Report: NFL to OK participation in flag football at Olympics

Field Level Media|published: Tue 20th May, 11:27 2025

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell welcomes fans to the 2025 NFL Draft before the first round on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The draft runs through April 26. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

NFL team owners are expected to vote in favor of allowing players to compete in flag football at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics during Tuesday's spring league meeting in Minneapolis, ESPN reported.

At least 24 of the 32 team owners need to approve the resolution.

Should that be the case, the league will then need to come to terms with the NFL Players Association as well as the International Olympic Committee.

Also on the table is the Green Bay Packers' proposal to ban the "tush push" short-yardage play commonly used by the Philadelphia Eagles, as well as the Detroit Lions' request to reseed playoff teams based on their regular-season record. ESPN, however, reported that those votes are not expected until Wednesday.

Should the flag football proposal be approved, it would permit no more than one player from each NFL team to participate. It also would allow a team's designated international player to play for his home country.

The NFL proposal includes a few caveats that would protect teams in case of injuries, including providing salary cap credit for any players hurt while participating and establishing "certain minimum standards for medical staff and field surfaces."

The 2028 Summer Games are scheduled to take place from July 14-30, 2028. NFL players generally are off during most of that period before the start of training camp.

--Field Level Media