EAGAN, Minn. — In a significant decision, NFL clubs voted today during the Spring League Meeting to allow NFL players to take part in flag football at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The resolution received unanimous support, enabling the league to collaborate with the NFL Players Association and the International Federation of American Football to set rules for player participation.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell expressed his excitement about the news, stating, “It’s an incredible honor for any athlete to represent their country in the Olympics, which is the pinnacle of global sport.” Goodell mentioned that many players are eagerly looking forward to the opportunity to compete on such a vast stage, and the chance to represent their nations ignites a lot of enthusiasm.
The upcoming Olympic flag football competition will feature six teams of men and six teams of women, with each team comprised of 10 players, engaging in a five-on-five format. National Olympic Committees will select the players based on proposals from their respective National Federations. Goodell’s sentiments were echoed by the president of IFAF, Pierre Trochet, who praised the decision as a vital step for the sport’s growth on the international scene.
Trochet acknowledged that the inclusion of NFL players would represent a new milestone for flag football. “The National Football League is home to the biggest stars in American football,” he said, noting that this further solidifies flag football as a global phenomenon. IFAF currently operates with 75 national federations and recorded participation from a record 31 nations during the last IFAF Flag Football World Championships.
Meanwhile, Lloyd Howell, Jr., the executive director of the NFL Players Association, emphasized the players’ strong desire to compete in the Olympics and affirmed their commitment to ensuring the athletes’ health and safety. Howell stated that guidelines would be developed to protect the players participating in the Olympic event.
The anticipation continues to build as the 2028 Olympics draw nearer, with many viewing the flag football tournament as a potentially thrilling addition to the games. Casey Wasserman, chairperson of LA28, enthusiastically referred to the event as one of the “most exciting competitions in Olympic history” and credited the inclusion of NFL players for adding excitement to the tournament.
As the world prepares for this unique intersection of sports, the excitement surrounding NFL player participation in flag football at the Olympics is sure to only grow in the coming years.
