Sean Payton would be 'surprised' if NFL players earn Team USA flag football roster spots for 2028 Olympics
Why it matters: The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will feature flag football, but NFL stars face a significant hurdle to represent Team USA.
- Sean Payton would be 'surprised' if even one NFL player makes the 2028 Olympic flag football roster, a stark contrast to initial expectations of many NFL players joining.
- Team USA, composed of professional flag football players, 'demolished' NFL-heavy teams at the Fanatics Flag Football Classic, demonstrating their specialized skills and comfort with the game's nuances.
- Joe Burrow showed some highlights and expressed a desire to compete, but Payton believes it would take 'a month or two' of dedicated training for NFL players to acclimate, potentially conflicting with their NFL commitments.
- Robert Griffin III, a former NFL quarterback, is a strong contender for the Team USA roster, having been invited to camp to compete for a spot on the 12-man squad for the world championship in August.
Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton expressed significant doubt that NFL players will secure spots on the 2028 Olympic Team USA flag football roster, despite the NFL's approval for their participation. His skepticism stems from the recent Fanatics Flag Football Classic, where a professional flag football Team USA decisively defeated NFL-heavy rosters, highlighting the distinct skill set required for the sport.
