Pro Football Hall of Famer Darrell Green, 64, takes part in U.S. flag football national team trials

Former Washington cornerback Darrell Green, who played his entire 20-year NFL career from 1983 to 2002 solely with the franchise then known as the Redskins, has recorded 54 interceptions, including six returned for touchdowns, and an estimated 1,251 combined tackles.[1]

Selected 28th overall in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M-Kingsville, Green won Super Bowls XXII and XXVI, earned seven Pro Bowl selections and one first-team All-Pro honor. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008.[1][2]

Green's No. 28 jersey was retired by the Washington Commanders during halftime of their game against the Carolina Panthers on October 20, 2024, in Landover, Maryland.[2]

At age 64, Green is participating in trials for the U.S. men's flag football national team at the USA Football Olympic & Paralympic Center in Chula Vista, California. He qualified through a digital combine with impressive testing results despite being older than other participants.[2][3]

"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," USA Football senior director of high performance and national teams Callie Brownson said.[2][3]

Green hopes to earn an invitation to training camp next month and a roster spot on the 2026 U.S. squad for the IFAF Flag World Championship in Heidelberg, Germany, scheduled for summer 2026. Flag football will debut as an Olympic sport at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.[2][3]

The U.S. men's flag football team has won six of the last seven world championships since 2010. Approximately 100 men and women athletes, including former WNBA player Loryn Goodwin and ex-Florida State guard O’Mariah Gordon, are competing for national team spots.[2][3]

"I’m going to give it my best and I’ll walk away with my head up, either way," Green said.[2][3]

Sources

1. Pro-Football-Reference LLC. "Darrell Green." Accessed November 2024. https://www.profootballreference.com/players/G/GreeDa20.htm
2. Fox News. "Hall of Fame CB Darrell Green, 64, eyes Olympic spot on US flag football team." October 25, 2024. https://www.foxnews.com/sports/hall-fame-cb-darrell-green-64-eyes-olympic-spot-us-flag-football-team
3. ESPN. "Hall of Famer Darrell Green, 64, tries out for U.S. flag football Olympic team." October 25, 2024. https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/42359218/hall-famer-darrell-green-64-tries-flag-football-olympics