The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognized flag football’s growing international appeal and chose to add it to the Olympic program. This is the first time flag football will be a part of the Olympic Games. It is a non-contact sport with ‘tackles’ made by removing one of two fabric ‘flags’ attached to the ball-carrier’s waist – one on each side. This is the first time flag football will be a part of the Olympic Games. The Olympic flag football competition will consist of six men’s teams and six women’s teams composed of 10 players per team, with the game itself a five-on-five format. Games will be played on a 50-yard field with no linemen.
Flag football started out as a means of recreation for American soldiers during World War II who then brought the game back home with them. Fort Meade in Maryland is said to have hosted the first games of flag football. It was originally called ‘Touch and Tail football’ before the name ‘flag football’ was adopted after the war. The National Touch Football League was founded in the 1960’s in St. Louis, Missouri.
The United States is the pre-eminent nation in flag football. They have won the last four men’s titles at the World Championship and took gold at the 2022 World Games led by quarterback Darrell ‘Housh’ Doucette. Doucette compared tackle football and flag football to tennis and table tennis. His sport has a shorter field, a different system for downs and different penalties that don’t exist in the NFL.  According to the NFL, NFL player participation with their countries’ national flag football teams will begin with a tryout or qualification process in advance of the Olympic competition.

Darrell ‘Housh’ Doucette has emerged as one of the biggest names in the sport. He hopes he and his fellow flag footballers get a fair chance to make the 10-man roster. “This is a sport that we’ve played for a long time, and we feel like we are the best at it and we don’t need other guys,” Doucette said. “But we all have one goal in mind, and that’s to represent our country. We’re definitely open to all competition. If those guys come in and ball out and they’re better than us, hats off to them. Go win that gold medal for our country.”
The NFL voted to permits any player under an NFL contract to try out for a future Olympic flag football team. The players are not tied to the U.S. team and will likely be allowed to participate on teams of national ancestry as they do on Olympic basketball teams. The resolution also mandates that each Olympic flag football roster can include no more than one player from the same NFL team. Commissioner Roger Goodell has made it clear that the league will not determine the makeup of any nation’s team.
“USA Football will select the Olympic team, not the NFL,” Goodell said firmly in a recent press appearance, ending speculation that the league might try to take a lead role in fielding Team USA. The league does view this this as an opportunity to showcase a version of its brand. Flag football’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympics represents a major step in expanding the sport’s global footprint. Not long after the decision to allow flag football in the Olympics was announced, the NFL made plans to begin working with the N.F.L.P.A. Reports are the league has hopes of the NFL possibly building its own version of a “Dream Team.”

I.M.H.O.

The National Football League currently has the most watched sport in the country. Roger Godell would be foolish to try to make major changes to the sport. However, there is a great opportunity for the NFL to associate themselves with an increasingly popular version of itself. Tackle football has a long and storied history in American culture, and it’s unlikely to lose its popularity entirely. The two formats appeal to different audiences. Tackle football is still the dominant form for professional and collegiate play, while flag football is more focused on youth and recreational participation. However, a shot of high-profile, nationally known athletes could inject energy and interest capable of propelling a flag football surge.

The NFL is actively promoting and supporting flag football, including the potential for a professional flag football league. Flag football is a non-contact sport, reducing the risk of serious injuries, which is a major concern for some parents and coaches. Flag football is more inclusive and accessible than tackle football, attracting a wider range of participants. Flag football is a growing and important part of the football landscape, and the NFL is actively supporting its expansion. However, it is unlikely to replace tackle football entirely, but rather complement it as a sport that can be played by more people, globally.