The coach who oversaw Tom Brady’s team in their flag football humiliation last month has cast doubt on any NFL star’s chances of playing at the Olympics in 2028.
Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton was put in charge of Brady’s Founders FFC team for the Flag Football Classic, which also included the likes of Rob Gronkowski, Stefon Diggs and Von Miller.
But it proved to be an embarrassing afternoon for the entire contingent of NFL stars who were using the game to boost their prospects of competing at the Los Angeles Games, where flag football will make its Olympics debut.
The existing Team USA flag football roster destroyed both NFL teams, winning all three of their games comfortably in Los Angeles.
Their performances cast doubt on Brady and other NFL stars’ ability to transfer their skills to flag football and led many to believe they should stay completely away from the Olympics.
Those thoughts have been echoed by Payton, who described getting dominated by the Team USA roster as ‘humbling’.
Tom Brady and other NFL stars were humiliated by the Team USA flag football roster last month
Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton described the NFL stars’ heavy defeats as ‘humbling’
The existing Team USA roster destroyed both NFL teams, winning all three of their games
He said at the NFL’s annual meetings in Arizona on Tuesday: ‘I think when this first was announced, there was this feeling there would be 10 NFL players on that roster.
‘I’ll be surprised if there’s one. I think we have plenty of players that can acclimate, but it’s going to take a month or two. And then if you’re one of those players, do you have that month or two?
‘And if you’re training for that, you’re not training [for NFL football]? So I just think it’s in a good spot.
‘I thought it was great for our international team, and more importantly, great for the women’s side of it, because there’s an avenue where they can play football.’
The speed, skill and knowledge of the flag football players proved to be a difference maker in the exhibition games as NFL stars couldn’t get a grasp on the rules or nuances of the different style of play.
‘I loved being out there in the flag game. I loved not getting hit,’ Brady said at the event. ‘I’ve got a lot of really fun things I’m involved in.
‘It’ll never get old throwing passes to incredible athletes. But I am happily retired.’
Asked who he thinks should represent Team USA in LA, Brady told reporters: ‘Whoever gives the team the best chance to win should be out there.’
