The NFL unanimously voted to allow its players to participate in flag football at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is among many who are excited about the league’s decision.
‘Just to think about the chances of playing in the Olympics and getting a gold medal, it’s a dream,’ Jefferson told reporters following the Tuesday announcement at the NFL’s spring meeting in Minneapolis.
Jefferson was named one of the NFL’s global flag football ambassadors in 2023. He has since worked with the league to raise the fast-growing sport’s profile.
Even so, the 25-year-old never expected the work to so quickly lead to a potential opportunity to compete in the Olympics.
‘Just reverting back to being a kid and watching the track and field meets, watching basketball win the gold medal – that’s something that as a kid, I always wanted to be a part of,’ Jefferson said. ‘But football wasn’t [global.] So now that we’re expanding the game and we’re going more globally, it’s pretty cool.’
While Jefferson is interested in potentially participating in the 2028 Olympics, he noted he would take time to weigh his decision to play, as the Summer Games aren’t for another three years.
‘I definitely would look forward to it if it came down to it, but that’s something I have to ask myself,’ Jefferson said of participating in the Olympics, per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor.
Jefferson isn’t the only NFL player considering participating in the Olympics. Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill are among the most notable players to express an interest in playing flag football at the Los Angeles Games.
Like Jefferson, those athletes figure to take time to contemplate their decisions, but the NFL’s ruling has at least cleared a path for those stars to compete for spots on the Olympic team if they so desire.
