No. 1 quarterback in the United States! Rondo has a new identity + play in the Olympics

When Rajon Rondo officially announced his retirement from the NBA in April last year, many fans thought the legendary point guard's athlete career was over. However, in just one year, the 39-year-old veteran made a name for himself in another field - the No. 1 flag football quarterback in the United States.

What is even more surprising is that Rondo is expected to represent the United States at the age of 42 to participate in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, completing an amazing transformation from an NBA championship to an Olympian.

Rondo's success in the field of flag football was no accident. He was a quarterback on the school football team in high school, and later chose to focus on basketball development.

Now, 39-year-old Rondo has regained his old career, not only ranked first in the U.S. flag football quarterback ranking, but also performed well as a cornerback on the defensive end, showing amazing comprehensiveness.

Flag football is different from traditional American football. It prohibits direct physical contact and pushing, and is a "non-collision" sport. Defensive players need to pull out the flag belt from the offensive player's belt to be considered effective blocking.

Rondo has long had a connection with the Olympics. He was selected for the 2008 and 2010 US Men's Basketball Team Training List, but he has never represented the US team in the official FIBA ​​event.

Now, with flag football becoming a new addition to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Rondo unexpectedly got the opportunity to participate in the Olympics in another capacity.

By the 2028 Olympics, Rondo will be at least 42 years old. Faced with the age problem, he easily said: "Here, you only need to think more than your opponent, not run more."

Rondo's achievements in the NBA are enough to ensure that he becomes a legend in basketball history. In his 16-year career, he has played for 9 teams, including the Celtics, the Lakers, the Mavericks, etc.

His career average of 9.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 7.9 assists and 1.6 steals, and his performance in the playoffs was even better - he averaged 12.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 8.5 assists and 1.7 steals.

Rondo's honors include two NBA championships (2008 Celtics, 2020 Lakers), three assists, one steal, four All-Stars and four All-Defensive Team.

Rondo is most praised for his basketball IQ. He even asked the NBA League to modify the rules - to issue the "Rondo clause", which stipulates that players must attend 70% of the games before they can select major honors.

The change in this rule originated from Rondo's only played 38 games due to injury but won the assist king, which triggered a rethinking of the criteria for awards. After retiring, many people look forward to Rondo becoming a coach. He served as a visiting Bucks coach in 2024, and Rivers praised him as "the smartest player ever coached."

Rondo's total NBA career revenue reached US$116 million, enough to make him worry-free. After retiring, he returned to the University of Kentucky to complete his studies and obtained a bachelor's degree in communication in May 2025, fulfilling his wish.

Rondo is also a master of chess. In the chess game held in the NBA this summer, he scored 2 wins and 1 loss, tied for second place.

From the NBA championship to the No. 1 flag football quarterback in the United States, Rondo's transformation path is amazing. The 39-year-old veteran proves that real athletes will never stop competing.

At the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, we are expected to witness the Olympic dream of a 42-year-old veteran - not as a basketball player, but as a flag football player. This will be the best interpretation of the saying "Excellent people will be excellent wherever they go."

Rondo's story is far from over, it is continuing to write in a way that no one can predict.