Could American Football work as an Olympic sport?

[Dead2009]

Out of all the major sports, American Football hasn't been one of them. I am fully aware of the physicality of the sport, but some could say rugby is just as intense and is an olympic sport. Thoughts?

[tril]

within the next 4 years no.

it would probably take 8-12 years to debut even if they decided to inculde football in the olympics.

there is also provisional consideration for the 2024 olympics. but its says it would be something like a 7 on 7.
also it said the NFl and the interantional group are tryying to get flag football included in the 2028 olympics.

[IlluminatusUIUC]

The only way it would work is to invite 8 teams to do a single elimination bracket, and team USA would have to limit itself to undrafted or free agent players. I doubt there is the interest for a full 11x11 game either.

[reyes the roof]

I couldn’t see any NFL players or college players with hopes of making it to the NFL risking injury to participate

[p_rushing]

This doesn't work because you can't play enough games in the 2 weeks.

Flag football works or some type of shortened game or smaller rosters.

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[mercalnd]

Aside from what other have said, I don't see the point of including a sport that is only significantly played in one country in the Olympics.

[Dead2009]

Quote: Originally Posted by mercalnd

Aside from what other have said, I don't see the point of including a sport that is only significantly played in one country in the Olympics.

Actually from the looks of it, quite a few countries play american football
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o..._North_America

[RockinDaMike]

No way. The teams are too big for 1. I can't think of any sport in the Olympics where the teams are bigger than 20 members.

Rugby would be a comparison but they went with a 7 player squad for Olympics vs a 15 man squad in normal Rugby rules.

2. Length of 1 game is too long.

3. You'll need multiple Football fields for a sport that's not popular anywhere else. Imagine Rio, Tokyo, China building American football fields? What a waste of money. Sure you can probably convert it to Soccer fields but man, can you imagine Soccer and American football being played on the same field? That grass has no chance.


4. Most events only give you one day maybe 2 days of rest between matches and that's not possible for American football players with how physical it is.


I could see a 7 man team like how Rugby does it or make it flag football which i think would be exciting to watch. I honestly see Ultimate Frisbee be a sport in the Olympics before football does.