The NFL announced that next week it will decide whether to allow some of its stars to participate in flag football competitions when it makes its debut as an Olympic sport at Los Angeles 2028, after presenting the draft initiative on Friday, which will be put to a vote before the league’s owners
In a statement, the owners said they are interested in allowing the participation of professional players, but that this can only be made official once the 32 owners vote in favor and also approve the rules of participation for the players called up
What would Flag Football look like at Los Angeles 2028?
The NFL explained that it wants the participation of stars from the league, in order to promote the growth of flag football worldwide, since it is one of the most practiced non-contact sports in the United States.
Therefore, they want to take advantage of the Olympic Games showcase to promote its practice worldwide, after it has begun to spread among young people in other countries, as a less aggressive way of playing football.
As part of the owners’ vote, the NFL’s Board of Directors will negotiate the approved guidelines with the NFL Players Association (NFLPA), while Olympic authorities will take those guidelines to implement the rules for Olympic competition, with the participation of professional players. The guidelines include:
- NFL players to try out for a flag football team to compete in the 2028 Olympics
- Limit participation to one player per NFL team (each NFL club’s designated International Player will play for their country)
- Protection against injuries and salary cap credit for any NFL player injured while authorized to participate in ‘Flag Football’ activities
- Agreement to implement certain minimum standards for medical personnel and field surfaces for an NFL player to participate in Olympic ‘Flag Football’
- Schedule for Flag Football games and related events so as not to unreasonably conflict with an NFL player’s commitments to the League and club
New Olympic sports
In addition to flag football, the new Olympic sports we will see at Los Angeles 2028 are baseball/softball, cricket (T20), lacrosse (Sixes) and squash.
Flag football competitions are scheduled to take place between July 14 and 30, 2028, dates that will not affect the work of the preseason in the NFL season.“I’ve heard directly from many players who want to represent their country. It’s a conversation we need to close soon with the union and the teams. I think in the next 60 days we’ll have clarity,” explained league commissioner Roger Goodell.
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