Latest news with #Doucette
Global News
08-08-2025
- Global News
Video appears to show joyride through Vancouver streets, police investigating
Vancouver police officers are reminding everyone not to leave their vehicles unattended and running, even if it is just for a quick errand. On Monday, Aug. 4, police said a vehicle owner parked near Abbott and West Pender streets and left the car running with the keys inside. Const. Jason Doucette said that was just enough time for a woman to come along and drive off in the car. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'It wasn't until about 10 o'clock that night we received another phone call from a concerned citizen near 63rd and Ontario Street about a vehicle running unoccupied in front of their house for the past two hours,' he said. 'Vancouver police went there and indeed it was the same car that was stolen earlier in the day, at West Pender and Abbott.' Story continues below advertisement Doucette said this is a good reminder for drivers to always secure their vehicle. 'It does sound like the vehicle was driven throughout the city for a period of time, because there's a lot of time between early morning and say, eight o'clock at night where that person would have been driving around,' he said. Video posted online by Instagram user @michaelpaularesta shows the car swerving around traffic, running red lights and travelling in oncoming lanes. Doucette said a person of interest has been identified in the case and the investigation into what happened is ongoing.
Global News
01-07-2025
- Health
- Global News
New Brunswick cancer patient depleted savings to travel for clinical trial in Toronto
A Shediac, N.B., woman says she's running out of money to continue travelling to Toronto to take part in a clinical trial treatment for her stage 3 ovarian cancer. But despite seeing encouraging results, the province says she doesn't qualify for a program that helps pay for food and lodging for out-of-province cancer treatment. 'It's frustrating because I know that the program is out there and I know it's there to help people like myself that are in that situation,' said Kim Doucette. 'But it doesn't talk about all these parameters that you kind of have to fit in to be able to get it.' Doucette has been travelling to Toronto's Princess Margaret Cancer Centre since February to receive chemotherapy as part of the clinical trial. She was referred there after her treatment in New Brunswick didn't go as well as hoped, and she was given up to 18 months to live. Story continues below advertisement 'I just three days ago had my last CT results and my cancer is down about 45 per cent in my body. So it's working right now, so it's very positive,' she said. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Her travel and lodging expenses have added up quickly, amounting to about $3,500 a month. Her rent alone is $2,400 per month, and that's at a 50 per cent discount. 'It becomes a lot, of course, because you're like paying for two homes,' she said. 'I'm trying to save my life and I am trying to get home and I have had lots of support from family and friends.' While she receives a discounted rate on her apartment in Toronto through a charity, a hospital social worker told her that her family's income is too high to qualify for help from several other charities. Doucette says she was floored when her application for the provincial program was denied back in April. 'It's heartbreaking because I'm doing the best I can to save my life, and that's why I'm here,' she said. 'I definitely think there should be more support for me because it is working. And so that's what I'm here to fight for.' In a statement to Global News, the Department of Health said New Brunswickers who receive out-of-province services covered by Medicare, and who require lodging, may be reimbursed. Story continues below advertisement 'Services generally accepted within New Brunswick as experimental or that are provided as applied research are not covered by Medicare,' the statement said. A provincial spokersperson said that any medical care a patient would require not related to the trial would be covered by Medicare through an interprovincial agreement. Doucette's treatment is being paid for by GSK Pharmaceuticals, the company conducting the trial. She says her savings are now almost completely depleted, and she's calling on the province to change its policy. 'It's weighing heavy on me and my husband, you know, he's the one that does everything for our family,' she said. 'So, it's a lot.'
