Flag football at 2028 Olympics could feature NFL stars if league gives the green light soon
The road to Olympic gold might soon lead through the gridiron—well, sort of. With flag football set to make its debut at the
2028 Summer Olympics
in Los Angeles, the
NFL
is inching closer to a groundbreaking decision that could allow its players to participate on the world stage.
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While it's still early, the momentum is building—and so is the intrigue.
NFL players might compete at the 2028 Olympics as decision on flag football participation looms
NFL insider Tom Pelissero recently revealed that league owners are preparing to vote on a resolution during next week's spring meeting in Minneapolis. If passed, the proposal would open the door for active NFL players to try out for Olympic flag football squads. However, the resolution comes with some carefully drawn boundaries. Participation would be limited to just one contracted player per NFL team, plus each club's designated international player.
The league's official statement reads: "The membership believes that participation by NFL Players in flag football during the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Calif. 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, and providing greater opportunities for fan engagement and for our League partners."
Clearly, the league sees this as more than just an Olympic opportunity—it's a marketing mission. And there's no doubt that showcasing NFL talent on a global stage could help flag football surge in popularity across untapped international markets.
But, of course, there are concerns. The NFL isn't about to let its multimillion-dollar stars hit the Olympic field without some safeguards in place. The resolution proposes injury protection, salary cap credits for teams affected by Olympic-related injuries, and agreements on medical staff standards and field conditions.
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It also requires that the Olympic flag football schedule not clash with NFL commitments—something that appears achievable given the Games run from July 14 to July 30, just ahead of training camps.
Still, the notion of letting elite athletes compete in a high-stakes tournament so close to the regular season is sparking plenty of debate. As ESPN's Adam Schefter noted, "A resolution about whether NFL players can participate in Olympic football will be under consideration at next week's league meeting in Minneapolis."
The Olympic stage could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for NFL players to represent their country in a sport they've mastered, albeit in a non-contact form. Whether owners will embrace that vision—or err on the side of caution—remains to be seen.
For now, all eyes are on Minneapolis. The NFL might just be on the verge of blending football with Olympic history—and giving fans around the world something truly special to cheer for.
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