Darrell Green, a cornerback who played his entire 20-year NFL career with the Washington Redskins from 1983 to 2002, is taking part in U.S. flag football national team trials this week in Chula Vista, California.[1][2]

The 64-year-old Hall of Famer, born February 15, 1960, was selected by Washington in the first round, 28th overall, of the 1983 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M-Kingsville. He retired after the 2002 season.[2][3]

Green hopes to earn an invitation to national team training camp next month and a roster spot on the U.S. squad for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championship in Germany.[1] Flag football will debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.[1]

"Darrell qualified through our digital combine. He’s later in his career than the other trials participants, but his testing results were impressive," USA Football senior director of high performance and national teams Callie Brownson said. "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."[1]

During his NFL career, Green recorded 54 interceptions, including six returned for touchdowns, and 1,202 combined tackles. He earned seven Pro Bowl selections, one first-team All-Pro nod in 1991, and won Super Bowls XXII and XXVI.[2]

Green was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008.[3] The Washington Commanders retired his No. 28 jersey on October 20, 2024, during halftime of a game against the Carolina Panthers at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.[4]

The U.S. men's flag football team has won six of the seven IFAF World Championships held since 2010.[1]

Approximately 100 male and female athletes are attending the trials, including former WNBA player Loryn Goodwin and former Florida State quarterback O'Mariah Gordon.[1]

"I’m going to give it my best and I’ll walk away with my head up, either way," Green said.[1]

Sources

1. USA Football, "Hall of Famer Darrell Green Among Athletes at Flag National Team Trials", November 6, 2024, https://usafootball.com/news/2024/november/hall-of-famer-darrell-green-among-athletes-at-national-team-trials
2. Sports Reference LLC (Pro-Football-Reference.com), "Darrell Green", accessed November 2024, https://www.profootballreference.com/players/G/GreeDa20.htm
3. Pro Football Hall of Fame, "Darrell Green", n.d., https://www.profootballhof.com/players/darrell-green/
4. Washington Commanders, "Darrell Green No. 28 Officially Retired", October 20, 2024, https://www.commanders.com/news/darrell-green-no-28-retired