Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has become the center of attention following a bold statement by U.S. flag football veteran Darrell “Housh” Doucette.
On Wednesday, Doucette asserted that he considers himself superior to Mahomes in flag football due to his extensive game knowledge. “At the end of the day, I feel like I’m better than Patrick Mahomes because of my IQ of the game,” Doucette told TMZ Sports. “I know he’s right now the best in the league, I know he’s more accurate, I know he has all these intangibles. But when it comes to flag football, I feel like I know more than him.”
Doucette further clarified, “I’m not saying I’m a better player overall, but until he steps on a five-v-five flag field, I’m going to feel that way until it’s proven otherwise. I’m a competitor and need to be proven wrong.”
In response, Mahomes, a two-time NFL MVP and three-time Super Bowl champion, seemed puzzled by the comparison, sharing a GIF of rapper 50 Cent on X.
Doucette had previously discussed his views on flag football in an interview with The Guardian, criticizing the assumption that NFL players should automatically represent the U.S. in the sport’s Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
According to Doucette, flag football, which features a narrow field and a five-on-five format, requires different skills compared to the physical nature of the NFL. He emphasized that NFL players would need to adapt to the unique aspects of flag football, including guarding and timing.
Doucette, who led the U.S. to gold at the 2022 World Games, suggested that NFL players such as Justin Jefferson and Tyreek Hill could transition smoothly to flag football. He also noted that several NFL stars, including Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and Caleb Williams, have previously shown interest in the sport.
NFL executive VP Jeff Miller revealed on Monday that discussions between the league and the union are ongoing regarding the participation of NFL players in flag football at the 2028 Olympics.
Doucette expressed openness to including NFL stars in the flag football national team, provided they undergo the same tryout process as other players in the flag football community. “I’m not hiding from the competition, and none of my teammates nor anybody else from the flag football world are hiding from the competition,” he stated.
