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The NFL shared a video on Monday, August 5, celebrating the addition of flag football to the Olympic Games, which will make its debut at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
The video features Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who has proven to be a divisive pick given that some NFL fans don’t even think he’ll be selected for the 2028 roster, while others believe it confirms his as being one of the faces of the league.
The video features Hurts tossing a flaming football into the torch above the Los Angeles Memorial Collesium, setting it ablaze, and the caption “It’s our turn to light up the LA28 Olympic Game” — Hurts also says “It’s our turn” in the video.
It’s our turn to light up the LA28 Olympic Games. #NextUpLA28 pic.twitter.com/PEgQOqpmUx
— NFL (@NFL) August 5, 2024
“Jalen Hurts, face of the NFL… Has a nice ring to it,” said one viral tweet.
“Jalen Hurts’ trash ass won’t be on the team,” said an apparent Houston Texans fan in response to the video.
In a statement, the NFL said that Hurts is the league’s “global flag ambassador.” Women’s flag football is also being introduced at the 2028 Olympics. The decision to add flag football to the Olympics was announced by The International Olympic Committee (IOC) in October 2023.
“The Olympic handover from Paris to Los Angeles is an amazing opportunity to have our global flag ambassador Jalen Hurts kickstart the excitement around the inclusion of men’s and women’s flag football in the 2028 program,” said Peter O’Reilly, the NFL’s executive vice president of club business, international and league events.
“As one of the fastest growing sports globally, flag football has incredible momentum, and LA28 will spotlight the sport at the highest level and on the world’s biggest stage.”
Given that playing flag football is much safer than tackle football, it’s likely that NFL stars will be lining up to represent the United States when the Los Angeles Olympics roll around in four years.
In 2028, Hurts will be 30 years old, which would certainly put him in contention to be Team USA’s starting QB. Patrick Mahomes, however, will be 32 years old and likely still in the prime of his career, likely giving the three-time (and counting) Super Bowl winner first dibs on the job. Other QBs who could potentially be selected are CJ Stroud (will be 27), Jordan Love (29), Lamar Jackson (31), and Joe Burrow (31).