NFL Star Joe Burrow Eyes Olympic Flag Football Bid

Cincinnati Bengals QB wants to represent Team USA at 2028 Olympics, raising questions about the future of the Games.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 4:13pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a flag football game, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in vibrant colors, conveying the dynamic and strategic nature of the sport.The Olympic dream of NFL stars like Joe Burrow competing in flag football raises questions about the future of the Games and the balance between professional sports and traditional Olympic disciplines.Cincinnati Today

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has expressed interest in competing for Team USA's flag football team at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Burrow's ambition to play on the Olympic stage, despite his NFL stardom, reflects a broader trend of professional athletes seeking new challenges beyond their primary sports. However, the transition from the NFL to Olympic-level flag football raises questions about the performance gap between elite football players and dedicated flag football specialists.

Why it matters

Burrow's desire to compete in the Olympics speaks to the universal appeal of the Games, but it also highlights the evolving relationship between professional sports and the Olympic arena. As the Olympics open its doors to more professional athletes, it raises questions about the balance between tradition and commercialization, as well as the impact on athletes who have dedicated their lives to Olympic sports.

The details

While Burrow's NFL skills and athleticism are undeniable, flag football requires a different set of skills and specialized training that NFL players may lack. At the Fanatics Flag Football Classic, Burrow and other NFL players struggled to keep up with dedicated flag football athletes, underscoring the unique demands of the sport. If Team USA wants to contend for gold in 2028, they'll need to prioritize flag football expertise over star power.

  • Burrow expressed his desire to compete in the 2028 Olympics in April 2026.
  • The 2028 Summer Olympics are scheduled to take place in Los Angeles, California.

The players

Joe Burrow

The starting quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL, Burrow has expressed interest in competing for Team USA's flag football team at the 2028 Olympics.

Fanatics Flag Football Classic

An event where Burrow and other NFL players competed against dedicated flag football athletes, highlighting the performance gap between the two sports.

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What they’re saying

“I've always wanted to play in the Olympics.”

— Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals Quarterback

What’s next

The 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles will be the first to feature flag football as an official event. It remains to be seen whether Burrow or other NFL stars will be able to make the Team USA roster and compete at the highest level of flag football.

The takeaway

Burrow's Olympic ambitions highlight the evolving relationship between professional sports and the Olympic Games. While the inclusion of NFL players could bring more attention to flag football, it also raises concerns about the potential dilution of the sport's authenticity and the impact on athletes who have dedicated their lives to Olympic sports.