The sport of flag football is on the rise, and now it has its sights set on the biggest stage of all—the Olympics. With flag football set to make its debut in the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, NFL stars are expressing their excitement and interest in representing their country and pursuing Olympic gold.
Tyreek Hill, the speedy receiver for the Miami Dolphins, is no stranger to success on the football field. As a five-time All-Pro, eight-time Pro Bowl selection, and Super Bowl champion, Hill's skillset would be a valuable asset to Team USA in the flag football competition. Hill's enthusiasm for the sport's inclusion in the Olympics is shared by other NFL stars, including Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
During the Pro Bowl Games, which conclude with a seven-on-seven flag exhibition, fans and a national television audience will get a taste of what flag football with highly skilled NFL talent on the field could look like. Other players representing the AFC and NFC at the Pro Bowl Games include Tua Tagovailoa, Raheem Mostert, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Evan Engram.
Tagovailoa, the quarterback for the Dolphins, reminisces about his early experiences with flag football and eagerly awaits the announcement of the Team USA roster for the 2028 Games. Flag football is one of five sports added to the Olympic program for that year, and the NFL is open to working with various organizations, including the International Olympic Committee, to facilitate current and former players' participation.
The growth of flag football has been fueled in part by the NFL's efforts to promote the sport globally. The league has organized clinics, camps, and competitions while supporting the creation of college scholarships. The International NFL Flag Championships took place during the Pro Bowl Games, with youth teams from countries like Australia, Brazil, and Japan competing.
Eli Manning, the former New York Giants quarterback and coach of the NFC in Sunday's flag game, praises the NFL's impact on growing the game of flag football. He acknowledges that many young fans are introduced to the sport through flag football, and it has become a game of its own. Manning's brother, Peyton Manning, a Hall of Famer and coach of the AFC, shares the excitement for flag football and the prospect of playing in the Olympics.
Players like Hill and Mahomes have expressed their interest in competing for Team USA in the 2028 Games. The opportunity to showcase flag football on the Olympic stage is seen as a significant milestone that will not only grow the game further but also introduce it to new countries and potential talent.
While some players, like Amon-Ra St. Brown, may be undecided about their participation in the Olympics due to potential injury concerns, the consensus among NFL stars is that flag football's inclusion in the Games is an exciting development. The sport's non-contact nature and fast-paced action make it an appealing addition to the Olympic program.
As conversations around eligibility and the selection process for NFL players participating in the Olympics begin, both the NFL and its players eagerly anticipate the opportunity to represent their country and compete for Olympic gold in flag football.
The 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles will undoubtedly be a historic moment for flag football, as its global stature continues to rise with the backing and support of the NFL. With star players expressing their desire to be a part of Team USA, the future of flag football as an Olympic sport looks bright.
