BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Could we see Josh Allen donning a Team USA uniform at the 2028 Olympics?
The Bills quarterback said he would “love to” play flag football at the Los Angeles Olympics for his home country in three years.
Flag football is being introduced as an Olympic sport for the first time in 2028. Last month, NFL owners approved a proposal that would allow one player per team to play for Team USA, plus allowing each team’s designated international player to play for his home country.
“I’m not going to disrespect the guys that are playing flag football right now, but if there was an opportunity for me to try I would absolutely love to,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to compete for my country.”
The Bills designated international player is offensive tackle Travis Clayton, who hails from England.
Other NFL quarterbacks that have been mentioned to potentially play for Team USA include Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson, Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes and Washington’s Jayden Daniels.
Current Team USA flag football players have expressed concern with NFL stars maybe playing at the Olympics and desire a fair shot at making the team.
“The flag guys deserve their opportunity. That’s all we want,” Team USA quarterback Darrell Doucette told the Washington Post last month. “We felt like we worked hard to get the sport to where it’s at, and then when the NFL guys spoke about it, it was like we were getting kicked to the side.”
USA Football, not the NFL, will have the final say in selecting players for the Olympic roster.
“I think there’s really no greater honor than to [play in the Olympics]. It would be really cool,” Allen said. “But I guess we’ll find out.”
Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here.