The NFL might have the star power, but that won’t guarantee a spot on Team USA’s flag football team at the 2028 Olympics.
While big-name pros have started lining up to express interest – and the sport stands to benefit from that attention – USA Football isn’t handing out jerseys based on Instagram followers or Super Bowl rings. In fact, their message is pretty simple: everyone earns it.
“We don’t care what name is on the back,” said Callie Brownson, senior director of high performance and national team operations at USA Football, in a recent Los Angeles Times interview. “You come out, you wear a number, and you compete like everyone else.”
That’s good news for the athletes already playing at the top of the flag football world – many of whom have been competing internationally for years. These players understand the speed, strategy, and nuance that make flag a different beast from tackle football. They’ve been grinding without the spotlight, and now they’re not just keeping their seats – they’re defending them.
Flag IQ vs NFL Athleticism
Mike Daniels, a former West Virginia cornerback now repping Team USA in flag, puts it plainly: “The athletic ability [of an NFL player], I’m not questioning. But the IQ aspect, the speed of the game is completely different.”
It’s not a knock on NFL talent. In fact, if a player takes the time to train and study the flag format, that athletic edge could become a real asset. And let’s be honest – putting NFL names on the roster would bring massive attention to the sport in its Olympic debut.
But that’s only if they can prove they belong.
Because while the Olympics are about showcasing the best athletes, they’re also about putting the best teams on the field. And in 2028, those teams might look a little different than expected.
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