NFL owners approved a measure Tuesday that would allow players to participate in flag football during the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, but don’t expect to see Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown on the field.
Brown told reporters Tuesday during the team’s minicamp that he would decline an Olympic invitation if offered.
“I heard the Olympics is during camp, so no,” Brown said. “That would be tough, but hopefully that goes through. I think that’ll be fun just to compete, but for me personally, no. You know you guys will be complaining about ‘A.J. Brown is not at camp,’ and so will the fans, so I’m going to focus and keep the main thing the main thing as Jay (Jalen Hurts) says.”
Brown hasn’t always opposed Olympic participation. In 2023, he expressed interest in the international competition, though age could factor in his decision.
“I want to win a gold medal,” Brown said. “I didn’t do the math well but might turn 30 when it happens. I’m disappointed it’s not next year.”
Brown also named players he wanted on his Olympic team, including several teammates.
“At quarterback, I have to go with Jalen Hurts,” Brown said. “I would have myself at wide receiver, or even Justin Jefferson and Tyreek Hill, and Dallas Goedert at tight end because I want to be biased. I do not even have to start. I just want a gold medal.”
His reasons for bypassing the flag football event show he’s more focused on winning additional Super Bowls to further cement his NFL legacy rather than pursuing an Olympic medal.
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Chris Franklin may be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com.