NFL, NFLPA Working to Allow Players to Compete in Flag Football During 2028 Olympics

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVAugust 20, 2024

Tom Weller/VOIGT/GettyImages

It seems like NFL players will be competing in flag football during the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

NFL executive vice president Jeff Miller told reporters Monday the NFL and the NFL Players Association are engaging in ongoing discussions about the best way to approach such an endeavor.

“The amount of enthusiasm that we’ve seen among our players or more broadly for flag football in ’28 … has been remarkable,” he said. “Conversations are continuing to go on with the [NFL] Players Association, with players themselves … but obviously the hope would be that players who want to participate in the Olympics and represent their country have that opportunity to do so. … It is something that we’re working on actively.”

High-profile players such as Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Jalen Hurts, Tyreek Hill and Caleb Williams have already expressed interest in participating in the Games, and many more will surely want to represent their country as the Olympics get closer.

“I really want to play for the Olympic flag football team,” Burrow said during an appearance on Pardon My Take. “Like me, Ja’marr (Chase), Justin (Jefferson). Me and my friends out there playing football. … I think it’d be really cool.”

The NFL even ran a commercial with Hurts throwing a flaming football over the cauldron at the top of the L.A. Coliseum advertising that football is coming to the Olympics.

While there is always injury risk, the next Summer Olympics will happen from July 14 to July 30 in 2028. That means teams won’t have to worry about players missing any regular-season games or even preseason contests if they do participate in the Games.

NFL players participating will surely generate more interest, but not everybody is thrilled with the idea.

“I think it’s disrespectful that they just automatically assume that they’re able to just join the Olympic team because of the person that they are—they didn’t help grow this game to get to the Olympics,” U.S. national flag team quarterback Darrell “Housh” Doucette said, per the Guardian. “Give the guys who helped this game get to where it’s at their respect.”

Doucette helped the United States win the 2021 world championship title and the title at the 2022 World Games. He also led the Red, White and Blue to the Americas Continental championship title as the tournament’s MVP in 2023.

Still, it will be difficult for any flag football player to beat out the likes of Mahomes, Hill and others if they are truly going to compete for spots on the roster.

First, though, the NFL and the NFLPA have to figure out an agreement that will allow the players to showcase their talent at the Olympics.