The Olympics are returning to the United States in 2028, and with them comes a fresh wave of excitement — and innovation. Los Angeles will serve as the global stage, and alongside the traditional events we’ve come to love, fans will see the return of some previously retired sports... and the debut of brand-new ones.
Among the additions, one stands out — not just for American fans, but for sports fans worldwide: flag football.
Yes, football — or at least a non-contact version of it — is officially going to the Olympics. And while it’s not full-contact NFL-style gameplay, the sport's inclusion is opening the door for something the world has never seen before: NFL stars representing their country on the Olympic stage.
This to me ruins the spectacle of the Olympics. We all remember the 1980 hockey Olympic team was a bunch of amateur players. After that the NHL allowed professionals to play in the Olympics. That totally changed the aspect of that sport. The flag football competition is only one time thing, but it ruins people's chances to enter the Olympics cause the NFL will decide who compete.
The Olympics are meant to be a celebration of global talent — a stage where underdogs rise, unknowns become legends, and hard work meets opportunity. That magic is what made moments like the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” possible — a team of amateurs defeating professionals through pure grit and belief.
By allowing NFL players to dominate the flag football spotlight, we risk losing that magic.
This isn’t about whether NFL stars can compete — it’s about who should.
There are dedicated athletes — the real flag football players — who have sacrificed, trained, and represented the U.S. in international tournaments long before the NFL gave the Olympics a second thought. And now, their shot at Olympic glory may be taken by someone who plays a different version of the game full-time.