Flag football matchup between Team USA and NFL players didn’t go as expected
Team USA scored on every drive they didn’t kneel out over three games against NFL players
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 21: Shawn Theard Jr. #19 of the US Men's Flag Football Team and Pablo Smith #14 of the US Men's Flag Football Team celebrate during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images for OBB Media - FANATICS STUDIOS) | Getty Images for OBB Media - FAN The first addition of the Flag Football Classic, originally scheduled for Saudi Arabia and later moved to Los Angeles, was played on Saturday.
For months, we’ve been hearing that NFL players would beat Team USA if the two were ever met face-to-face, a point of contention for both sides, as both groups believe they should represent the United States in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, where flag football will be an event for the first time. Before we get into the results of these matchups, let’s go over the two teams that were comprised of mostly NFL players (either current or former) at this event. Founders QB Tom Brady (retired) QB Jalen Hurts (Eagles) RB Ashton Jeanty (Raiders) RB Alvin Kamara (Saints) WR DeVonta Smith (Eagles) WR Stefon Diggs (free agent) TE Rob Gronkowski (retired) EDGE Von Miller (free agent) CB Patrick Peterson (retired) S Antoine Winfield Jr.
(Buccaneers) S Damar Hamlin (free agent) Terence Crawford (boxer) Wildcats QB Joe Burrow (Bengals) QB Jayden Daniels (Commanders) RB Saquon Barkley (Eagles) FB Kyle Juszczyk (49ers) WR Davante Adams (Rams) WR Odell Beckham Jr. (free agent) WR DeAndre Hopkins (free agent) LB Luke Keuchly (retired) CB Jalen Ramsey (Steelers) S Derwin James Jr. (Chargers) Logan Paul (wrestler) IShowSpeed (streamer) Originally, free agent receiver Deebo Samuel, Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett and former safety Tyrann Mathieu were supposed to participate in the event, but they dropped out.
The Denver Broncos’ Sean Payton coached the Founders, while the Wildcats were coached by the San Francisco 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan. Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh was a defensive specialist for both the Founders and Wildcats. The first matchup of the day was between Team USA and the Wildcats, a game that Team USA won 39-14.