• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Nominations Are Open for Front Office Sports Honors! Submit Now

NFL Open To Active Players Joining Olympic Flag Football

  • League to work with union, governing bodies to create participation pathway
  • Robust player interest called “real and palpable”
NFL-flag-football
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK — The NFL is encouraging active players to participate in flag football’s newly approved inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, calling it the “pinnacle” of the sport on the global stage.

Responding to a Front Office Sports question at fall league meetings in New York, NFL executive vice president Peter O’Reilly said the league will be working with key entities such as the NFL Players Association and national governing body USA Football to create a pathway for players to compete in those Games.

“We understand the desire,” O’Reilly said. “We think it’s a great opportunity, because the player interest is real and palpable. There’s a desire to work through with these stakeholders and get to that outcome for July [2028].”

O’Reilly’s comments amplify those made recently by current stars such as Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill and former league standouts such as Rob Gronkowski and Dez Bryant, all of whom have been public about their desire to play in the Olympics.

“Clearly in the leadup to the announcement, and then [Monday], there was a lot of excitement, as you might expect, from great NFL athletes and NFL legends who love the idea of representing their country on an Olympic stage,” O’Reilly said.

Such a move would bring the NFL more in alignment with other leagues such as the NBA and NHL, which have featured its top athletes in the Olympics for many years. With baseball’s reentry into the 2028 Olympics, dialogue has resurfaced for potential MLB player participation. 

O’Reilly said the league intends for the debut Olympic flag football tournament to coexist on the calendar with NFL team operations such as training camps. To that end, the majority of the July 2028 dates for the Los Angeles Olympics will likely occur before the veteran training camp reporting dates for NFL teams.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Cheap QBs, Pricey Plans: How Rookie Deals Have Fueled NFL Spending

Washington has made two trades for high-priced veterans.

NFL Pay Gap Has Expanded Faster Than Salary Cap

The highest-paid NFL players now make nearly 25% of the salary cap.

NFL Free Agency Hits Record Pace After Billion-Dollar Weekend

The league’s legal tampering period opened Monday afternoon.

Seahawks Win Sam Darnold Sweepstakes With $100M Deal

The quarterback has cashed in after his breakout season in Minnesota.

Featured Today

Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) cuts down the net after beating LSU in the Elite 8 round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament between Iowa and LSU at MVP Arena, Monday, April 1, 2024 in Albany, N.Y.
opinion

Reader Mailbag: Leagues Need Must-Watch Moments

Readers responded to NHL success and what it means for other leagues.
Moolah Kicks
March 8, 2025

Breaking the Mold: The Brands Designing Footwear Specifically for Female Athletes

New companies are laser focused on changing the women’s athletic footwear landscape.
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY, 22: Houston Astros play the Washington Nationals in Spring Training at Cacti Park of the Palm Beaches on February 22, 2025 in West Palm Beach, FL. (
March 6, 2025

Astros Strength Coach Stephanie Grubbs Is Building an ‘Arsenal’ of Skills

The MLB team’s first female coach talks to FOS about her trajectory.
Lia Thomas of University of Pennsylvania competes in the finals of the 200 yard freestyle during the Women s Ivy League Swimming and Diving Championships at Harvard University.
March 2, 2025

One Group Is Funding the NCAA Transgender Ban Lawsuits

ICONS is funding three major lawsuits against schools, conferences, and the NCAA.

Rangers Cap Pulled From MLB Store Over Spanish Vulgarity; Others Spark Reactions

The design on the Rangers cap accidentally formed a vulgar Spanish word.
March 10, 2025

MLB Riding Ohtani Wave in Japan as Tokyo Series Tickets Reach $2,000

The upcoming Tokyo games are unlike any prior MLB international event.
Nov 3, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) makes a catch against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.
March 10, 2025

Twitter Goes Down at Brutal Time for NFL Free Agency News

Monday is the first day of legal tampering for NFL free agents.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
March 9, 2025

Myles Garrett’s Record Deal Resets the NFL Market for Edge Rushers

Micah Parsons and the Cowboys are still negotiating a contract extension.
UFL
March 6, 2025

UFL Players Keeping ‘All Options’ Open As Teams Threaten Cuts

Labor strife continues to threaten the league’s second season.
March 6, 2025

On Thin Ice? NHL Braces for Fallout From U.S.-Canada Tensions

The league is monitoring potential impacts on the Canadian dollar’s value.
Dana White, CEO of Ultimate Fighting Championship introduces Republican presidential nominee Donald J. Trump during the final day of the Republican National Convention.
exclusive
March 5, 2025

Dana White Wants to Break Boxing Down, ‘Build It From the Ground..

The company envisions a much more active cadence of competition.