Owners vote to allow NFL players to participate in flag football competition at 2028 LA Olympic Games
NFL owners voted on Tuesday to allow players in the league to participate in the flag football competition at the upcoming 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
The proposal said that no more than one player from each team could participate in the event – which is making its Olympic debut as a sport in the City of Angels – as well as providing support for those players involved, including injury protection and salary cap credit.
In order to pass any motion, there needs to be a 75% majority in favor of the rule change among NFL owners, with 24 out of 32 votes needed.
Since flag football was announced on the Olympic program, an increasing clamor has risen about letting NFL players take part.
NFL players have been seen competing in flag football events in recent years, with the Pro Bowl adding a flag football game to its schedule in 2023.
'The membership believes that participation by NFL players in flag football during the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California will support such growth and advance several league interests, including increasing fan and public interest in flag football, expanding the global reach of the NFL,' the proposal stated.
Flag football is a non-contact version of the traditional game. According to the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), it is played by more than 20 million people in more than 100 countries.
Instead of tackles, a player is stopped by removing one of the two flags attacked to the ball-carriers waist. Games are five-on-five, with no offensive or defensive lines, and teams able to field a 12-person squad to choose from.
Given the focus on speed and elusiveness to evade opposition trying to grab flags, NFL players such as Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson or Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley could make for valuable editions to Team USA's squad.
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