Darrell Green, a Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback who played his entire 20-year NFL career with the Washington Redskins from 1983 to 2002, participated 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 aged 64, qualified for the in-person trials through USA Football's digital combine. His performance earned him a closer evaluation by national team coaches despite being older than other participants.[1][3]
USA Football senior director of high performance and national teams Callie Brownson said: "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]
Green was the No. 28 overall pick in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M-Kingsville. Over 295 games, he recorded 1,202 combined tackles, 54 interceptions including six returned for touchdowns, appeared in seven Pro Bowls, earned first-team All-Pro honors once in 1991, and won Super Bowls XXII and XXVI.[2][4] He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008.[4]
The Washington Commanders retired Green's No. 28 jersey on October 20, 2024, during halftime of their game against the Carolina Panthers at FedExField in Landover, Maryland.[1]
Green is aiming for an invitation to national team training camp next month and a potential roster spot on the 2026 U.S. squad for the IFAF Flag Football World Championship. Flag football will debut as an Olympic sport at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.[1][3]
The U.S. men's flag football team has dominated internationally, winning six of the last seven world championships since 2010. About 100 athletes competed in the trials, including former WNBA player Loryn Goodwin and ex-Florida State guard O’Mariah Gordon.[1]
Green said on USA Football’s Instagram: "I’m going to give it my best and I’ll walk away with my head up, either way."[1]
Sources
- Fox News Digital, "Pro Football Hall of Famer Darrell Green, 64, eyes Olympic spot on US flag football team", October 28, 2024, https://www.foxnews.com/sports/pro-football-hall-famer-darrell-green-64-eyes-olympic-spot-us-flag-football-team
- Pro-Football-Reference.com, "Darrell Green", accessed November 2024, https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GreeDa20.htm
- USA Football, "Flag National Team Trials", accessed November 2024, https://www.usafootball.com/flag-national-team-trials
- Pro Football Hall of Fame, "Darrell Green", accessed November 2024, https://www.profootballhof.com/players/darrell-green/
