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NFL Players Go For Gold, Allowed To Play Flag Football At 2028 Olympics

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Ja'Marr Chase runs the ball on the field.

NFL players will get a chance to compete in flag football at the 2028 Summer Olympics.

NFL Players Allowed To Play In Olympics

The NFL will strive for gold when flag football heads to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

NFL owners passed the resolution to allow NFL players to participate in flag football at the Olympics. The vote was a unanimous 32-0.

“It’s an incredible honor for any athlete to represent their country in the Olympics, which is the pinnacle of global sport,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell via NFL.com. “I know first-hand that the inclusion of flag football in the Olympics has sparked a tremendous amount of excitement among NFL players interested in the chance to compete for their country on the world stage. We are thrilled that they will now have that chance.”

With the approved vote, the league can now negotiate with the NFL Players Association, the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), and other Olympic officials to determine the specifics for participation.

Flag Football Rules

Flag football makes its Olympic debut at the 2028 Games, which happen to be on American soil.

Six men’s teams and six women’s teams will participate in the competition. 10 players will be allowed on each team. Games will be five-on-five.

Each participating country can select one player per roster. Furthermore, each team’s designated international player can also compete for their respective country.

How the rosters are finalized will be determined at a later date. Tryouts will likely occur to fill the 10 roster spots.

The 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles will take place from July 14-28. NFL players participating in the flag football will only miss the beginning of training camp.