Tyreek Hill Dreams of Olympic Flag Football Super Team

Tyreek Hill, the NFL star, recently expressed excitement over the possibility of assembling a “super team” for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, where flag football will debut as one of five new sports. Hill’s enthusiasm echoes the nostalgic sentiment of the 1992 US men’s basketball “Dream Team” that captivated fans with its star-studded lineup, including Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird. “I grew up a fan of the Dream Team,” Hill said on his podcast, imagining the thrill of competing for a medal and encouraging NFL players to get involved.

Flag football, a fast-paced, non-contact variation of American football will feature a five-on-five format in the Olympics. Players wear flags on their waists instead of tackling, making it a platform for showcasing skill positions. This version of football, played by 20 million people globally, emphasizes agility and strategy without the physical contact of traditional football. Interest among NFL players is high with stars like Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill and Micah Parsons expressing eagerness to participate.

The NFL which supported flag football’s Olympic inclusion is working with teams, the NFL Players Association and USA Football to determine player eligibility and participation. Despite concerns about injuries, the league’s involvement suggests a strong possibility for NFL stars to compete. Internationally, other countries are also preparing for the competition. Teams from Germany, Great Britain and Nigeria are considering selecting professional players.

The US men’s team will seek to extend their dominance in the World Championships while the women’s team aims for a third consecutive title. However, in the 2022 World Games, the US women’s team faced a setback, losing to Mexico in the final.