Los Angeles Olympics want to add flag football in 2028

The International Olympic Committee is "unlikely to deviate from organizers’ proposals," meaning they'll probably make the cut, the Wall Street Journal reports.

The inclusion of flag football in particular raised eyebrows among some, as it's a less-violent variation of a brutal sport that is overwhelmingly American. In fact, there were only 82 internationally-born players on NFL rosters and practice squads at the end of last season out of more than 2,000 players overall.

If Olympic flag football goes the route of Olympic basketball and the U.S. trots out stars like Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill and Christian McCaffrey, it's highly doubtful other countries will have enough talent to compete. 

That could discourage other nations from assembling a squad of their own, but it's likely that the NFL, which the Wall Street Journal reports is actively pushing flag football as a safer alternative to tackle football, is hoping the American stars of today inspire multinational stars of tomorrow. 

It's a move that aligns with the league's quest for more international fans, with games held in the United Kingdom and Germany this season.

If all goes according to plan, the NFL could follow the NBA in becoming a truly international sport with stars and fans from all over the world.

But if it doesn't, this may be the first and only time football ever gets Olympic-level international exposure, perhaps dooming it to remain a force in America alone.