Several NFL players have shown interest in representing the U.S. flag football team if the sport is included in the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, according to an NFL executive who spoke to Reuters.
LA28 organizers have formally requested the addition of flag football for both men’s and women’s competitions, along with four other sports, to the event. The final approval of the program is expected when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) convenes later this month in Mumbai.
Flag football’s potential inclusion in the Olympics, supported by the NFL and led by the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), could pave the way for some of the NFL’s top players to compete for a gold medal. However, the specific details of how this would work have yet to be finalized.
NFL Executive Vice President Peter O’Reilly stated in a recent interview, “Certainly there are more discussions to be had around that possibility. But I will tell you that through this process a number of great young stars of the league have said how great it would be to represent their country and play flag.”
Tyreek Hill, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection currently playing as a wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins, encouraged NFL players to seize the opportunity to compete for an all-but-guaranteed gold medal for Team USA.
Flag football made its debut at the World Games held in Birmingham, Alabama last year, where the U.S. men’s team won gold by defeating Italy. On the women’s side, Mexico triumphed over the U.S. in the final, largely thanks to the standout performance of quarterback Diana Flores, who was named MVP.
One of the appeals of flag football is its affordability and accessibility, making it a sport that nearly anyone can play. By promoting the sport’s inclusion in the Olympics, the NFL aims to raise the profile of American football on the international stage.
“We could not be more committed to flag football overall as this accessible, incredibly fast-growing discipline of our sport that we believe will help us grow,” O’Reilly stated. “The Olympics in LA would be a tremendous boost to flag football around the world and in this country.”
In addition to flag football, LA28 proposed the inclusion of four other sports: cricket, lacrosse, squash, and baseball-softball. An IOC spokesperson reported that the LA28 proposal for the additional sports was “well received.”
