Robert Griffin III named to 2026 Team USA flag football roster
Sometimes worlds collide.
Flags in football are typically seen as a nuisance that is a source of constant controversy. In flag football, they are a necessary accessory attached to each player's hip.
The 2028 Summer Olympics will see the introduction of flag football as an event for the first time, but it remains to be seen who will get the nod for Team USA. The Fanatics Flag Football Classic gave fans a glimpse into the sport when NFL players and flag football professionals clashed on the miniature gridiron.
OPINION: Team USA flag football sends clear message to NFL players about Olympics
It was the flag football stars who got the better of the tackle football pros in that event, but there remains plenty of interest from all parties to secure a spot for the upcoming Olympic Games.
One of those interested players is Robert Griffin III, who announced on social media on March 21 that he would be joining the quest for gold.
Proud and Honored to announce that I will be going for Gold in Flag Football with the USA National Team in 2028. The journey starts now and there is no greater honor than wearing USA across your chest and representing something more than yourself. USA! USA! USA! pic.twitter.com/TWJocbBbnG
- Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) March 22, 2026
The former quarterback last played in 2020 for the Baltimore Ravens, his seventh and final season in the NFL. In the years since, he has worked for ESPN and Fox Sports as an NFL and college football analyst.
On March 26, Griffin was revealed to be one of the 24 players on Team USA's men's flag football roster. Griffin and the other 23 will attend training camp with the hopes of securing a spot on the 12-man roster for the 2026 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Flag Football World Championship in Dusseldorf, Germany.
God's plan
- Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) March 26, 2026
The work is just getting started.
Excited to work with my new teammates USA! USA! USA! pic.twitter.com/X9BHwTwLGW
Whether or not this gives the former NFL star an inside track to landing a spot on the Olympic roster is unclear, but it's certainly a head start.
Here's a look at the full roster.
2026 U.S. Men's National Team RosterName; Position; Residence
- Noah Bickley; WR/Rush; Wylie, Texas+
- Daniel Blair; Rush/Ath; Kansas City, Missouri
- Aamir Brown; DB/WR; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania*
- Velton Brown Jr.; WR/DB; Orlando, Florida*
- Isaiah Calhoun; DB/WR; Plano, Texas*
- Nico Casares; QB; Miami, Florida*
- Jorge Cascudo; WR/LB; Miami, Florida
- Antonio Coleman; QB/Ath; Prince George's County, Maryland+
- Mike Daniels; DB/WR; Miami, Florida*
- Tyler Davis; WR/DB; Austin, Texas*
- Laval Davis; Rush/WR; Jacksonville, Florida*
- Darrell Housh" Doucette III; QB/Ath; New Orleans, Louisiana*
- Robert Griffin III; QB; Spring, Texas
- Johnluis Lulu" Hernandez; C/DB; Miami, Florida+
- Ja'Deion High; WR/DB; Lubbock, Texas*
- Lennox Howard; WR/DB; Miami, Florida+
- Jamie Kennedy; DB/WR; Jacksonville, Florida*
- Justin McMullen; DB/C; Miami, Florida
- Jordan Oquendo; LB/WR; Spring Hill, Florida
- Andre Powell; Rush/WR; Royal Palm, Florida
- David Bobo" Price; QB/LB; Callahan, Florida
- Laderrick Pablo" Smith; Ath; Pompano Beach, Florida*
- D'ionte Boo" Smith; WR/DB; Kansas City, Missouri
- Shawn Theard Jr.; WR/Rush; New Orleans, Louisiana*
*Indicates 2025 U.S. National Team Member
+Indicates 2025 U.S. National Team Alternate
2026 U.S. Men's National Team coaching staff- Head Coach: Jorge Cascudo; Miami, Florida
- Assistant Coach: Willy Perez; Baldwin City, Kansas
- Assistant Coach: Rudy Fernandez; Las Vegas, Nevada
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Team USA Flag Football announces RG3 will join roster