Imagine flipping on the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and seeing Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, and Justin Jefferson suiting up, not for the NFL, but for Team USA in flag football. Sounds like a dream come true, right?

Well, it’s no longer a fantasy. NFL owners have officially voted unanimously to allow their players to compete in Olympic flag football. It’s a massive move, one that could give the sport its biggest spotlight ever. But as the buzz builds, so does the backlash.

Promoting its presence globally is something the NFL has tried for a while and Gain Sports has opened up a big opportunity for them. Commissioner Roger Goodell put it this way: “It’s an incredible honor for any athlete to represent their country in the Olympics, which is the pinnacle of global sport. 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.” As athletes like Mahomes and Jefferson have expressed their desire, fans have already gotten excited about the thought of athletes winning Olympic gold medals.

Yet, one of the confusing things is that flag football isn’t exactly “tackle football without the hits.” It’s a different game with different rules, strategies, and stars, and those stars aren’t necessarily in the NFL. Global flag football players have formed a thriving community and some are worried the NFL could take that away.

To keep things balanced, the NFL and Olympic bodies are setting boundaries. Only one player per NFL team can join the Olympic pool, and even NFL players will need to go through a tryout or qualification process to earn their spot; no automatic invites. The league is also working with the NFLPA, IFAF (flag football’s global governing body), and Olympic organizers on issues like injury protection, field standards, and off-season scheduling.

NFL owners voted to let players compete in flag football at the 2028 Olympics. The owners unanimously approved the plan, meaning every team agreed. This decision came because the league, players (including stars like Patrick Mahomes), and Olympic organizers wanted to bring American football’s non-contact version to the Olympics and showcase NFL talent on the world stage.

But the big question isn’t just whether Mahomes will suit up for gold, it’s whether flag football’s heart and soul will be protected in the process. For now, fans are frustrated.

Fans push back on NFL stars taking over the Olympics flag football

One fan chimed in, “Must be time for French cricket then if we’re putting in more nonsense. Breakdancing was bad enough.” For many traditional fans, the Olympics represent the pinnacle of athleticism, where the fastest sprinters, strongest weightlifters, and most skilled gymnasts battle after years of intense training. So when newer events like breakdancing, which debuted just in 2024, or flag football, a sport mostly popular in the U.S., are added, it can feel like the Games are leaning more toward entertainment than pure sport.

Flag football, unlike classic Olympic staples, lacks a deep international following and history. Critics argue this trend risks turning the Olympics into a showcase for American influence, especially with NFL players on the field, rather than a celebration of truly global competition.

Another fan voiced serious concerns about the physical risks involved, warning, “I can see another Robert Edwards injury happening again. Mark my words!!” Robert Edwards was a highly talented running back drafted by the New England Patriots in 1998. His promising NFL career was tragically derailed before it even began when he suffered a catastrophic knee injury during a kickoff return in a preseason game. The injury was so severe that it required multiple surgeries and forced Edwards to miss his entire rookie season, and although he eventually returned to play, he never fully regained his earlier form.

To address these concerns, the NFL has implemented several safeguards: players currently under NFL contracts can participate in tryouts, but only after careful vetting. The league will offer injury insurance for players competing in the Olympics, and teams will get salary cap relief if players miss games due to Olympic injuries. Olympic medical staff and fields must meet NFL safety standards, and scheduling will be arranged to avoid major conflicts with the NFL season.

Despite these measures, skepticism remains. Another fan expressed cultural frustration, stating, “Maybe a couple decades ago. Now the Olympics are just another facet of globohomo propaganda.”  Some fans are seriously calling out the whole NFL-flag-football-in-the-Olympics thing as just a marketing stunt. One dude straight up said, “This isn’t about sport. It’s about marketing. Just another flashy gimmick to sell jerseys and boost ratings.” And honestly, you can see where he’s coming from. Flag football is its own thing, fast, strategic, and growing worldwide, with players grinding hard for years to build it up.

That’s why another fan’s comment hits hard: “Feels like a slap in the face to actual flag football players who’ve been grinding for years without the spotlight.” These athletes have been hustling in their own right, putting in serious work to get flag football recognized globally. Then suddenly, here come the NFL stars, with all their fame and flash, ready to steal the show. It can feel like the sport they love is being overshadowed.

And then there’s the humor but real frustration in this one: “ngl if they let Tom Brady play I’m rioting. Enough is ENOUGh.” That just nails it. People want flag football to have its own identity, not turn into another stage for NFL legends to dominate. At the end of the day, the pushback isn’t just about who’s playing, it’s about keeping flag football real and not letting it get lost in big-league marketing moves.