The football world is buzzing with excitement after the announcement that Flag Football will be an olympic sport in 2028.
"We've been really trying to get to that level where we can get into the Olympics. We played in the World Games. But I think now that the NFL's backing and supporting it...it shows the sport is ready to be at that level" Patrick Alley explained. He's the Assistant Coach for USA Football and the head coach of the Dallas team in the American Flag Football League.
The recognition of flag football as an Olympic sport has garnered support from former NFL stars such as Dez Bryant and Rob Gronkowski, both expressing their eagerness to participate in the Olympic Games. Even current All-Pros like Dallas Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons, and Miami Dolphins wideout Tyreek Hill say they want to play.
Is it really possible top NFL stars could compete for gold? Alley says they could.
"If an NFL player is available and wants to try and do it, then, yeah, they could definitely learn how to play the game and avoid the contact," Coach Alley explained. "You're talking about the best football players in the world. So if they want to learn how to do it in the next few years and actually craft their game for that style, then, yes, they could do that."
But Alley's admission comes with some big "ifs."
"As far as guys like Dez and Gronk, if they are interested and if I'm coaching USA football, then I think they're gonna have to earn their opportunity," Alley said.
"It's a non contact sport. And when they play that style, they're gonna have to really, really adjust their game.
"I would be open to, and I'm sure USA Football would be open to giving them a tryout and putting them with all the guys that have been doing it for years, and seeing if they are that much better than the guys we have.
"We're definitely going to want to put the best team on the field to win the gold medal game. I can tell you that USA Football is not an organization that's going to just, because you have a name, put you on the field and see if you can make it happen," Alley added. "USA Football's number one priority is going to be to win gold...the organization is always going to put the country first."
The unique appeal of flag football as an Olympic sport lies in its ability to provide an avenue for countries to challenge the dominant American football culture.
Unlike tackle football, which requires physical attributes and extensive training from a young age, flag football offers a more inclusive playing field.
"Flag is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Size not being a major factor in flag football allows other countries to compete with the United States and everybody else as long as you just train and learn the game," observed Coach Alley.
The inclusion of flag football in the Olympics is expected to have a profound impact on the AFFL (American Flag Football League), which already offers youth and women's competition, and is starting their men's league in 2024.
"I think this announcement is going to make a sport that's already one of the number one fastest growing sports in the whole world (grow even more). The growth is gonna be crazy," Coach Alley declared.
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