Running back Saquon Barkley (L2) of the National Football Conference runs with the ball in the NFL Pro Bowl Game against the American Football Conference at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, February 5, 2023. /CFP
Running back Saquon Barkley (L2) of the National Football Conference runs with the ball in the NFL Pro Bowl Game against the American Football Conference at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, February 5, 2023. /CFP
Star wide receiver Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins wants USA to send a "super team" for flag football at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028. The National Football League (NFL) is working with the Players Association (NFLPA) to make it happen.
Flag football was officially added to the Games in 2028 earlier this week. Hill posted "bring one home" on X after the announcement. "You know how amazing it would be to assemble a super team to play in the Olympics," he said later on his podcast.
The NFL has made contributions to the inclusion of flag football in the Olympics by turning last season's Pro Bowl into a week-long series of competitions in which American Football Conference and National Football Conference stars played flag football together.
"We're committed to growing flag football around the world," NFL executive Peter O'Reilly said on Tuesday. "The Olympic decision accelerates that. We do see it as a long-term commitment as we move forward. And it's not just about 2028 and that July, it's about the next four years and how we, our clubs, IFAF take advantage of that opportunity to really grow this game, allow more girls and boys around the world to get a ball in their hands, get a flag belt on and grow what we're doing."
Defensive end Maxx Crosby (L) of the American Football Conference runs toward quarterback Kirk Cousins of the National Football Conference in the NFL Pro Bowl Game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, February 5, 2023. /CFP
Defensive end Maxx Crosby (L) of the American Football Conference runs toward quarterback Kirk Cousins of the National Football Conference in the NFL Pro Bowl Game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, February 5, 2023. /CFP
O'Reilly revealed that the league and the union are working together to enable current and former players to participate in the flag football sport at the Olympic Games in LA in 2028.
"It is the pinnacle of sport globally," the NFL executive said. "Ultimately, that decision on the makeup of Team USA is a decision of USA Football and the national governing body or the governing bodies around the world in similar roles because we are thinking about Team USA, but there are also a lot of other passports in the NFL – 113 foreign-born players on NFL rosters as of Week 5."
Flag football, as a less violent version of American football, will be a 5-on-5 competition on a 50-yard field. There won't be offensive or defensive linemen on either side. Tackles will be made by pulling a flag off a belt worn by each player.
"So, that opportunity for athletes to represent their countries, we understand the desire, what they have spoken out about and what we will continue to do is work with the players, Players Association and the clubs in the time ahead to determine the process and then work with USA Football and IFAF [International Federation of American Football] on that," O'Reilly added.