NFL-style football is primarily enjoyed by American audiences, but the NFL has made it a goal to expand its appeal across other nations.
That's why the league has had a decades-long presence in London. It's also why they have made forays into Germany and, in 2024, Brazil, to stoke interest in the game overseas.
Now, the NFL is being granted an even greater opportunity to appeal to the masses. It's all about the 2028 Olympics.
For the first time, flag football will be played in the Olympics.
Flag football may not come with the same hard-hitting action the NFL does, but it shares some rules with the American sport. More importantly, some of the NFL's top players have expressed an interest in playing in the Olympics and trying to bring a gold medal to the USA's soil.
Here's what to know about flag football at the 2028 Olympics and how the NFL could be involved with the sport during the Los Angeles Games.
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Is flag football in the 2028 Olympics?
Yes, flag football is set to appear in the 2028 Olympics. It's one of six sports being added to the Los Angeles Games. They are as follows:
- Baseball
- Cricket
- Flag football
- Lacrosse
- Softball
- Squash
The Olympics have a group of "core" sports — as defined by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) — but up to six optional ones can be added to the Summer Games for each iteration. These sports are often popular in the host country and add more of a regional flare to the competition.
For example, the IOC allowed Japan to add skateboarding, surfing, sport climbing, karate, baseball, and softball to the fold as optional sports in 2021. The 2024 Paris Olympics saw skateboarding, sport climbing, surfing, and breaking added to the fold as its optional sports, which are often referred to as "new."
The 2028 Olympics are in Los Angeles, so it makes sense that the competitions at the Summer Games would have more of an American flare. That's why flag football and lacrosse will make their official Olympic debuts, while baseball and softball will rejoin the fold after a hiatus in Paris.
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Will NFL players participate in the 2028 Olympics?
Flag football is a different discipline than NFL football, but fans will still want to know if they are going to see their favorite professional players in action or if they will be cheering for groups featuring college stars and recent retirees.
The NFL hasn't clarified whether it will allow players to participate in the 2028 Olympics if invited to do so. The Olympics will coincide with the start of NFL training camp, and the league's 32 teams may not be overeager to allow players to compete and run the risk of injury.
As such, getting the league to agree to such a program is no guarantee.
That said, putting football on the international stage could benefit the NFL as it tries to market to fans outside of the country. Perhaps commissioner Roger Goodell will find a way to allow some top-tier players to participate with the goal of continuing to promote the NFL.
It won't be easy, but either way, the NFL should be expected to take an active role in promoting Olympic flag football. They already have, as Jalen Hurts starred in their 30-second ad announcing the sport's inclusion in the 2028 Olympics.
It’s our turn to light up the LA28 Olympic Games. #NextUpLA28 pic.twitter.com/PEgQOqpmUx
— NFL (@NFL) August 5, 2024
Using Hurts as the spokesperson for flag football at the Olympics raised some eyebrows, as he doesn't have direct ties to Los Angeles. That led some to wonder whether Hurts' inclusion meant he had an interest in playing flag football at the 2028 Olympics.
He hasn't said anything to indicate his interest in that, but other players have expressed a desire to play in the 2028 Olympics.
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What NFL players have said about flag football at the 2028 Olympics
Tyreek Hill is among the most notable NFL players to express his support of the Olympic initiative. The Dolphins wideout posted to social media and called upon the league's best players to join forces for their respective countries.
Calling all @NFL guys let’s bring one home 😈 https://t.co/JD2LvZzaaz
— Ty Hill (@cheetah) October 9, 2023
Former NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski also expressed he would be interested in playing at the 2028 Olympics.
"Hopefully, there’s no tryouts and they just accept me," Gronkowski said, per ProFootballTalk. "But I’m in. I’m going for that if there is flag football in the Olympics in 2028."
Gronk's blocking skills wouldn't come in as handy in flag football, but the former Patriot and Buccaneer is regarded by many as the greatest tight end of all time. That would make him a big get for the Olympic team.
Amon-Ra St. Brown is another player who has expressed a general interest in playing flag football. The caveat for the 24-year-old is that he would like to do it after his NFL career comes to a close.
"Maybe when I retire," St. Brown said of playing flag football, per CBS. "Right now, I might get injured, whatever the case may be. After I'm done playing, shoot, I'd love to get out there and do something."
Tua Tagovailoa and Patrick Mahomes are also among those who have expressed an interest in the game. And as Jaguars tight end Evan Engram noted, having football in the Olympics would help the NFL in its quest to generate more interest outside of the United States.
"I think it does a lot for the game of football itself. It's definitely a safer, less contact version of the game, and it allows other countries be introduced to the game or even finding the great talent in their country and inside their lines playing this great sport," Engram said at the 2024 Pro Bowl, per CBS. "The Olympics have been the highest pinnacle of competition, so adding football to that is really cool."
As such, there are a lot of reasons for NFL players to like the IOC's inclusion of flag football in the 2028 Olympics.
It will be a long time before NFL players and fans know exactly how the rosters will be constructed but don't be surprised if at least some players — current or former — make it onto the field for the Los Angeles Games.
