Caitlin Clark is no stranger to breaking boundaries in sports. The Indiana Fever star and former Iowa Hawkeyes standout has already captured the basketball world’s attention, and now, she’s playfully set her sights on a second sport: flag football.
During a recent appearance at the NFL’s annual meeting in Palm Beach, Clark appeared on a panel with none other than tennis legend Serena Williams.
As the two icons discussed their athletic journeys, Clark joked about the idea of suiting up for Team USA in flag football at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where the sport will make its Olympic debut.
“I remember going to my brother’s football games, and it was like, ‘Why can’t I play football?’ I would have played it; I would have loved it,” Clark said. When Williams replied, “You would have been great at it,” Clark added,
“Maybe L.A. 2028, maybe I’ll do two sports. Or if basketball doesn’t work out, I’ll head over to flag football.”
While the comment drew laughs and cheers, it also raised eyebrows – and expectations. But any dream of seeing Clark double up in basketball and flag football won’t be so easy.
USA Football welcomes the excitement
Scott Hallenbeck, CEO and Executive Director of USA Football, responded to the buzz with optimism – but a firm stance on the selection process.
In a statement to TMZ, Hallenbeck said, “USA Football is going to assemble the best possible team for the Los Angeles Olympics, and crossover athletes have already proven they can compete in flag at the highest levels. That said, there’s a process, and each player will have to earn their spot for LA28.”
In other words, even Caitlin Clark would need to go through official channels to prove herself – no shortcuts.
Clark, 23, is already one of the most high-profile names in women’s sports. She helped propel her Iowa team to record-breaking TV viewership during the NCAA tournament, and her transition to the WNBA has drawn similar excitement.
She’s expected to turn out for the Indiana Fever on May 17 against Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky, under new head coach Stephanie White.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who extended the invitation for Clark to speak at the league’s annual summit, praised her presence, saying, “She’s already an icon at a very young age… her perspective, along with Serena’s, was incredibly valuable for our ownership to learn from.”
Whether Clark is serious about switching sports or simply having fun with the idea, one thing’s for sure: her influence extends far beyond the basketball court. And if she does pursue flag football, she’ll need to earn her spot – just like everyone else.
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