Los Angeles – At 48 years vintage, Tom Brady proved Saturday he can still sling it, connecting with Stefon Diggs for a touchdown in his first competitive football action in over 1,000 days. However, the performance wasn’t enough to lift his Founders FFC team to victory as Team USA dominated the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
Brady, who replaced Jalen Hurts during the first offensive series, delivered a perfect strike to Diggs in the corner of the end zone. He followed that up with a successful two-point conversion pass to longtime friend and former teammate Rob Gronkowski, giving his team an early 8-0 lead against the U.S. National Flag team. The play showcased the arm talent that made Brady a seven-time Super Bowl champion, and drew immediate reaction from fans and analysts alike.
But the early momentum wouldn’t last. Team USA quickly responded, ultimately defeating Founders FFC 43-16. The U.S. Team had earlier dismantled the Wildcats FFC, led by Joe Burrow, with a decisive 39-16 victory.
The road to the final wasn’t easy for Brady’s squad. The Wildcats, featuring Jayden Daniels, Saquon Barkley, and Burrow, eliminated Founders FFC with a 34-26 win. Despite a more competitive showing in the final against Team USA, the Founders ultimately fell short, losing 24-14.
Team USA proved to be a relentless offensive force throughout the event, scoring on nearly every possession. In fact, their only non-scoring drive came when they intentionally took a knee to end one of their three victories.
“I’m heartbroken right now,” Brady admitted after the two losses, as reported by ESPN. Despite the team’s overall performance, Brady continued to display his signature intensity and skill, even orchestrating a “Philly Special” play – a trick play where a quarterback laterals the ball to another player who then throws a pass – connecting with Hurts for a touchdown against the U.S. National team.
The showcase event comes as flag football prepares for its Olympic debut at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles. Several NFL players have expressed interest in participating, but Team USA’s performance on Saturday underscored the level of competition they will face. Darrell “Housh” Doucette III, Nico Casares, and the rest of the U.S. Team clearly established themselves as the team to beat.
The event was originally scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but was relocated to Los Angeles due to the ongoing conflict in Iran.
Brady’s Founders FFC, coached by Sean Payton, boasted a roster of NFL stars including Ashton Jeanty, Alvin Kamara, Antoine Winfield Jr., DeVonta Smith, Von Miller, Damar Hamlin, Patrick Peterson, and even boxing champion Terence Crawford. Burrow’s Wildcats, under the guidance of Kyle Shanahan, featured Kyle Juszczyk, Odell Beckham Jr., Davante Adams, DeAndre Hopkins, Derwin James Jr., Luke Kuechly, Jalen Ramsey, Logan Paul, and YouTube personality IShowSpeed.
The dominance displayed by Team USA raises the stakes for NFL players considering a run at Olympic gold. The level of play showcased on Saturday suggests that representing the United States in 2028 will require significant dedication and preparation. The event served as a compelling preview of what fans can expect when flag football makes its Olympic debut, and highlighted the growing popularity of the sport.
The Fanatics Flag Football Classic provided a unique opportunity to see some of the NFL’s biggest names compete in a different format. While Brady’s performance offered a glimpse of his enduring talent, it was Team USA who ultimately demonstrated their mastery of the game, setting a high bar for future competition.
What’s Next: The focus now shifts to the continued development of flag football as it prepares for its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028. Expect increased participation and competition as more NFL players and athletes from other sports explore the possibilities of representing their countries on the world’s biggest stage.
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