Ja’Marr Chase Hesitant on 2028 Olympics Flag Football: NFL Star Eyes Logistics

Cincinnati Bengals' star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is hitting the brakes on Olympic dreams for the 2028 Los Angeles Games, where flag football will make its debut. Speaking after the first day of organized team activities, Chase expressed skepticism about joining the global stage, citing unanswered questions about logistics, compensation, and scheduling. "I don’t know," he admitted, emphasizing the need for clarity on how participation would mesh with NFL players’ offseasons and personal lives.

The NFL’s recent unanimous vote to allow players to compete in the Olympics opens a golden opportunity for pros to chase medals, a prospect many have long coveted. Yet, Chase’s hesitation reflects a broader uncertainty among some athletes about balancing professional and Olympic commitments. Meanwhile, the flag football community is buzzing with tension. Darrell Doucette III, quarterback for the top-ranked U.S. men’s national flag football team, stirred the pot last year by claiming superiority over NFL stars like Patrick Mahomes in the sport. Doucette insists that NFL players should earn their Olympic spots through tryouts, just as flag football veterans have.

With Los Angeles hosting the Summer Games for the first time since 1984, the inclusion of flag football promises to blend NFL star power with grassroots talent. Whether Chase and other pros will embrace the challenge or stick to the gridiron remains a question mark. One thing’s clear: the road to gold will be paved with competition, both on and off the field.