How Darrell 'Housh' Doucette III became the face of flag football

Darrell “Housh” Doucette III’s first USA flag-football loss came on Aug. 14 at the sport’s last World Championship before it debuts as an Olympic event at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. In Düsseldorf, Germany, American Samoa—led by former Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa—upset the U.S. 38-32 in group play, snapping the U.S. men’s streak of world-title wins from 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021 and 2024. Doucette, 5-foot-7 and a national-team member since 2022, described it as his first defeat in international play. U.S. coach Jorge Cascudo praised Doucette for keeping the group together. The U.S. later won the final after beating Australia, Japan, Mexico and Italy, with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in attendance. USA Football will set LA rosters and decide if tackle pros are eligible.