The inaugural Fanatics Flag Football Classic in Los Angeles proved to be a humbling experience for Tom Brady, some current NFL stars and WWE wrestler Logan Paul.
The event, recently relocated from Saudi Arabia due to the war in Iran, had been promoted through a performative war of words between Paul and the game’s marquee name. Brady began earlier this month by referring to Paul’s WWE career as ‘cute’ and ‘scripted,’ to which the wrestler responded: ‘WWE can’t stop me from kicking your ass on that field.’
But the pre-game chatter between Brady and Paul may have distracted from the third squad in Saturday’s round-robin tournament, Team USA, which won the event without a single NFL player. The American national team began by demolishing Paul’s Wildcats, 39-14, and Brady’s Founders, 43-16, before beating the Wildcats again, 24-14, in the final.
For his part, Brady did show some flashes of his former brilliance.
To start the second game, the 48-year-old shook off a pass rusher and then found receiver Stefon Diggs in the back corner of the end zone for his first points of the day. Then Brady found his longtime Patriots and Buccaneers teammate Rob Gronkowski on the ensuing two-point conversion.
Tom Brady was in vintage form as he scored the first points of his flag football game
Tom Brady smirks at Logan Paul during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic held at BMO Stadium
Without any NFL stars, Team USA celebrates its victory at the Fanatics Flag Football Classic
Unfortunately for Gronkowski, that would be his last play of the day after pulling his hamstring on the catch.
Brady later enjoyed a light-hearted with Paul when he called his own version of the ‘Philly Special,’ catching a pass over the WWE star and jokingly flipping the ball into his chest after the ball.
And Paul had all he could handle on Saturday.
Not only did Team USA score on its opening drive against the Wildcats in the first game, but it was Paul who failed to make the ‘tackle’ for the Wildcats at the goal line. And he would make things worse by getting a penalty for ripping off a rival’s sunglasses and throwing them to the turf.
Next it was Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow’s turn to get embarrassed by Team USA.
After taking a pitch from teammate Jayden Daniels, Burrow fired a pass right back at the Commanders quarterback, only to surrender a pick-six on the play.
Gronkowski made one catch on a two-point conversion before exiting with a bad hamstring
Housh Doucette #7 of the US Men’s Flag Football Team celebrates after a touchdown
Playing without any NFL stars, Team USA would build a quick 32-14 lead by scoring on its first four possessions en route to a 39-14 win.
Team USA followed with a 43-16 win over Brady’s Founders, another team mostly comprised of NFL stars.
‘My heart is really hurting right now,’ Brady said between losses.
Playing with a familiar scowl and intensity that helped him become the greatest quarterback in NFL history, Brady had a few other highlights despite his team’s dismal performance.
It was clear NFL players and coaches were learning the game and the rules on the fly after holding just a couple practices before the 5-on-5 tournament.
They nearly had more penalties called against them than flags pulled. Team USA’s mastery of the sport, sophistication on offense and overall speed overwhelmed a group of players who barely practiced together.
Brady was penalized for tossing one of his flags to the ground because he couldn’t quickly insert it into place before taking a snap during a hurry-up situation.
Payton was angry an official told him it was third down on the sideline and then switched to fourth down before the snap.
With flag football set to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 LA Games, many NFL players have already said they would like an opportunity to play for gold.
Joe Burrow of the Wildcats FFC runs the ball during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic
Darrell ‘Housh’ Doucette III, Nico Casares and the USA squad aren´t about to give up their spots. Nor should they have to. They proved they´re the kings of flag football.
The event was originally scheduled to take place at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but was relocated to BMO Stadium in Los Angeles because of the Iran war.
Brady’s team also included Ashton Jeanty, Alvin Kamara, Antoine Winfield Jr., DeVonta Smith, Von Miller, Damar Hamlin, Patrick Peterson and boxer Terence Crawford.
Burrow’s team coached by Kyle Shanahan included Kyle Juszczyk, Odell Beckham Jr., Davante Adams, DeAndre Hopkins, Derwin James Jr., Luke Kuechly, Jalen Ramsey, entertainer and boxer Logan Paul and YouTuber IShowSpeed.
The American national team players have advocated on their behalf to represent the United States at the upcoming 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, where the sport will make its Olympic debut.
After handily beating a team full of NFL stars, it’s hard to not hear out their case.
Back in August of 2024, around the time of the Paris Olympics, flag football quarterback Darrell ‘Housh’ Doucette III claimed he was better than than Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
‘At the end of the day, I feel like I’m better than Patrick Mahomes because of my IQ of the game,’ he told TMZ.
Joe Burrow #9 of the Wildcats FFC and Housh Doucette #7 of the US Men’s Flag Football Team look on during the coin flip during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium
Shawn Theard Jr hugs Saquon Barkley after Team USA beat Wildcats FFC on Saturday
‘I know he’s right now the best in the [NFL]. I know he’s more accurate. I know he has all these intangibles. But when it comes to flag football, I feel like I know more than him.’
He added, ‘I’m not saying I’m a better player overall but until he steps on a 5v5 flag field, I’m going to feel that way until it’s proven otherwise! I’m a competitor and need to be proven wrong.’
After the games on Saturday, some NFL stars appeared to agree with that assessment. Green Bay Packers star Micah Parsons tweeted, ‘Team USA giving us belt [crying emojis] I guess they will be in the Olympics lol.’
The speed, skill and knowledge of the flag football players proved to be a difference maker in the exhibition game as NFL stars couldn’t get a grasp on the rules or nuances of the different style of play. The Wildcats, for instance, had multiple illegal contact penalties as a result.
One of the few highlights for the Wildcats was a one-handed catch by Beckham on a two-point conversion, which brought back memories of his famous grab as a rookie in 2014.
