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Darrell Green was one of the few NFL players who could compete in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s before retiring and eventually being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Green, 66, may end up following a new path back onto the field through flag football.
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Washington Redskins cornerback Darrell Green (28) returns his 50th career interception during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Landover, Maryland, Sunday, December 12, 1999. (AP Photo/Doug Mills, file)
With the Fanatics Flag Football Classic putting the sport at the forefront of NFL fans’ minds for at least one afternoon, Green hopes he can make the U.S. flag football team as the sport is set to debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
He will attend national team tryouts in Chula Vista, Calif., in hopes of receiving an invitation to training camp next month. He could end up earning a spot on the 2026 national flag football team that will compete in the world championships in Germany this summer.
“Darrell qualified through our numerical combination. He is later in his career than the other tryout participants, but his test results were impressive,” said Callie Brownson, USA Football’s senior director of high performance and national teams. “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.”
Former Washington defensive back Darrell Green reacts during a jersey retirement ceremony at halftime of an NFL football game between the Washington Commanders and the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, in Landover, Maryland. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, file)
The Washington Redskins selected Green in the first round of the 1983 draft out of Texas A&M-Kingsville. He only played for the Redskins for his entire career, which ended in 2002.
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He had 1,202 tackles, 54 interceptions and six interceptions returned for a touchdown. He was a two-time Super Bowl champion, a seven-time Pro Bowler and made the All-Pro team once.
“I’m going to do my best and I’ll leave with my head held high, either way,” Green said on USA Football’s Instagram page.
The task will not be easy for Green. American men’s flag football is the best in the world, winning six of the last seven world championships since 2010.
Former Washington Redskins cornerback Darrell Green stands next to his bronze bust at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, August 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, file)
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About a hundred men and women try to attract the attention of the coaches of the American national team. Former WNBA player Loryn Goodwin and former Florida State guard O’Mariah Gordon were among those in attendance.
