The inclusion of flag football in the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics marks an exciting time, but not for the Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes who appeared to distance himself from competing. So, what does the U.S. Flag Football team think?
With the NFL’s increasing international appeal, the prospect of elite professional players competing on the Olympic stage has generated excitement among fans and officials alike.
However, there has been push back from those already established on the team that it could be unfair to them to simply be replaced by the bigger names from the National Football League.
One of those names, however, might not be Mahomes. Speaking to reporters following the Chiefs’ Organized Team Activities (OTAs), he seemed to distance himself from competing.
“It’s awesome to be able to showcase the NFL to the whole world through flag football,” Mahomes said, as per Jayna Bardahl. “But I’ll probably leave that to the younger guys.
“I’ll be a little older by the time that comes around.”
The three-time Super Bowl champion, who turns 30 in September, would be 32 when the Los Angeles Games open on July 14, 2028 and perhaps feels it could be too intense for his body.
Despite being considered relatively young for a quarterback, especially given his elite level of play, the two-time NFL MVP indicated that his attention would likely remain on his professional career on the league.
The comments quickly made their way to social media and prompted a pointed response from the official USA Football account, which posted, “Can’t wait to build the team to #RepTheFlag for LA28”.
USA Football’s reaction reflects the organization’s continued commitment to building a team that prioritizes athletes already excelling in the flag football in the wake of ongoing tension between tradition and star power.
Why did Mahomes say no to Flag Football at the 2028 Olympic Games?
The broader context of Mahomes’ career also helps explain his hesitation. With three Super Bowl victories, three Super Bowl MVPs, and two NFL MVP awards, Mahomes is already one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in the history of the sport.
So he does not need an Olympic Gold medal to book his spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, located in Canton, Ohio, and competing could leave him exposed to injury.
For example, if he tears his anterior cruciate ligament on the field in Los Angeles then that could see him sidelined for months and ultimately out of commission for the Chiefs.
And with his age beginning to reach the mid-30s, that could even prompt Andy Reid to begin thinking about moving him on to nurture a younger talent to take over the reins.
Additionally, the Olympic Games could serve as a showcase for emerging talent and globalize the sport further, an outcome Mahomes acknowledged in his comment.
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