Los Angeles Times
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
The Sports Report: Shohei Ohtani's return to pitching remains a gradual process
From Jack Harris: For so long, the biggest question surrounding Shohei Ohtani's future as a pitcher was simple. When, after a second career Tommy John surgery, would he finally get back on the mound? When, after a year and a half of exclusively hitting, would he be able to resume two-way duties? Over the last week, that answer finally arrived. Twice in seven days, Ohtani climbed the bump as the Dodgers' starter, throwing one inning in each outing in his long-awaited return to pitching. Both times, he left his teammates and coaches in astonished amazement, giving them their first up-close glimpse of his dual-role skill set. 'I've seen [him throw] bullpens and lives and simulated games, or whatever,' manager Dave Roberts said Sunday. 'But to kind of watch it in real time, to go from the mound to the on-deck circle and then go to the batter's box, it's pretty remarkable. And he's just handling it the right way. He's just unflappable.' What comes next, however, remains shrouded in some uncertainty. Now that Ohtani is again pitching in live-game action, new questions are lingering about where his buildup will go from here. 'It's going to be a gradual process,' Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton on Sunday. 'I want to see improvements with the quality of the pitches that I'm throwing, and then also increasing the amount of pitches. So it's going to be gradual.' Continue reading here Zach Neto hit a leadoff homer and rookie Christian Moore had a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in a four-run eighth inning that sent the Angels to a 9-5 win over the Boston Red Sox on Monday night. LaMonte Wade Jr. opened the eighth with a single off reliever Garret Whitlock (5-1). Wade stole second and went to third when catcher Connor Wong's throw bounced into center field for an error. Luis Rengifo walked, and Moore hit a sacrifice fly for a 6-5 lead. A single by Neto, who had three hits, and an intentional walk to Mike Trout loaded the bases with two outs. Taylor Ward walked to force in a run, and Travis d'Arnaud's two-run single made it 9-5. Continue reading here Angels box score MLB scores MLB standings From Thuc Nhi Nguyen: Darrell Doucette didn't mean any disrespect. All the U.S. flag football star wanted to do in an interview that went more viral than any of his numerous highlights was to fight for his sport. So when he told TMZ in 2024 that he is 'better than Patrick Mahomes' at flag football for his IQ of the sport, the generally soft-spoken Doucette wasn't trying to issue any challenges. Watch the two-time world champion throw touchdowns, catch them, snap the ball and play defense all in the same game and it's clear he prefers to let his game speak. 'It wasn't about me vs. them,' said Doucette, who is known in the flag football world by his nickname 'Housh.' 'It was about flag football, putting eyes on this game.' With preparations ramping up for the 2028 Olympics, flag football just wants its respect. Continue reading here From Anthony De Leon: Well before fans stream into Arena for the Sparks' rematch against the Phoenix Mercury, Sarah Ashlee Barker is on the court two and a half hours early. The first out of the tunnel, as she's been all season, she fires off jump shots with a stone-faced expression. Thrown unexpectedly into a starting role as a rookie, Barker's rise in the WNBA has outpaced even her own expectations. Amid a season riddled with injuries, the Sparks have leaned on their first-round pick. On this day, Barker was trying to adjust to a new role coming off the bench after forcing some plays that hindered the team's success. Life for a rookie in the WNBA demands adaptability. An uncommon sight across the league, the Sparks kept all three of their recent draft picks on the roster. They are former college standouts who earned conference honors, with one winning a national championship. But they face far greater physicality, speed and overall grit in the WNBA. Continue reading here From Jad El Reda: Raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement have sparked fear, protests and the cancellation of several public events throughout the Los Angeles area. Amid the tense climate, more than 100 people recently gathered at the Maywood Boxing Club to watch Julio César Chávez Jr. train as he prepares to face Jake Paul on June 28 at the Honda Center in Anaheim. Chávez, visibly surprised by the turnout, confessed that he did not expect to see so many people given the circumstances. 'I thought there wouldn't be people here, because of everything happening, but I'm glad they made the time to come,' the Mexican boxing star told L.A. Times en Español moments before beginning his training session. While they were drawn to the chance to watch a boxing star train, the event also united a community and showed its resilience in the face of adversity. The last few weeks have been particularly difficult in Los Angeles. Testimonials and videos on social media have documented arrests of immigrants in the middle of public streets, generating a generalized state of fear. Chávez, who has lived in the city for more than a decade, reflected on the impact of the raids. 