NFL at the Olympics? Aaron Jones and Others Want to Represent the United States in Flag Football
On the horizon of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, the possibility of NFL players representing the United States in flag football has generated great anticipation. Aaron Jones, running back for the Minnesota Vikings, has expressed his enthusiasm for the idea, stating his desire to participate.
“I would love to. Every other sport has the opportunity to win a gold medal, and if you’re not serving your country in the military, I feel like that’s the other highest honor you can represent your country in.”
Aaron Jones
The initiative has the support of key figures and renowned players. Troy Vincent, NFL executive vice president of football operations, sees the opportunity as an “ultimate dream”.
Players like Patrick Mahomes, quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, and Tyreek Hill, receiver for the Miami Dolphins, have also shown interest in the Olympic competition.
Stefon Diggs, wide receiver for the New England Patriots, believes it’s a “perfect opportunity for everyone to play a sport, representing the United States as a whole and, hopefully, win a gold medal”.
Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, has also expressed his enthusiasm for the idea, highlighting the positive impact the Olympic Games can have on interest in the sport.
The proposal, which will be voted on by the team owners, contemplates that each of the six participating nations can select a maximum of one NFL player, with a limit of 10 players for the United States team.
Although the participation of NFL players in the Olympic Games seems promising, there are still challenges to be resolved. Brian Gutenkunst, general manager of the Green Bay Packers, has expressed his concern about the risk of injuries.
The NFL, aware of the importance of flag football for the future of the sport, is committed to its development. The league collaborates with flag football programs across the country and is developing separate professional leagues for men and women.
Global expansion is another of the NFL’s key objectives, and the inclusion of flag football in the Olympic Games is seen as an important step in this direction.
Troy Vincent highlights that there is still work to be done to ensure that all aspects are covered, including the protection of players in case of injuries.
If the owners approve the resolution, the NFL will have the authorization to move forward on the proposed objectives, although all future agreements will be subject to negotiations with the NFL Players Association and the Olympic bodies.
Injury protection is a crucial topic. Currently, injuries outside of official team activities are classified as “non-football related injuries”, and teams are not obligated to pay the player’s salary during their recovery. The resolution proposes injury protection and salary cap relief for players participating in the Olympic Games.
In addition, the NFL will seek agreements with the Olympic organizers to ensure that minimum standards for medical personnel and playing fields are met.
While flag football is less dangerous than traditional American football, the risk of injury remains real and should be considered.
Jeff Miller, Executive Vice President of Communications, Public Affairs and Policy for the NFL, emphasizes the importance of establishing the highest standards of health and safety, working in conjunction with the players association and regulatory bodies.
Another challenge is the compatibility between the NFL calendar and the Olympic Games. NFL training camps usually start at the end of July, while the 2028 Olympic Games are scheduled for mid-July.
The NBA, NHL, and MLB have found solutions to allow their players to participate in international competitions, and the NFL could follow these examples.
John Harbaugh, coach of the Baltimore Ravens, was not enthusiastic about the possibility of his quarterback, Lamar Jackson, missing part of the preseason.
Andrew Berry, general manager of the Cleveland Browns, joked about the possibility of a star player like Patrick Mahomes participating in the Olympics, suggesting it could be beneficial for the Chiefs’ rivals.
Recently, data has begun to be collected on the health impact and injury risks in flag football. A 2021 study suggested that head injuries are less frequent compared to traditional American football.
Jerry Jones isn’t worried about injuries, but he is concerned about time and availability conflicts. However, Dr. Robert Parisien, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine, warns about the risks of injuries, including sprains, strains, and concussions.
The case of Robert Edwards, Patriots player, who suffered a serious knee injury playing flag football during the Pro Bowl, serves as a reminder of the potential risks.
Darrell “Housh” Doucette, a world-renowned flag football player and member of the United States national team, believes that flag football players have the ability to compete for a gold medal. Doucette emphasizes that NFL players will need to prove themselves on the field.
Mike Tomlin, coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, acknowledges that there are subtle differences between American football and flag football and is expectant about the possibility of seeing NFL players compete in the Olympic Games.
The process for NFL players to join the national team could be lengthy, although a faster route could be implemented if they are allowed to compete.
Scott Hallenbeck, CEO of USA Football, states that they are ready to support NFL athletes and explore all possible options to build the strongest team.
However, there are still many aspects to be resolved before NFL players can participate in the Olympic Games.
