NFL clubs voted today at the Spring League Meeting in Eagan, Minnesota to permit the participation of NFL players in flag football at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles (LA28).
The approved resolution authorizes the league to work with the NFL Players Association, the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), and the relevant Olympic authorities to implement rules governing the participation of NFL players in flag football, which makes its Olympic debut in 2028.
“It’s an incredible honor for any athlete to represent their country in the Olympics, which is the pinnacle of global sport,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in a press release. “I know first-hand that the inclusion of flag football in the Olympics has sparked a tremendous amount of excitement among NFL players interested in the chance to compete for their country on the world stage. We are thrilled that they will now have that chance.”
Olympic rosters will be selected by each countries’ National Olympic Committees based on the proposal by the respective National Federations.
The Olympic flag football competition will consist of six men’s teams and six women’s teams composed of 10 players per team, with the game itself a five-on-five format.
As per the terms agreed to today, NFL player participation with their countries’ national flag football teams will begin with a tryout or qualification process in advance of the Olympic competition.
Flag football is governed internationally by the IOC-recognized International Federation of American Football, which has 75 national member federations spanning every continent.
Leave a Reply