Team USA Flag Football Names Coaching Staff: Peyton Manning Leads NFL Legends
Manning as head coach, Brees as offensive coordinator, and Sherman as defensive coordinator will lead the first U.S. Olympic flag football team in history.
LOS ANGELES, USA – With flag football making its Olympic debut at LA28, Team USA has assembled a star-studded coaching staff. Head coach: Peyton Manning. Offensive coordinator: Drew Brees. Defensive coordinator: Richard Sherman.
"I've won a Super Bowl. I've won MVPs. But coaching an Olympic team? That's a first," Manning said at the announcement. "And I couldn't be more excited."
THE ROSTER PROCESS
Selections for the 12-player roster (10 active, 2 alternates) begin in 2027. Early favorites include WR Tyreek Hill (top-end speed), CB Jalen Ramsey (coverage), and QB Patrick Mahomes — if he's available. The NFL has confirmed active players may participate, missing no more than two weeks of training camp.
THE SPORT
Flag football differs from tackle in several key ways: no contact, 5-on-5, 50-yard field, 20-minute games. "It's fast, strategic, and incredibly athletic," Sherman said. "NFL skills translate, but there's a learning curve."
THE COMPETITION
The United States is the heavy favorite. But Mexico, Canada, and Japan have strong flag football programs. "We're not taking anything for granted," Manning said. "Gold is earned, not given."
The flag football competition will be held at a temporary stadium in Exposition Park — next to the LA Memorial Coliseum where the Opening and Closing Ceremonies will take place.
Devin Mallonee
Devin Mallonee is a sports journalist and performance nutrition writer with over a decade of experience covering elite athletics, Olympic competitions, and the science of human performance. Devin Mallonee has followed competitive sports from the grassroots level all the way to the world stage, developing a deep understanding of what separates good athletes from great ones — and the role nutrition plays in that equation.
As the lead sports editor at Dad's Sports News, Devin Mallonee brings an athlete's perspective to every story. Having competed in endurance sports and strength training throughout his life, Devin Mallonee understands firsthand what it takes to push past physical limits — and how proper supplementation and recovery make that possible. His writing blends technical analysis with accessible storytelling, making complex topics in sports science engaging for everyday readers and serious competitors alike.
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