CHARLOTTE— Let's be honest; we've all spent an incalculable amount of time watching the Olympics the past couple of weeks. The pageantry, the other-worldly athleticism, the camaraderie, rivalries and pride in one's home, it's intoxicating and the best kind of cinema.
In between the iconic shots of races ending at the Eiffel Tower and questions over what is actually in the river, the reminders have started dripping in more and more often. In a mere four years, the Summer Olympics will be back on American soil, with the 2028 Olympics hosted in Los Angeles.
And in true American fashion, we're taking things to the gridiron.
As announced last year, the 2028 Summer Olympics, for the first time ever, will feature flag-football. And as of now, the NFL and NFLPA are in talks to make sure active NFL players are there representing their countries. Just this week, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was named the Olympics flag football ambassador.
It's a heady possibility for a group of athletes who never thought it as an option.
Panthers safety Jordan Fuller has watched family members reach the pinnacle and come home with gold medals for Team USA. His brother's brother-in-law—whom he lovingly refers to as his family as well— is NBA two-time champion Jrue Holiday, who also won a gold medal in the 2020 (2021) Tokyo Olympics. Holiday's wife, Lauren Cheney Holiday, is a two-time Olympic gold medalist in 2008 and 2012, as part of Team USA Women's soccer.
But did Fuller ever think he'd have a chance at the Olympics?
"Never, never, not for football," he replied. "It would mean a whole lot. Since I've never had the thought, I don't even know how it would feel. I never really thought about being in the Olympics period, but I'm sure, I mean, it would be a special, special moment."
Receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette, on the other hand, has always dreamed of the Olympics.
He ran track most of his life and played water polo. There's really only one path for those who want to make a career out of water polo.
"My family always tell me like you could have went to the Olympics," he bragged. "The Olympics happening right now, my family always tells me like you could be there too. You can be there too.
"I honestly believe I could have been one of the best water polo players in the world. I feel like that. I was really, I would like to say I was really good. I don't want to toot my own horn, but I believe I was really good. I felt like I could have took it all the way. I definitely believe I could have won a gold medal or help the team win a gold medal win."
There was only one problem; "I just love football entirely."
But now, the chance to combine the love and the dream is on the horizon.
"As a matter of fact, Ihmir is going to be somebody's wide receiver one, come 2028."
He might have some competition at the position though from Jaycee Horn. The Panthers corner has been flashing his hands in training camp practice recently, and he wants those making the roster for Team USA to take notice.
"Athlete! Classify me as both. Whatever way I can get on the team, I don't care if its kicking," Horn declared.
Just the chance to compete for Team USA is enticing enough.
"I would definitely be on that team if I could represent Team USA, you know, I think I'd be dope," said offensive lineman Ikem Ekwonu, who said he'd even learn how to snap, just to be center for the flag football team. For that matter, he'd start training in track and field for the chance to go to the Olympics.
"If I had four years, all I was doing was throwing, shot putting and discus, I think I'd do some damage."
Millions watched this week as one of the best golfers in the world right now, Scottie Scheffler—who has won 12 times on the PGA Tour, including two Master's Tournaments—broke down crying on the medal stand after winning gold in Paris.
Novak Djokovic, already a legendary tennis player in his own right, did the same at Roland-Garros as he finally nabbed that elusive gold medal for Serbia.
"I think it's just cool to be a part of the Olympics, just being able to say you competed in the Olympic games and obviously winning a gold medal," Horn explained of the emotions. "It would be the story that you could tell your kids. That's a crazy opportunity to have, especially as a football player."
"Definitely representing my country at the highest stage to do that, that would be an honor," agreed tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders.
One guy who doesn't want to play at the 2028 Olympics? Linebacker Shaq Thompson. But that's because he has a slightly different plan in place.
"I want to go coach. I'd be the energizer guy. I bring all the juice you know what I mean," he pitched to the Team USA committee.
Thompson ran the 100 and 200 meter in high school as part of his track and field team, as well as long jump. He was invited to the junior Olympics, but didn't go because the man dedicated to football, "didn't really take track that seriously."
With the years of wisdom from the NFL now, and knowing that he'd need to prioritize speed for flag football, Thompson has already began crafting a roster.
"Boom, I'm going (Patrick) Mahomes at quarterback," he started. "I got Tyreek Hill over there and I got Justin Jefferson on my other side. Then I'm going to throw, (Ja'Marr) Chase in that slot. Tight end, I'm going to go (George) Kittle. Then running back, I'm going to go C-Mac ( Christian McCaffrey ).
"I know I got to have lockdown corners. I'm going Jessie Bates at my safety. I'm going to go (Justin) Simmons at my other safety. My two corners, I'm going to go Sauce (Gardner) on one side. On the other corner. I'm going to go Jaycee (Horn).
"Kick returner, I'm going to go with my dog, Raheem Blackshear. I'm going to throw Blackshear back there. I mean, that's a hell of a squad right there," he finished, before shouting out Team USA to call him.
There's something inherently magical about the Olympics, and the dream that every little kid has of one day being on the medal stand as the National Anthem plays, having won gold in their sport. For those playing football, it was nothing more than a pipe dream for years. Now, it's in reach, and the journey starts now.
