed November 2024, https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GreeDa20.htm
- Washington Commanders, "Darrell Green - Ring of Fame," accessed November 2024, https://www.commanders.com/team/ring-of-fame/darrell-green/
- Pro Football Hall of Fame, "Darrell Green," accessed November 2024, https://www.profootballhof.com/players/darrell-green/
- Washington Commanders, "Darrell Green Jersey Retirement," October 20, 2024, https://www.commanders.com/news/darrell-green-jersey-retirement-2024
