History of Flag Football
What is Flag Football?
Flag football is a variant of American football (or gridiron) where the aim is to advance up the pitch via a series of offensive plays into the opposition’s defensive end zone. 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.
By whom, where and when was Flag Football invented?
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.
Flag football is scheduled to be introduced as an Olympic sport at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
The inclusion of flag football in the Olympics is a significant milestone, particularly for the sport's growth and recognition on a global scale. The International Olympic Committee approved the addition after the Los Angeles 2028 Organizing Committee recommended it. Flag football will be one of five new sports at the LA28 Olympics, along with cricket, squash, baseball / softball and lacrosse, with only two out of 90 members voting "no".
Owners to discuss resolution to allow NFL players to participate in flag football at 2028 Olympics
The NFL has heard the calls to involve its stars in the upcoming Olympics debut of flag football.
NFL owners will discuss a resolution at next week's Spring League Meeting that would allow NFL players to participate in flag football during the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, the league announced on Thursday.
The resolution would permit no more than one player from each team to participate in the 2028 Olympics, plus each team's designated international player, clearing the way for NFL participation on clubs outside of the United States.
"The membership believes that participation by NFL players in flag football during the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California will support such growth and advance several league interests, including increasing fan and public interest in flag football, expanding the global reach of the NFL," the resolution stated.
Since flag football was announced as an official sport for the 2028 Olympics, fans far and wide have pleaded for the NFL to allow its stars to participate in the games.
The league was already a few steps ahead of this process when, in 2023, it evolved the Pro Bowl into the Pro Bowl Games, which included the marquee flag football event on Sunday.
Now, it appears they're moving closer to making this a reality. The NFL can effectively compile a dream team of pro players for Team USA (and beyond), but not without guardrails.
Among the other rules the resolution specified for NFL player participation in the Olympics:
- "Appropriate injury protection and salary cap credit" would be provided for any player who is injured while participating in "flag football activities related to the 2028 Olympic Games."
- Olympic teams would agree to "implement certain minimum standards for medical staff and field surfaces."
- The schedule for flag football games and related events would not "unreasonably conflict" with a player's league and team commitments.
If passed -- which would require a vote of 24 out of 32 owners -- expect a significant increase in flag football interest. Fans will immediately start dreaming of star-studded rosters, and while the United States leads the way in terms of talent cultivation, the NFL's reach will stretch beyond the 50 states, adding more intrigue to the debut of the sport in 2028.
