As it is now official that NFL players can participate in the 2028 Olympics, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, a longtime advocate for flag football at the Olympics, discussed his chance of playing for Team USA. Jefferson’s statements express both enthusiasm and a practical outlook regarding the physical requirements of the NFL and the aspiration for Olympic gold.
Vikings Star Justin Jefferson Reflects on Potential Olympic Flag Football Future
NFL owners voted unanimously (32-0) during their spring meeting in Minneapolis to allow ͏players to try out for national flag football teams. NFL Commissioner Ro͏ger͏ Good͏ell called it “an incredible honor for any athlete to ͏represent their country in the ͏Olympics, which is ͏the pinnacle of global sport,” ͏adding that the move had “sparked a ͏tremendous amount of excitement among NFL players.”
My full @nflnetwork interview with #Vikings superstar Justin Jefferson and Brian Asamoah at the Spring League Meeting on NFL players going to the 2028 Olympics, Team USA’s QB1, chemistry with J.J. McCarthy, lots more. pic.twitter.com/T61U4cu6k5
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero)
Jefferson, who has been a global ambassador for flag football since 2023, acknowledged the moment’s significance. “It grew tremendously. I mean, now, just like you said, today is a big day, you know, for NFL players to be allowed to play in the Olympics,” he said.
He emphasized how special the opportunity feels for players who once watched the Olympics as children. “As kids, you know, we grew up watching the Olympics and just wishing to be a part of it in some type of way to compete for a gold medal and to compete worldwide. But we never had the, you know, the sport to play worldwide.”
The wide receiver, who helped break the news alongside teammate Brian Asamoah II, spoke about what the Olympic Games mean to him personally. “It’s something that’s so special,” Jefferson said. “Even though it’s three years down the line, and there’s still planning, just to think about the chances of playing in the Olympics and getting the gold medal is a dream.”
When asked whether fans could expect to see a Jefferson Team USA jersey, he offered a measured response. “I don’t know. This is like you said, it’s three years from now. So there’s a lot of, a lot of things that go on to, you know, we play this game and sport. We don’t, we don’t play flag football. You know, we play full-on football.” He added, “Hopefully… it doesn’t have a toll on my body. And I’m able to, you know, be out there and compete for my country.”
NFL executive Troy Vincent said he expects the move to place “America’s game on the world stage,” comparing it to the NBA’s Dream Team effect. The league sees the 2028 Games as a trial run, especially with the convenience of the Los Angeles location minimizing travel challenges.
