Which Lions Make The Cut For Olympic Flag Football Team?

The NFL is letting players join Olympic flag football in 2028—so which Detroit Lions have the speed and skills to shine on the global stage?

Flag Football

I played a lot of flag football as a kid. It was mainly in elementary and junior high school, but I think it was a way for teachers to keep us from playing tackle football and getting hurt.

I never really thought about flag football again until recently, when it was announced to be a part of the 2028 Summer Olympics. It seems breakdancing had its moment in the Olympics, and now flag football has stepped in to take the spotlight.

Flag football has steadily grown in popularity over the years, from youth leagues to high schools and colleges. I did find out that Olympic flag football will not be coed, but there will be both men's and women's divisions.

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What Detroit Lions Should Be a Part of the U.S. Olympic Flag Football Team?

It might have been fun to see NFL players play flag football during the Pro Bowl celebrations in Orlando, Florida, back in February, but playing on an Olympic team means several games.

Let's not forget it was almost a year ago that Lions' defensive end Aidan Hutchinson was injured and out for the season. Detroit had more injured defensive players last year than any other NFL team, so to ask the question, "What Lions players should be on the Olympic flag football team?"  No one on the defense. I’m just joking… sort of.

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I'm going to be honest and selfish, I hope none of the Detroit Lions play flag football in the Olympics. Flag football is more speed-based and involves less contact. Below is a hypothetical list of players who could pull off Olympic flag football:

• Alex Anzalone - LB
• Jake Bates - K
• Brian Branch - DB
• Jahmyr Gibbs - RB
• Jared Goff - QB
• Aidan Hutchinson
• Kerby Joseph - S
• Sam LaPorta - TE
• Dominic Lovett - WR
• Giovanni Manu - OL
• Alim McNeil - DL
• David Montgomery - RB
• Michael Niese - OL
• Frank Ragnow - C
• Craig Reynolds - RB
• Penei Sewell - T
• Amon-Ra St. Brown - WR
• Jameson Williams - WR

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