NFL approves participation of players in flag football for 2028 Olympics

NFL players will be eligible to compete in flag football at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles following unanimous approval from league owners during the spring meetings in Minnesota. The decision paves the way for direct collaboration with the NFL Players Association, Olympic authorities, and international flag football bodies to ensure safe participation and logistical coordination.

With the 2028 Games scheduled for July 14 to 30, the Olympic flag football tournament is expected to conclude just ahead of NFL training camps. The NFL emphasized that club involvement will be limited, allowing only one player per team on the 10-player national Olympic rosters. The rosters will be selected by each country’s Olympic committee, with games held in a 5-on-5 format on a 50-yard field, and six teams per gender participating.

The decision has been welcomed across the league, reflecting the NFL’s ongoing effort to globalize the sport and introduce it to new audiences through international exposure.

Debate Continues Over Controversial “Tush Push” Play

While the flag football vote passed without issue, the same cannot be said for the hotly debated “tush push” play. Also known as the quarterback push, the maneuver was popularized by the Philadelphia Eagles and involves teammates pushing the quarterback forward during short-yardage situations.

The Green Bay Packers revived efforts to ban the play, proposing a rule that would outlaw any pushing, pulling, lifting, or encircling of a runner by offensive players. If passed, violations would incur a 10-yard penalty. The proposed change mirrors a ban the league attempted two decades ago but eventually reversed due to enforcement difficulties.

To move forward, the ban needs approval from 24 of the league’s 32 teams. So far, support has been mixed. While teams like the Buffalo Bills have backed the proposal, citing player safety, data has not conclusively shown a heightened injury risk. Nevertheless, the play has stirred concern over both safety and the aesthetics of the game, with critics comparing it to a rugby scrum.

Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie has been a vocal defender of the play, highlighting its strategic design and effectiveness, especially since its integration with quarterback Jalen Hurts’ arrival in 2020. Lurie argues that aesthetics are subjective and that the game has always evolved, noting that even the forward pass was once controversial.

Despite these concerns, the NFL Commissioner expressed hope that the owners could reach a consensus, acknowledging the debate’s focus on both competitive integrity and entertainment value.

The conversation is expected to heat up later this year when the Packers host the Eagles on Monday Night Football, November 10—a matchup that could be pivotal in the NFC playoff race.

Lions Push for Playoff Seeding Reform

In addition to the flag football and “tush push” discussions, the Detroit Lions submitted a proposal to revise the NFL’s playoff seeding system. The suggested change would base seeding strictly on overall win-loss records, removing the automatic home-field advantage currently granted to division winners. This reform could have significant implications, particularly in cases like the previous season, when the Los Angeles Rams secured a home playoff game despite a weaker overall record.

More Competition Rule Changes Under Review

NFL owners are also evaluating multiple proposals from the competition committee aimed at increasing the success rate of onside kicks. These changes are part of a broader effort to improve the excitement and fairness of game outcomes, especially during late-game comebacks.

As discussions continue through the offseason, the NFL remains focused on enhancing both the safety and entertainment value of the game, while exploring new avenues like Olympic participation to grow the sport globally.

About The Author

Ama Oprah

See author's posts