Making His Flag Football Intentions Clear, Joe Burrow Aspires to Win Gold Medal for USA in LA Olympics

Joe Burrow’s ultimate goal as an NFL quarterback is to win the Super Bowl. But as an athlete and a proud U.S. citizen, the 29-year-old’s bigger dream is bringing home a gold medal for his country at the Olympics.

With Flag Football set to make its debut as an official event at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, numerous current and former NFL players have expressed interest in representing the USA national team. Burrow is one of them.

While attending the Fanatics Flag Football’s event in LA this week, the Bengals signal-caller said:

When this [LA Summer Olympics] got announced, I was pretty excited about it. The opportunity to win a gold medal, you know, that’s something that I’ve thought about a moment like that for a long time… since I was a kid. I think it will be something very special.

"The opportunity to win a gold medal, I've thought about a moment like that since I was a kid."

Joe Burrow on the mic in Los Angeles before the Flag Football Classic Saturday on @FOX19. #Bengals star no doubt plans to compete in the Olympics in 2028. pic.twitter.com/KOkKGJHelN

— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) March 20, 2026

Can Joe Burrow play for the USA Flag Football team at the LA Summer Olympics in 2028?

For a long time, NFL players have searched for options to compete in the Olympics. But American football, not to be confused with soccer, has never been part of the Olympics, unlike basketball.

After the announcement that flag football would be an official event at the LA Summer Olympics, football players urged team owners to allow them to compete. Although NFL owners weren’t in favor of the idea, holding the Olympics in July could create scheduling conflicts and raise the risk of injuries.

After nearly two years of discussions, NFL owners have finally agreed to allow players to take part in flag football. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said (HT/Front Office Sports):

I know first-hand that the inclusion of flag football in the Olympics has sparked a tremendous amount of excitement among NFL players interested in the chance to compete for their country on the world stage. We are thrilled that they will now have that chance.

The teams still need to follow some guidelines. Only one player from each NFL team can compete for a specific national team, so multiple players from the same franchise can participate—as long as they’re representing different countries. For example, Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce can’t play on the same team. However, Mahomes is eligible to play for the USA, while his Chiefs teammate George Karlaftis represents Greece.

Moreover, each NFL team’s designated International player may play for his country of birth, regardless of other players from the team competing. For example, Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown is half German from his mother’s side, so he is eligible to play for the European nation. When asked which country he would like to play for at the Olympics, St. Brown replied:

I think it’d be Team Germany. USA already has enough players. I mean, look out here. Like, it’s stacked. They got everyone here, so let me play for Team Germany.

If Joe Burrow wants to play flag football for the USA, he only needs to stay injury-free during the event. He will have stiff competition from Eagles QB Jalen Hurts, of course, Mahomes, and two-time MVP Lamar Jackson. Before that day arrives, Burrow must focus on winning the Super Bowl with the Bengals.

Also Read:

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