Football
At the Spring League Meeting in Eagan, MN, NFL owners voted to allow NFL players to participate in flag football at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
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.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said, “It’s an incredible honor for any athlete to represent their country in the Olympics, which is the pinnacle of global sport. 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.”
Olympic rosters will be selected by each countries’ National Olympic Committees based on the proposal by the respective National Federations.
IFAF President Pierre Trochet said, “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. 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.”
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.
As per the terms agreed to today, NFL player participation with their countries’ national flag football teams will begin with a tryout or qualification process in advance of the Olympic competition.
NFL Players Association Executive Director Lloyd Howell, Jr. said, “Players have expressed to us a great desire for the honor of competing in the Olympics, and we’re excited that our members will be able to represent their country on the highest international stage. We look forward to working with the league, IFAF, and Olympic authorities on the terms of their participation to ensure players who compete will do so with protections to their health, safety, and job.”
Flag football is governed internationally by the IOC-recognized International Federation of American Football, which has 75 national member federations spanning every continent. A record 31 nations participated in the most recent IFAF Flag Football World Championships, mirroring the sport’s explosive grassroots growth, with 20 million players around the world.
“There is no question that the 2028 Flag Football tournament at the LA28 Games will be one of the most exciting competitions in Olympic history, and the inclusion of NFL players will bring it to new heights,” said LA28 Chairperson and President Casey Wasserman. “This milestone would not have been possible without the support of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, the NFL Players Association, its club owners and most importantly, the athletes, who we’ll look forward to watching on the field in 2028.”
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