• Loading stock data...
Thursday, September 18, 2025

Will—and Can—NFL Stars Play Olympic Flag Football?

  • One U.S. flag football star pushed back on NFL players competing in the Olympics.
  • Many details ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut have not been determined.
Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL regular season doesn’t start for more than two weeks, and the Olympics are over, but the potential marriage of the two sporting giants keeps generating widespread interest.

U.S. men’s flag national team quarterback Darrell Doucette made headlines over the weekend for his resistance to NFL players joining Team USA’s flag football squad for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. “I think it’s disrespectful that they just automatically assume that they’re able to just join the Olympic team,” Doucette told The Guardian.

Doucette, 35, will lead the 12-man U.S. roster into the 2024 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Flag Football World Championships, which begins Aug. 27 in Finland. But it was Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts who starred in an ad during the Paris Olympics touting the addition of flag football to the Games in 2028. Fellow star QBs Joe Burrow (Bengals) and Caleb Williams (Bears) have also made their potential Olympic interest known. So have Dolphins wideout Tyreek Hill and Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons, among other current and former NFL players.

A Lot on the Table

Despite the hype surrounding Olympic flag football, many details still need to be ironed out over the next four years. How many nations will compete in Los Angeles, and how they will qualify, have not been determined. Neither has the roster selection process for Team USA.

“We’re going to be very open-minded about anyone and everyone meeting the criteria that we set.” USA Football CEO Scott Hallenbeck told USA Today in December. “We’re going for the gold, and we will do what’s necessary to put the best team together.” No specific timetable for the Olympic process has been revealed.

Finding a Middle Ground

If active NFL players want to compete in the 2028 Olympics, and have the green light from team owners, it would seem to be a huge miss for USA Football, the IFAF, or the International Olympic Committee to not allow them to. Perhaps rosters could have a limit on how many NFL players are allowed, in order to still include full-time flag football players.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

$3.8 Billion Commanders Stadium Deal Approved Despite Late Drama

A decisive final vote on the stadium followed some last-minute snags.
Donald Trump
exclusive

Trump’s Unprecedented Super Bowl Visit Cost Secret Service More Than $120K

Trump was the first president to attend the Super Bowl.
Maria Taylor

Maria Taylor Talks About ‘Moving Differently’ in ESPN-NBC Jump

Taylor will be NBC Sports’ lead NBA and WNBA studio host.
Sep 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) makes a reception defended by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) during the fourth quarter of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Sets Early NFL TV Ratings Mark

Several new milestones are established with the big early-season matchup.

Featured Today

Premier Lacrosse League

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Kawhi Leonard

A Timeline of the Kawhi Leonard-Clippers-Aspiration Saga

Investigations into the Clippers’ business dealings with Leonard date back years.
September 11, 2025

NHL To Allow Players From Hockey Canada Trial To Return This Winter

The five Canadian players were all acquitted in July.
Joe Burrow
September 15, 2025

Joe Burrow Out for Months After Bengals’ Pricey Offseason

Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase are the highest-paid WR duo in NFL history.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
September 10, 2025

Kuminga, Grimes Remain Unsigned As Giddey Agrees to $100M Deal

Two of the four restricted free agents have inked deals.
September 8, 2025

Alcaraz and Sinner Have More to Gain in 2025 After Splitting Slams

Alcaraz and Sinner have split the last eight Grand Slams.
September 7, 2025

Alcaraz Beats Sinner, Wins $5M Prize, Reclaims World No. 1

Alcaraz won a record $5 million first prize at the US Open.
Angel Reese
September 5, 2025

Angel Reese Suspended For Half-Game After Ripping Teammates

The team is disciplining Reese for criticizing her teammates publicly.