'It even scared me, to tell you the truth, it is very ugly,' he said. 'I don't understand the situation, why so much violence. There are many good people and you are setting an example of violence to the community.' Continue reading here From John Cherwa: D. Wayne Lukas, 89, who has been a staple in horse racing since 1968 when he was training quarter horses at Los Alamitos, is leaving the game after contracting a potentially life-ending illness. In a note to owners and friends on Sunday, Lukas Enterprises announced: 'We regret to inform you that D. Wayne Lukas will not be returning to racing. A severe MRSA blood infection has caused significant damage to his heart, digestive system, and worsened pre-existing chronic conditions. The doctors proposed an aggressive treatment plan, involving multiple surgeries and procedures over several months. Even with the best-case scenario, Wayne would require 24/7 assistance to manage daily activities.' The note goes on to say that Lukas declined the aggressive treatment plan and would 'return home to spend his remaining time with his wife, Laurie, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.' Continue reading here The Ducks traded Trevor Zegras to the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday, ending the exciting forward's inconsistent half-decade in Orange County. The Ducks get forward Ryan Poehling and the 45th overall pick in the upcoming draft that initially belonged to Columbus, along with a fourth-round pick next season. Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said he dealt away the Ducks' charismatic former leading scorer in part because Zegras no longer fit the Ducks' roster as they attempt to end their seven-year playoff drought. Continue reading here 1910 — James Braid wins his fifth British Open with a four-stroke victory over Sandy Herd. 1911 — John McDermott becomes the first American-born winner of the U.S. Open when he beats Michael Brady and George Simpson in a playoff. McDermott finishes two strokes better than Brady and five strokes better than Simpson. 1913 — John Henry Taylor wins his fifth and final British Open Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Club at Hoylake, England. 1922 — American Professional Football Association renamed the National Football League. 1922 — Charter NFL club Chicago Staleys renamed Chicago Bears by team founder, owner and head coach George Halas. 1928 — John Farrell beats Bobby Jones by one stroke in a 36-hole playoff to win the U.S. Open. 1947 — Jim Ferrier wins the PGA championship by defeating Chick Harbert 2 and 1 in the final round. 1958 — Brazil, led by 17-year-old Pele, beats France 5-2 in a semifinal of the World Cup. With Brazil up 2-1 in the second half, Pele scores three consecutive goals. 1968 — Joe Frazier stops Mexican challenger Manuel Ramos in 2nd round TKO at NYC's Madison Square Garden in his first heavyweight boxing title defense. 1968 — Canada's Sandra Post beats Kathy Whitworth by seven strokes in a playoff to become the first non-U.S. player and rookie to win the LPGA championship. 1980 — The Atlanta Flames relocate to Calgary, Alberta. The NHL team keeps the name 'Flames.' 1990 — Criminal Type becomes the first horse to win consecutive $1 million races after capturing the Hollywood Gold Cup. He had previously won the $1 million Pimlico Special on May 12. 1991 — The NHL's Board of Governors adopts instant replay. 1992 — NBA Draft: LSU center Shaquille O'Neal first pick by Orlando Magic. 1995 — Stanley Cup Final, Meadowlands Arena, East Rutherford, NJ: New Jersey Devils beat Detroit Red Wings, 5-2 for a 4-0 series sweep; Devils' first Stanley Cup finals appearance. 1998 — NBA Draft: Pacific center Michael Olowokandi first pick by the Clippers. 2000 — Rick DiPietro is the first goalie drafted No. 1 when the New York Islanders select the 18-year-old star from Boston University at the NHL Draft. 2001 — Karrie Webb, 26, captures the LPGA Championship by two strokes to become the youngest woman to complete the Grand Slam. 2004 — NBA Draft: Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy power forward Dwight Howard first pick by Orlando Magic. 2010 — John Isner outlasts Nicolas Mahut in the longest match in tennis history. Isner hits a backhand winner to win the last of the match's 980 points, and takes the fifth set against Mahut 70-68. The first-round match took 11 hours, 5 minutes over three days, lasting so long it was suspended because of darkness — two nights in a row. Play resumed at 59-all and continued for more than an hour before Isner won 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (3), 70-68. 