Tom Brady delivered a perfect opening drive. Then Team USA took over and never let go.
The Fanatics Flag Football Classic in Los Angeles brought together NFL stars, celebrities, and elite flag football athletes. It also gave fans a rare look at Brady in a competitive setting for the first time in more than 1,000 days. His early touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs electrified the crowd, but the rest of the afternoon belonged to the U.S. National Flag Team.
SPORTS TALK FLORIDA COVERS ALL YOUR FAVORITE SPORTS
This story includes reporting assistance from The Associated Press.
Brady Starts Fast Before Team USA Takes Control
Brady replaced Jalen Hurts on fourth and goal and immediately fired a corner‑route touchdown to Diggs. He followed it with a smooth two‑point conversion to Rob Gronkowski, giving the Founders FFC an 8‑0 lead. The 48‑year‑old even dodged a free rusher to extend the play, showing flashes of the mobility he rarely displayed in the NFL .
But the momentum didn’t last. Gronkowski left with a hamstring injury, and Team USA’s speed and precision overwhelmed Brady’s squad. The national team scored on every possession across three games except for a late kneel‑down, rolling to wins of 43‑16, 39‑16, and 24‑14 in the championship round.
NFL Stars Learn Flag Football On The Fly
The Founders and Wildcats rosters were loaded with NFL names. Brady, Hurts, Diggs, Von Miller, Alvin Kamara, Antoine Winfield Jr., DeVonta Smith, and Terence Crawford headlined the Founders. Joe Burrow, Jayden Daniels, Saquon Barkley, Odell Beckham Jr., Davante Adams, DeAndre Hopkins, Derwin James Jr., Luke Kuechly, Jalen Ramsey, and Logan Paul anchored the Wildcats .
Despite the star power, the NFL players struggled with the nuances of the 5‑on‑5 format. Penalties piled up. Timing was off. And Team USA’s mastery of spacing, tempo, and route concepts created mismatches all afternoon.
Brady even drew a penalty for tossing his flag to the ground during a hurry‑up sequence, unable to reattach it quickly enough before the snap.
Team USA Sends A Message Ahead Of The 2028 Olympics
Flag football will debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and many NFL players have already expressed interest in competing. But Team USA’s performance showed that roster spots will not be handed out.
Darrell “Housh” Doucette III, Nico Casares, and the rest of the national team dominated every phase of play. Their chemistry and discipline stood in stark contrast to the NFL‑heavy squads that had only a few practices together.
They proved they are the standard in the sport and intend to defend their place on the Olympic stage.
A Showcase Of Stars, A Reminder Of The Gap
Brady had highlights. Hurts had moments. Diggs and Smith made plays. But the day belonged to Team USA, whose precision and speed turned a star‑studded exhibition into a statement.
The event was originally scheduled for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but was moved to Los Angeles due to the Iran war. The change of venue didn’t change the outcome: the national team remains the class of the sport, and the NFL’s biggest names now know exactly how high the bar is set .
