Skip to main content
Advertising

NFL approves players to participate in flag football in 2028 Olympic Games

A child runs through a drill at a flag football exhibition in a fan zone at the Hotel de Ville, the city hall, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Paris. The International Federation of American Football and the NFL offered the introductory sessions to the sport which will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
A child runs through a drill at a flag football exhibition in a fan zone at the Hotel de Ville, the city hall, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 28, 2024, in Paris. The International Federation of American Football and the NFL offered the introductory sessions to the sport which will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

CHARLOTTE — A year ago, Jaycee Horn stood on the Panthers practice filed after an early August training camp session, and listed all the flag football positions he'd play if it meant going to the Olympics.

"Athlete! Classify me as both," Horn negotiated. "Whatever way I can get on the team, I don't care if its kicking."

Well, there's no kicking in flag football, but someone tell Jaycee Horn he can still line up at defensive back.

jaycee and rob

The NFL announced on Tuesday that the league clubs, while at Spring League Meeting in Eagan, Minnesota, had approved a resolution allowing NFL players to participate in flag football for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles (LA28).

"It's an incredible honor for any athlete to represent their country in the Olympics, which is the pinnacle of global sport," said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. "I know first-hand that the inclusion of flag football in the Olympics has sparked a tremendous amount of excitement among NFL players interested in the chance to compete for their country on the world stage. We are thrilled that they will now have that chance."

The approved resolution authorizes the league to work with the NFL Players Association, the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), and the relevant Olympic authorities to implement rules governing the participation of NFL players in flag football, which makes its Olympic debut in 2028.

"I would definitely be on that team if I could represent Team USA, you know, I think I'd be dope," said offensive lineman Ikem Ekwonu last August, when the option was first presented.

Flag football doesn't have a traditional offensive line though, only a center, so Ekwonu even promised to learn to snap. For that matter, he'd even train in track and field if it meant participating in the Olympics.

"If I had four years, all I was doing was throwing, shot putting and discus, I think I'd do some damage."

Track and field wasn't on the NFL resolution though, so for now, guys will just focus on translating their own game to flag football.

NFLKENYA_ICKEY_-23

"I warmly welcome the outcome of this vote, which promises to add another dimension to what is already shaping up to be a game-changing debut for flag football at the Olympic Games," said IFAF President Pierre Trochet.

"The National Football League is home to the biggest stars in American football, who come from more and more countries, and now have the opportunity to shine on the greatest stage in world sport, showcasing everything that makes flag football a genuine worldwide phenomenon. IFAF's 75 national federations join me in thanking our NFL partners for this further demonstration of their commitment to flag football in the Olympic movement. We will work together to ensure our sport contributes a defining element of LA28's success."

Olympic rosters will be selected by each countries' National Olympic Committees based on the proposal by the respective National Federations. Most NFL players would play under Team USA. The Panthers do have two players on the current roster who are natives of other countries, and therefore eligible to try out for those teams: running back Chuba Hubbard (Canada) and Princely Umanmielen (Nigeria).

The Olympic flag football competition will consist of six men's teams and six women's teams composed of 10 players per team, with the game itself a five-on-five format.

"I think it's just cool to be a part of the Olympics, just being able to say you competed in the Olympic games and obviously winning a gold medal," Horn said. "It would be the story that you could tell your kids. That's a crazy opportunity to have, especially as a football player."

Echoed tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders, "Definitely representing my country at the highest stage to do that, that would be an honor."

As per the terms agreed to on Tuesday, NFL player participation with their countries' national flag football teams will begin with a tryout or qualification process in advance of the Olympic competition.

View photos of the Panthers' voluntary offseason workouts on Monday.

Related Content

Advertising