NFL owners approve participation of NFL players in 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Patrick Mahomes has plenty of accolades and accomplishments on his football resume before he’s even turned 30 years old. The Kansas City Chiefs superstar quarterback is a three-time Super Bowl winner and Super Bowl MVP as well as a two-time NFL MVP.

On Tuesday, NFL owners opened the door to Mahomes adding Olympian -- and potentially Olympic medalist -- to his career accomplishments. Clubs voted at the spring league meeting in Eagan, Minnesota, to allow for NFL players to participate in flag football at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, according to a memo from the NFL.

The approved resolution from owners allows the league and NFL Players Association to collaborate with the International Federation of American Football and relevant Olympic authorities to allow for NFL players to participate when the Olympics come to Los Angeles three summers from now.

“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. “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,” Goodell continued.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes talks with a member of the Philadelphia Eagles... — Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes talks with a member of the Philadelphia Eagles before the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Doug Benc)(Doug Benc | AP)

Olympic flag football rosters feature a five-on-five format and teams of 10 players. In Los Angeles in 2028, six men’s and women’s teams will compete for the gold medal. At the Olympics, flag football will feature two 20-minute halves and be played on a field that measures 70 yards long and 25 yards wide. Substitutions will be allowed for offensive and defensive players.

“Players have expressed to us a great desire for the honor of competing in the Olympics, and we’re excited that our will be able to represent their country on the highest international stage,” said NFLPA Executive Director Lloyd Howell, Jr. “We look forward to working with the league, IFAF, and Olympic authorities on the of their participation to ensure players who compete will do so with protections to their health, safety, and job.”

In November 2023, Mahomes expressed an interest in playing in the Olympics when it was first announced that flag football would be included in the 2028 LA games.

“I definitely want to,” Mahomes said of playing flag football in the Olympics when asked ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs game in Frankfurt, . Still, Mahomes itted the game is a bit different. “But I’ve seen some of those guys play flag football. They’re a little faster than I am. I know there’s not lineman blocking for you. I’ll be 31-32 years old.”

A year later, U.S. flag football champion Darrell “Housh” Doucette said he would be a better fit than Mahomes.

ESPN’s Jeff Darlington told Kevin Clark on the This Is Football podcast that in talking to Mahomes, the would-be 32-year-old has a great interest in participating for the United States.

“I think people are going to be surprised at the level of interest that there is,” Darlington said. “Like Mahomes, I think, wants to do it. I really do.”