With flag football set to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, the conversation around who should represent the United States is already sparking debate and Jason Kelce has a clear, high-stakes proposal for settling it.
On the latest episode of the “New Heights” podcast, co-hosted by Jason and his brother Travis Kelce, the pair discussed the growing friction between the current U.S. national flag football team and the prospect of NFL players joining the Olympic squad.
While the NFL has approved player participation in the event, not everyone is thrilled, particularly members of the national team, such as quarterback Darrell “Housh” Doucette, who have voiced concern over professional players entering their territory.
Travis Kelce floated the idea of open tryouts as a fair way to determine who deserves to compete.
“Is this guy afraid of competition?” he asked, responding to Doucette’s remarks. “Have a tryout and the best players make the team. He’s just boxing out other people from joining the sport because they haven’t played the specific style of football?”
Jason Kelce proposes a true test of merit
Jason Kelce took his brother’s suggestion a step further, pitching an idea that could captivate fans and broadcasters alike.
Rather than a traditional tryout process, he suggested organizing a winner-take-all showdown between a squad of NFL players and the current U.S. national team. The victor would earn the right to represent Team USA at the 2028 Olympics.
“I think a coach that is familiar with flag football should select an NFL-represented team,” Jason explained.
“That team should just play this flag football team that’s been playing for a long time and feels like they are the best at it and don’t need other guys. Then whoever wins (goes to the Olympics).”
While Kelce acknowledged the national team’s experience, he didn’t shy away from questioning their dominance.
“If these guys are the best, they should represent Team USA,” he said. “I don’t know anything about flag football, but I feel very confident they aren’t the best.”
The idea not only suggests a fair way to resolve the growing tension but also presents a made-for-TV moment with Olympic implications.
With the 2028 Games still three years away, there’s time for the logistics to be worked out – but Jason Kelce’s vision could easily spark a new kind of Olympic qualifier, one pitting seasoned flag football veterans against the NFL’s elite.
And given the growing popularity of flag football, especially at the youth and collegiate levels, the potential for a showcase match to unify the sport’s paths seems more realistic than ever.
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