Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson was left “at a loss of words” after moving a step closer to the dream of playing for an Olympic gold medal, though he refused to officially commit to compete at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
The NFL on Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution allowing its players to compete in the men’s flag football tournament at the Olympics. Flag football will make its Olympic debut in three years’ time.
Having been backed by all 32 owners, the resolution permits each NFL team to send one player to the Olympics, in addition to designated international players. The specifics of players being allowed to participate still need to be ironed out with various parties, including the NFL Players Association, national governing bodies and Olympic officials.
But Jefferson, a global flag football ambassador, is thrilled at potentially having the opportunity to shine on the Olympic stage.
“I’m just at a loss of words,” the four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver said. “Just to think about the chances of playing in the Olympics and getting a gold medal is a dream, just reverting back to being a kid and watching the track and field meets, watching basketball win the gold medal.
“That’s something that as a kid I always wanted to be a part of, but football wasn’t global. So now that we’re expanding the game and we’re going more global, it’s pretty cool.”
Yet, with the Games far from being on the horizon, Jefferson was unwilling to definitively say if he will play.
“That’s the decision I’ll definitely have to weigh in a little bit,” Jefferson added.
“It’s three years from now, it’s three whole seasons that I’m going to have to go through. Of course, getting older, body is going to be different, but that’s definitely always been a dream.
“It’s always been something I always wanted to do, compete for your country versus all of the other countries in the rest of the world.
“I definitely would look forward to it if it came down to it, but that’s definitely something to ask myself and see what’s right.”
