NFL owners unanimously approve Olympic flag football participation
League owners officially approved a resolution allowing players to participate in flag football at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles by a 32-0 vote.
A maximum of one player per team would be allowed to participate, with each team's designated international player being allowed to represent their country, as well.
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NFLers have shown their abilities in recent years at the Pro Bowl Games, where flag football is one of the competitions — and they've long been keen to get a chance to display a different side of their skills.
3 AFC wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) of the Miami Dolphins carries the ball against NFC cornerback Tariq Woolen (27) of the Seattle Seahawks and outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) of the Minnesota Vikings during the flag football event at the NFL Pro Bowl on Feb. 5, 2023.
AP
'To think about the chance of playing in the Olympics and getting a gold medal, it's a dream,' Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson told ESPN of possibly suiting up in the red, white and blue for the Summer Games.
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He's not alone. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill are among those who have expressed interest in participating.
'I would absolutely love it. Every other sport gets an opportunity to win a gold medal,' Minnesota running back Aaron Jones said last month. 'And if you're not serving your country in the military, I feel like that's the other highest honor.'
The league and players association will still need to iron out some details, including injury protection, salary cap credit and minimum medical and field requirements.
3 AFC wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7), of the Jacksonville Jaguars, runs away from NFC return specialist KaVontae Turpin, of the Dallas Cowboys, right, during the flag football event at the NFL Pro Bowl, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025.
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The Olympic tournament will also have to take place in a way that 'does not unreasonably conflict' with players' NFL commitments.
Athletes from the NHL, NBA and MLB have long been able to represent their home countries in international competition, with hockey and basketball being big Olympic draws and the sixth edition of the World Baseball Classic slated for 2026.
The NFL's inclusion in the Olympics isn't a welcome addition to all, despite the unanimous owners vote.
'At the end of the day, I feel like I'm better than Patrick Mahomes because of my IQ of the game,' Darrell Doucette, QB for the US national flag football team, told TMZ in Aug. 2024. 'I know right now he's the best in the [NFL], I know he's more accurate, I know he's got all these intangibles. But when it comes to flag football, I feel like I know more than him.'
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3 NFC wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11), of the Seattle Seahawks, tries to evade AFC safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, of the Pittsburgh Steelers, left, during the flag football event at the NFL Pro Bowl, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025.
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Other rule proposals being voted on by NFL owners at their meeting in Minnesota this week include potentially banning the tush push, expanding onside kick attempts beyond the fourth quarter and possible alterations to playoff seeding.
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And he's not even 30 years old yet. It's possible the best is yet to come. Honorable Mentions: Bart Starr, Steve Van Buren No. 16: Joe Montana The legendary 49ers quarterback was the GOAT until Tom Brady arrived. Montana won four Super Bowl titles, two NFL MVP awards and had a remarkable five come-from-behind wins in playoff games in his 15-year career. He even did it while holding off a future Hall of Famer in Steve Young, who was his backup for four years before an elbow injury cost Montana a season and ended his 49ers tenure. He went to eight Pro Bowls in all, including a late-career trip while playing in Kansas City. Honorable Mentions: Frank Gifford, Len Dawson No. 17: Philip Rivers The only thing keeping the longtime Chargers quarterback from being recognized as one of the all-time elites is a lack of postseason success. Despite no Super Bowl appearances, Rivers had an otherwise stellar run in 15 years as a starter. He threw for 63,440 yards and 421 touchdowns while making eight Pro Bowl appearances. Eagles WR Harold Carmichael made the Hall of Fame wearing No. 17, but Rivers might eventually get there, too. Honorable Mentions: Harold Carmichael, Josh Allen No. 18: Peyton Manning His career ran into a roadblock, overlapping with Tom Brady in some of his biggest postseason games. Otherwise, Manning would be under consideration for GOAT status. His résumé is just ridiculous. He was the NFL MVP five times, a seven-time first-team All-Pro, went to 14 Pro Bowls and won two Super Bowls, first for the Colts and then the Broncos. His career winning percentage is over .700, making him arguably the prototype for quarterbacks (non-mobile category, of course). Honorable Mentions: Charlie Joiner, Emmitt Thomas No. 19: Johnny Unitas The "Johnny U" Era pre-dated the NFL's passing explosion, but Unitas still threw for 40,239 yards and 290 touchdowns in 18 wonderful seasons. Considered one of the best team leaders in NFL history, the Colts quarterback won three NFL championships and a Super Bowl, was a three-time NFL MVP, went to 10 Pro Bowls and was named an All-Pro eight times. Honorable Mentions: Lance Alworth, Keyshawn Johnson No. 20: Barry Sanders There have been some great defensive backs who wore this number, including Ed Reed, Brian Dawkins, Mel Renfro and Ronde Barber. But how could any of them compare to this shooting star of a running back? The Lions legend played 10 seasons, went to 10 Pro Bowls and was named to the All-Pro team 10 times. He also won an MVP award and ran for fewer than 1,300 yards in a season only once — when he ran for 1,115 in 1993 despite missing five games. Honorable Mentions: Ed Reed, Mel Renfro No. 21: Deion Sanders It takes the bright lights of "Prime Time" — the flashy, Hall of Fame corner and two-sport star — to overwhelm a talented group of No. 21s. The number could belong to RB LaDainian Tomlinson, CB Eric Allen, CB Charles Woodson, WR Cliff Branch or RB Frank Gore. But "Neon Deion" was one of the biggest stars the NFL has ever had. He won back-to-back Super Bowls (with the 49ers and Cowboys) and is the only man to ever play in both a Super Bowl and a World Series. He was quite possibly the greatest cover corner of all time. Plus, he was an elite kick returner and played some receiver, too. Honorable Mentions: LaDainian Tomlinson, Cliff Branch No. 22: Emmitt Smith Smith might be the greatest running back in NFL history. He holds the all-time record with 18,355 rushing yards and 164 rushing touchdowns. He also carried the ball more than anyone ever, with 4,409 rushes in 15 seasons. He won an NFL MVP and powered the Cowboys to three Super Bowl titles, too. Smith earns this honor because of both performance and longevity at a position where players aren't built to last. Honorable Mentions: Bob Hayes, Paul Krause No. 23: Devin Hester The former Bear is probably the greatest return specialist in NFL history. He had 14 career touchdowns on punt returns — an NFL record, by far — and he ranks fifth on the all-time list with five kickoff returns for touchdowns. He also did it at a time when kickers were getting stronger and touchbacks became more of the norm, limiting his return chances. No one was ever more explosive on special teams. Honorable Mentions: Troy Vincent, Patrick Surtain No. 24: Champ Bailey This is the number of great corners, with Bailey joined by Hall of Famers Darrelle Revis, Charles Woodson, Willie Brown and Willie Wood. But it's hard for any of them to beat Bailey's 12 combined Pro Bowls with Washington and Denver. He had 52 career interceptions and was named an All-Pro seven times. He also holds the NFL career record with 203 passes deflected. Honorable Mentions: Darrelle Revis, Willie Brown Our four-part series continues on Tuesday, July 29, with the greatest players in NFL history to wear Nos. 25-49. Ralph Vacchiano is an NFL Reporter for FOX Sports. He spent the previous six years covering the Giants and Jets for SNY TV in New York, and before that, 16 years covering the Giants and the NFL for the New York Daily News. Follow him on Twitter at @RalphVacchiano . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily. recommended Item 1 of 3 Get more from the National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
