Tom Brady, the legendary quarterback, may be contemplating a return to competitive play as flag football gears up for its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028.
When asked about the possibility of representing Team USA, Brady, now 47, expressed his enduring competitive spirit. “I’m still very competitive,” he remarked during an interview with Complex Sports on June 4. “If you put a football in my hand, then watch out. Because that’s still in there. That’s never going to go away.”
Flag football was officially recognized as an Olympic sport in October 2023, just months after Brady announced his retirement from the NFL.
Brady's enthusiasm remained intact even when informed that the Olympic format would feature 5-on-5 teams rather than the traditional 7-on-7. “It doesn’t matter what it is,” he stated confidently.
In a significant move, NFL owners voted last month to permit NFL players to participate in flag football at the Olympics. Each national team will comprise 10 players, competing on a 50-yard field. Notably, women’s flag football will also be included under similar regulations.
While Brady's interest is piqued, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes expressed a different sentiment. “I’ll probably leave that to the younger guys,” Mahomes, 29, said on May 29, acknowledging that he would be 32 by the time the Olympics arrive.
As Mahomes contemplates his future, other NFL players are excited about the opportunity. Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones shared his enthusiasm, stating, “Flag football players may be upset at me for this, but yes, I would absolutely love it. Every other sport gets an opportunity to win a gold medal, and if you’re not serving your country in the military, I feel like that’s the other highest honor that you can represent your country in.”
Teammate Justin Jefferson also weighed in on the prospect of Olympic participation. “It’s three years from now; it’s three whole seasons that I’m going to have to go through,” Jefferson, 25, noted. “Of course, getting older, my body is going to be different, but that’s definitely always been a dream. It’s always been something I wanted to do—compete for your country against all of the other countries in the rest of the world.”
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