NFL Stars Eye Olympic Glory: The Road to 2028 Flag Football

The possibility of NFL stars such as Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill participating in the 2028 Olympic flag football event is generating significant buzz. This week, NFL owners are set to vote on a resolution that could pave the way for this historic moment.

The Players' Perspective

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones has already expressed his enthusiasm: "Sign me up. Every other sport gets an opportunity to win a gold medal, and if you're not serving your country in the military, I feel like that's the other highest honor that you can represent your country in."

Jones is not alone. Many key stakeholders, including NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent, have voiced their support. "Man, that notion of being able to represent your country, whether you're going to represent Team USA, Asia, Mexico -- whatever -- that's the ultimate dream," Vincent said.

The Owners' View

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones sees the potential benefits: "That's exciting and positive for the NFL. I can see that and identify with that real quick... I'm a fan of what the Olympics can do for interest in your sport."

Challenges Ahead

Despite the widespread support, several challenges remain. The resolution proposes limits on the number of participating players, outlines injury protections, and addresses potential conflicts with the NFL schedule. The vote requires approval from at least 24 of the 32 team owners.

Injury Concerns

Injury protection is a significant concern. Currently, injuries occurring away from official team functions are classified as "non-football injuries," and teams are not required to pay a player's salary during recovery. The resolution seeks to address this by proposing injury protection and salary-cap relief for players participating in the Olympics.

Scheduling Conflicts

The NFL's offseason and training-camp schedule could conflict with the Olympic event, scheduled for July 14-30, 2028. The resolution aims to ensure that flag-football games and related events do not unreasonably conflict with an NFL player's league and club commitments.

Global Expansion

The NFL's international efforts are becoming a central focus, with seven international games scheduled this year, including first regular-season games in Dublin, Berlin, and Madrid. Flag football in the Olympics is seen as a major win for the league's global expansion.

Conclusion

While the prospect of NFL stars competing in the 2028 Olympic flag football event is exciting, it will require careful negotiation and agreement among the NFL, the players union, and Olympic governing bodies. The upcoming vote is a crucial step toward making this dream a reality.