2010 — John Wall is selected as the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft by the Washington Wizards, and a record number of Kentucky teammates follow him. Four more Wildcats are among the top 30 selections, making them the first school ever to put five players in the first round. 2011 — NHL Draft: Red Deer Rebels (WHL) center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins first pick by Edmonton Oilers. 2013 — Bryan Bickell and Dave Bolland score 17 seconds apart in the final 1:16 of the third period and the Chicago Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup with a stunning 3-2 comeback victory in Game 6 over the Boston Bruins. 2016 — NHL Draft: ZSC Lions (NLA) center Auston Matthews first pick by Toronto Maple Leafs. 2018 — Harry Kane scores a hat trick to propel England to its most emphatic World Cup victory and into the knockout stage. With John Stones heading in twice and Jesse Lingard curling in a shot, England beats Panama 6-1 and scores its most goals ever in a World Cup game. 2022 — American Katie Ledecky wins the 800m gold medal in 8:08.04 at the World Swimming Championships in Budapest; completes 400/800/1500m treble for unprecedented 4th time at a single worlds. 2024 — The Florida Panthers win their first title in franchise history defeating the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 in Game 7. MVP: Connor McDavid (Oilers C). 1936 — Rookie Joe DiMaggio hit two homers in the fifth inning and added two doubles in the New York Yankees' 18-4 victory over the St. Louis Browns. 1950 — Wes Westrum of the New York Giants hit three home runs and a triple in a 12-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. 1955 — Harmon Killebrew hit his first major league homer, off Billy Hoeft at Griffith Stadium, but the Detroit Tigers beat the Washington Senators 18-7. 1962 — Jack Reed, a substitute outfielder, hit a homer off Phil Regan in the 22nd inning to give the New York Yankees a 9-7 win over the Detroit Tigers in a game that lasted 7 hours, 22 minutes. It was the only homer Reed hit in the majors. 1968 — Jim Northrup tied a major league record by hitting two grand slams in one game as the Detroit Tigers beat the Cleveland Indians 14-3. 1983 — Don Sutton of the Milwaukee Brewers became the eighth pitcher in major league history to strike out 3,000 batters. Sutton's 3,000th victim was Cleveland's Alan Bannister in a 3-2 win over the Indians. 1984 — Oakland's Joe Morgan hit his 265th home run as a second baseman, breaking Roger Hornsby's career home run record for that position. Morgan's homer off Frank Tanana was the 267th of his career and led the A's to a 4-2 win over Texas. 1993 — Carlton Fisk of the White Sox, plays his 2,226th and final major league game, surpassing Bob Boone's record of 2,225 for most games caught. 1993 — The Marlins obtain OF Gary Sheffield and P Rich Rodriguez from the Padres for P Trevor Hoffman, Andres Berumen and Jose Martinez. The Fish will give Sheffield a four-year contract extension in September. 1994 — Jeff Bagwell hit three homers, two in one inning to tie a major league record, as the Houston Astros beat the Dodgers 16-4. 1997 — Randy Johnson of the Seattle Mariners struck out 19 batters — one short of Roger Clemens' major league record for a nine-inning game. He became the first AL left-hander to fan 19, but the Oakland Athletics won 4-1. 2002 — Both starters in the first game of the Angels-Texas doubleheader — Joaquin Benoit and Aaron Sele — threw 96 pitches, 53 strikes and 43 balls. Benoit and the Rangers won 8-5. 2003 — Brad Wilkerson hit for the cycle, going 4-for-4 with four RBIs, in Montreal's 6-4 win over Pittsburgh. It was the first cycle in the majors this season and was performed in sequence — single, double, triple and homer. 2014 — Brothers B.J. and Justin Upton tied the major league record for brothers homering in the same game as teammates, accomplishing the feat for the fourth time, in Atlanta's 3-2 win over Houston. Other brothers who had homered in the same game four times were Jeremy and Jason Giambi for the Oakland A's and Vladimir and Wilton Guerrero for the Montreal Expos. 2015 — Pavin Smith homered and drove in three runs and Brandon Waddell turned in another strong College World Series pitching performance, leading Virginia over Vanderbilt 4-2 for the school's first baseball national championship. 2017 — Three Oakland A's players, Matt Olson, Jaycob Brugmand and Franklin Baretto, hit their first career home run in a 10-2 win over the White Sox. 2019 — The Yankees tie a record belonging to the 2002 Rangers by homering in their 27th straight game on their way to defeating the Blue Jays. 2018 — The Dodgers set a National League record with seven solo home runs in an 8-7 win over the Mets. 2021 — The Chicago Cubs throw the first combined no-hitter in franchise history beating the Dodgers 4-0. It was the seventh no-hitter of the season. Compiled by the Associated Press That concludes today's newsletter. If you have any feedback, ideas for improvement or things you'd like to see, email me at To get this newsletter in your inbox, click here.
