By Sunday 
Flag Football Gets the Green Light — and the World Stage
The NFL just gave a unanimous thumbs-up that could make your favorite player an Olympic gold medalist in a few years.
At the Spring League Meeting in Minnesota, NFL owners voted 32-0 to allow players to participate in flag football at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. That’s right — come July 2028, you might see NFL stars ditching the pads and helmets for Olympic glory in a five-on-five flag football showdown.
Flag Football Goes Global — With NFL Firepower
For the first time ever, flag football will be an Olympic event in 2028, featuring six men’s and six women’s teams. Each team will include 10 players, with the action happening five-on-five.
This isn’t just a backyard pickup game. The sport is governed by the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), which boasts 75 national member federations. And now, with the NFL officially in the mix, the global profile of the sport is about to rocket.
IFAF President Pierre Trochet captured the excitement, saying, “The National Football League is home to the biggest stars in American football… now [they] have the opportunity to shine on the greatest stage in world sport.”
What This Means for NFL Players
The resolution allows the NFL to work hand-in-hand with the NFL Players Association, IFAF, and Olympic officials to create rules that protect players — especially regarding injuries and team salary caps. Historically, injuries outside of team activities were considered “non-football” and weren’t covered financially. That’s changing.
NFLPA Executive Director Lloyd Howell, Jr. put it plainly: “Players have expressed to us a great desire for the honor of competing in the Olympics… [We] look forward to working… to ensure players who compete will do so with protections to their health, safety, and job.”
So yes, the dream is real — and now it’s officially protected by the playbook.
The Stars Are Already Dreaming
The excitement among players is palpable. Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson was floored when he heard the news.
“To be honest, I’m at a loss for words… To think about the chance of playing in the Olympics and getting a gold medal, it’s a dream,” Jefferson told ESPN.
Expect more big-name players to start talking about 2028 as a very real goal — one that goes beyond Super Bowls.
What Happens Next?
Player participation won’t be automatic. There will be a qualification or tryout process, with Olympic rosters ultimately decided by each country’s National Olympic Committee, guided by national federations.
And yes — we’ll be counting the days.
As LA28 Chairperson Casey Wasserman summed it up: “There is no question that the 2028 Flag Football tournament… will be one of the most exciting competitions in Olympic history.”
Mark your calendars: July 14–30, 2028.
The NFL’s biggest stars might just be going for gold — not in Las Vegas, not in Miami — but in Los Angeles, under the Olympic rings.