USA FOOTBALL STATEMENT ON NFL CLUBS APPROVING THE PARTICIPATION OF NFL PLAYERS IN THE 2028 OLYMPIC GAMES IN LOS ANGELES
The following statement can be attributed to Scott Hallenbeck, CEO and Executive Director of USA Football:
“On behalf of USA Football, I’d like to thank NFL clubs for approving the resolution allowing NFL players to participate in the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles when flag football debuts on the Olympic stage. USA Football has had extensive discussions with the NFL on the potential of player participation, and we’re thrilled to see those efforts become a reality.
“As the National Governing Body of American football, we have a tremendous responsibility ahead of us — selecting, training and leading the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams for LA28.
“We’re fortunate to have a talent pool that already features prominent flag football stars who have helped USA Football establish a gold-medal standard in international competition. Including players from the NFL only strengthens our ability to build the best U.S. Men’s National Team possible and achieve our ultimate goal for LA28: to bring home two gold medals in flag football.
“We will continue to develop our high-performance plan that guides the creation of our National Teams. We look forward to working with the NFL on the specific opportunities that NFL players can use to showcase their skills and become eligible for selection to Team USA.”
Background:
NFL clubs voted today at the Spring League Meeting in Eagan, Minn., to allow the participation of NFL players in flag football at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles (LA28).
As the sport’s National Governing Body, USA Football is responsible for selecting, training and leading the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams in both tackle and flag football, including when Team USA makes its debut in flag football in the 2028 Summer Games.
The approved resolution authorizes the NFL to work with the NFL Players’ Association, the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), and the relevant Olympic authorities to implement rules governing the participation of NFL players in flag football. As per the terms agreed to today, NFL player participation with their countries’ national flag football teams will begin with a tryout or qualification process in advance of the Olympic competition.
About USA Football: USA Football is the National Governing Body (NGB) for American Football in the United States and the sole U.S. member of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), the international governing body for the sport of American football. USA Football selects, trains and leads Team USA in tackle and flag football disciplines, while delivering world-class football development resources, sport standards and competitive opportunities to empower athletes at every level. USA Football is committed to ensuring every athlete has access to develop and compete in the game through safer, inclusive and innovative pathways. For more information, visit USAFootball.com.