Los Angeles Times
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
U.S. flag football players want to end the ‘us vs. them' narrative with NFL
Darrell Doucette didn't mean any disrespect. All the U.S. flag football star wanted to do in an interview that went more viral than any of his numerous highlights was to fight for his sport. So when he told TMZ in 2024 that he is 'better than Patrick Mahomes' at flag football for his IQ of the sport, the generally soft-spoken Doucette wasn't trying to issue any challenges. Watch the two-time world champion throw touchdowns, catch them, snap the ball and play defense all in the same game and it's clear he prefers to let his game speak. 'It wasn't about me vs. them,' said Doucette, who is known in the flag football world by his nickname 'Housh.' 'It was about flag football, putting eyes on this game.' With preparations ramping up for the 2028 Olympics, flag football just wants its respect. Respect for the sport that is no longer just a child's stepping stone to tackle football. Respect for its established players who have already won every tournament there is and have eyes for more. 'It's not your mom's flag football anymore,' said Callie Brownson, USA Football's senior director of high performance and national team operations. Flag football has graduated out of backyards and into the Olympics, where the sport will debut in L.A. More than 750 athletes from 10 countries from the youth level to senior national teams gathered at Dignity Health Sports Park last weekend to preview the Olympic future at USA Football's Summer Series, where the U.S. men's and women's national teams played friendlies against Canada, Australia, Germany and Japan. The sport's growth domestically and internationally came in part through major investment from the NFL, and the league could play a major role in the Olympics: NFL players are allowed to participate in Olympic competition. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen was among the NFL stars who immediately took notice as the NFL most valuable player said he would 'absolutely love' to play if given the opportunity. Doucette loved hearing the conversation. The New Orleans native grew up playing the sport when seemingly no one else bothered to care. To hear NFL players taking an interest now? It feels like all he ever wanted. 'We're welcoming those guys,' Doucette said. 'We don't have no issue with it. We just want a fair opportunity. We want those guys to come out and learn because there's things that we're going to need to teach them ... and there's things that they can teach us. They can teach us how to run routes and how to cover and do other different things. So it's not us vs. them or them vs. us. It's us together as one teaching each other.' Olympic flag football is played with five players per side on a 50-by-25-yard field. Teams have four downs to reach midfield and four more to score from inside midfield. The basic tenants of offensive football remain the same from its tackle counterpart: throw, catch, run. But players don't juke the same way their tackle counterparts can, wide receiver Ja'Deion High said. When the former Texas Tech receiver was learning the sport, he was stunned when defenders still pulled his flag after what he believed were his best moves. He had to learn flag football's unique hip dips and flips to keep his flags away from defenders. The adjustment on defense could be even more difficult. Defenders cannot hinder an opposing player's forward progress. The NFL's most mundane hand-check would draw a penalty in flag football. 'The athletic ability [of an NFL player], I'm not questioning,' said defensive back Mike Daniels, a former cornerback at West Virginia. 'But the IQ aspect, the speed of the game is completely different.' USA Football, the governing body of U.S. flag football responsible for selecting the national team, has not outlined how NFL players will fit into the tryout process for the 2028 Olympic cycle. But with the Games scheduled for July 14-July 30, the one-week flag competition could overlap with the beginning of NFL training camps. Even preparations to learn the new sport and practice its unique schemes would take valuable offseason time away from NFL players. Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley was ready to burst into patriotic song at the mention of representing the United States in the Olympics, but when reminded that he might have to miss part of training camp for it, he backed off immediately. He spoke directly into a video camera to assure Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh that the job that pays him $5.4 million on a four-year rookie contract is all he needs. USA Football has remained in contact with the NFL about how to integrate professionals, said Brownson, who worked for the Cleveland Browns for five seasons, including three as the assistant wide receivers coach. With the Games still three years away, USA Football is focused on keeping doors open to all prospects and offering educational opportunities for potential players to become familiar with flag football. 'The cool thing about our process is when you come out to trials, there is no name on the back of your jersey,' Brownson said. 'You get a number and you have the same opportunity to try out as the person next to you. ... We'll just be excited to have the best team that we could but I always do and will always stand up for who we currently field. 'They're the best flag football players in the world, both men and women, and they deserve their flowers, too.' The U.S. men's national team is the five-time defending International Federation of American Football (IFAF) world champions. Since Doucette made his national team debut in 2020, the U.S. men are undefeated in international tournaments with gold medals at two world championships (2021, 2024), the 2022 World Games and the 2023 continental championship. Led by quarterback Vanita Krouch, the women's team is 33-1 in the last six years. The U.S. women have won three consecutive IFAF world championships and the 2023 continental title while finishing second at the 2022 World Games. Krouch has become an international flag football star after a four-year basketball career at Southern Methodist. Examining talent transfers from other sports has helped strengthen the USA Football athlete pipeline as the organization researches the best qualities for flag football. Baseball and softball players who can whip passes from odd arm angles can thrive in a game that features multiple quarterbacks. The U.S. national teams have former basketball, soccer and track and field stars. The sport values agility and elusiveness. While the NFL's 40-yard dash is the premier test for speed, it may be less valuable in flag football, Brownson said. The perfect flag football player combines that straight-line speed with quickness. 'There's such an art and a craft and a different style of dance that we do,' Krouch said. 'I say tackle football is like hip hop, krump dancing. ... We ballet dance. It's finesse, it's clean, it's creative.' The quarterback served as an offensive coordinator in the 2023 NFL Pro Bowl, the first version of the All-Star game to feature a flag football format. Leading the NFC team to victory, Krouch loved sharing flag football's unique route combinations. She noticed how the NFL's best showed their respect for her sport by enthusiastically learning the different nuances. The Pro Bowl experience was one of many surreal moments for Krouch in her nearly two-decade career of playing flag football. From playing in a local league, the 44-year-old has become a multi-time gold medalist. She never thought this sport she sometimes teaches in her elementary physical education classes could become this big. The announcement that flag football would officially debut in the 2028 Olympics brought it to even greater heights. No question Krouch wants to play in the Games. But the competition at tryouts every year gets 10 times harder, two-time national team member Ashlea Klam said. The 19-year-old plays flag football on a scholarship for NAIA-level Keiser University and recognizes no one is guaranteed a spot each year as the talent pool grows. It will be even more difficult to make the 10-person Olympic roster. As each year's tryouts get more competitive, Doucette sees his hope for the sport coming true. He knows the better prospects are a sign that more people are paying attention to flag football. If in three years at BMO Stadium, the eyes are fixated on another quarterback leading the United States at the Olympics, Doucette will consider that still mission accomplished. 'No matter if I'm a part of the team or not, I will still be around the game,' Doucette said. 'That's my goal is still to be there, in general, no matter if I'm playing or watching.'
