The National Football League (NFL) is often described as self-absorbed, annoying, and incessant in its quest to remain omnipresent throughout the year. This imposing characteristic does not diminish its popularity among the masses. However, if there ever was a concept of something being ‘too popular,’ the NFL would be a prime example. It seems that the latest endeavor in its firing line is flag football.
Flag football is penciled in for a debut at the Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028. This inclusion can be attributed to the NFL’s excessive obsession to assert its dominance. There is talk of the NFL wanting their active players to represent the United States, particularly at the Los Angeles games.
This line of thinking could be deemed myopic for a couple of reasons. To kick things off, the game rules in flag football significantly differ from those of the NFL. The roles of the players in a flag football team are also vastly different. It distances itself from the NFL’s brand of football and possesses a unique style of its own.
The offensive gameplay in flag football often mimics the intricacy of the Harlem Globetrotters and their ball handling. Even the player typically known as the quarterback can wind up as a receiver. On the other hand, the defensive player known as the blitzer has to self-identify by raising his hand.
It’s important to note the United States already has a national flag football team that boasts an impressive track record. Over the last five world championships, the U.S. flag football team emerged victoriously. They delivered a crushing defeat to Austria, with a scoreline of 52-21, in the 2024 world championship.
The existing players of the U.S. flag football team are seasoned winners who have mastered the sport like no other. One then wonders if the motive behind such reinforcements is to deliver a gold medal, or simply to unnecessarily expose the NFL more, at the risk of a gold medal.
But it seems like the concept of ‘enough’ is alien to the NFL’s vocabulary. Instead, the term that resonates with them more readily is ‘more.’ Despite what it might cost them, the NFL shows no sign of relenting in its pursuit for more exposure.
Regardless, this game of power comes with little risk for the NFL. Their fight isn’t against the flag football players. They wouldn’t dare, especially if defeat seems likely. Instead, the NFL’s strategy is to slowly but surely sideline flag football and claim the limelight for itself.
The NFL’s bullying nature is a well-known attribute of its character. This tendency to suppress others has become a constant in their operational style. It seems that the NFL is determined to step on the flag football community, despite their proven prowess in the field.
As one flag football team member puts it poignantly, ‘We’ve played this sport for quite some time and we believe that we’re the best at it without needing anyone else.’
The need of the hour is for the NFL to step aside and let flag football flourish on its own. Insisting on meddling in a sport that’s already been perfected just for the sake of gaining more status and exposure, seems like an unnecessary battle for the NFL to pick.
At the very least, the NFL should respect the outcomes of the games. If the flag football players managed to win fair and square, they should be the ones heading to the Olympics. There’s no need for the NFL to make use of its influence to push its players into the mix.