**NFL Star Ja’Marr Chase Weighs Olympic Participation for 2028 Games**
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is uncertain about competing in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. After the first day of organized team activities (OTAs), Chase shared his reservations with reporters, emphasizing the need for more information before making a decision. “I don’t know,” he stated. “I want to hear more information about it. I want to know the timing for us, offseason, in season. I want to know if we’re getting paid. I want to know where we’re traveling every other week or every day; all that plays a part because we have an offseason, we have a life. How long would that be? I don’t know.”
Flag football will make its Olympic debut in 2028, providing NFL players with a unique opportunity to earn a gold medal while representing the United States—a long-held aspiration for many professional athletes. Recently, NFL owners unanimously approved a motion allowing players to participate, mirroring a similar decision made by the NHL last year.
While many NFL players are enthusiastic about the chance to compete, tensions have surfaced within the flag football community. Darrell Doucette III, the quarterback for the U.S. men’s national flag football team, previously claimed he was superior to Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the context of flag football. He expressed a desire for NFL players to undergo tryouts, similar to the current flag football athletes.
“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 told The Washington Post. “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.”
As the 2028 Olympics approach, the conversation around NFL participation in flag football continues to evolve, with both excitement and apprehension from various stakeholders.
**FAQ**
**Will NFL players participate in the 2028 Olympics?**
Yes, NFL players have been granted permission to participate in the 2028 Summer Olympics, where flag football will be featured for the first time.