San Francisco Chronicle
20-06-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
USA Football's 'Summer Series' in Los Angeles showcases flag football ahead of the 2028 Olympics
Being in Los Angeles this weekend, practicing and playing in flag football games, and mentoring younger players, makes it all seem that much more real for quarterback Darrell 'Housh' Doucette. Just three summers from now, his sport will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 LA Games. What the final roster will look like, how many NFL players may be on it, is still being sorted out. This weekend in LA is simply another chance to showcase flag football. Approximately 900 players from nine countries are taking part in USA Football's 'Summer Series.' No active-roster NFL players are slated to take the field. But that could change down the road after league owners unanimously gave permission in May for players to participate in flag football. 'It's gaining traction,' the 35-year-old Doucette said of his sport, which is currently already part of the NFL's Pro Bowl festivities. 'It's being talked about on ESPN, the NFL Network. The NFL is putting (resources) behind it. It's an exciting, fun, fast game.' The teams of tomorrow The fields at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles will host tournaments and showcases for players of all ages. The men's and women's national teams also play in a series of friendly international matches throughout the weekend. On top of that, federations will engage in an international high-performance summit. Basically, it's an exchange of ideas and methodologies to grow the game around the world. The U.S. men and women are both No. 1 in the world, according to the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) rankings. 'There's sort of a sports diplomacy going on,' said Scott Hallenbeck, the CEO of USA Football. 'There's just lots of elements that I think speak really well to the growth of the sport within the Olympic movement and what's expected within the Olympic movement and the opportunity to all learn from each other as quickly as possible. 'It's only three years to the Olympics. ... We all have to go as fast as we can." Fine-tuning This is also a chance for the national teams to fine-tune before international competitions. The U.S. squads will compete in September at the IFAF Americas Continental Flag Football Championship in Panama. The women's team also will play at the World Games in Chengdu, China, in August. 'The friendlies are more about just seeing where your team is currently at,' Doucette said. 'We are the top dogs, but we can't go out and treat it that way. We have to keep our foot on the pedal with every game we play.' Doucette still hopes to be the signal caller for Team USA when the LA Olympics roll around. Sure, he will be 38 at the time, but, hey, Tom Brady was winning Super Bowls beyond that age. Lately, Doucette has drawn some headlines for his stance on NFL players contending for roster spots. His take remains simple — beat them out and welcome to the team. 'We all are family together. We don't treat each other differently. We all compete and we want the gold medal,' Doucette said. 'So if those (NFL) guys come out and try out, they make the team, congrats to them — they're one of us." The rules The games this weekend will be played following the IFAF's 5-on-5 rules. It's the same version fans will see in LA in 2028. The field is smaller than an NFL field by about half: 50 yards long — along with 10 yards for each end zone — and 25 yards wide. A stop is made by ripping off one of the flags attached by a belt to a ball carrier's waist. An offensive touchdown is worth six points with the subsequent extra-point attempt varying in value. Soaring popularity There was a time not too long ago when receiver/center/defensive back Ashlea Klam had to explain the sport she plays. Not anymore. Not after flag football was added to the LA Olympics program, along with cricket, baseball-softball, lacrosse and squash, in October 2023. With the NFL on board, the visibility has only skyrocketed. Klam plays at Keiser University in Florida, which is one of numerous NAIA schools that now have programs. Being in LA this weekend, it's hard for Klam not to think about LA 2028. 'I always think about LA 2028,' said Klam, who bypassed scholarship offers in track and field to concentrate on flag football. 'I still feel like I'm celebrating, just knowing that it's in the Olympics for real.' The action Among the events this weekend: — The Select Bowl. This is a chance for U.S. national team coaches to scout and identify rising stars in the sport. — The Junior International Cup. The 15- and 17-under boys' and girls' teams will take part in a tournament featuring squads from around the globe. — International Bowl. This will be a chance to see some of the top players in a series of international friendlies. Australia, Canada, Germany and Japan are also on hand. 'It's incredibly exciting to see the passion and enthusiasm around the sport," Hallenbeck said. 'The more traditional tackle fan or football fan is now starting to really understand what 5-on-5 flag football is and what a great addition to overall football fandom it can be."
