Patrick Mahomes has ruled out representing the United States in flag football at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, admitting he will “leave that to the younger guys” when the Games take place in three years time.
The 29-year-old Kansas City Chiefs quarterback had previously expressed interest in taking part, but the three-time Super Bowl winner, who would turn 33 shortly after the LA Games, ruled out participation during the Chiefs’ off-season organised team activities.
“I’ll probably leave that to the younger guys,” said Mahomes. “I’ll be a little older by the time that comes around.
“It’s awesome. Honestly, just to be able to showcase the NFL to the whole world through flag football.”
PFF ranked Patrick the No. 1 quarterback heading into this season 💪
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) May 31, 2025
Mahomes’ decision comes just days after team owners unanimously passed a resolution that will allow NFL players to participate in flag football’s Olympic debut.
At the NFL’s spring league meeting in Minnesota in May, it was confirmed that each participating nation would be permitted to select one player per NFL team, plus each team’s designated international player may be selected.
A variation on the traditional gridiron game, flag football limits contact between players, who, instead of tackling players to the ground, must remove a flag or flag belt from the ball carrier – known as ‘deflagging’ – to end a down.
The sport, invented in the US, has a strong amateur but will make its Olympic bow in LA after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved the sport in 2023.
