By Alfredo Echenique
04 Nov 2023, 09:34 AM EDT
At just 27 years old, Patrick Mahomes is already considered one of the best quarterbacks in the league. He has two Super Bowl titles and two other MVP awards to his credit, which positions him among the greats of the sport despite his young age.
However, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback seems not to be satisfied with the achievements he has obtained in the NFL and wants to go for more. And that next step seems to be in another sport, although quite similar, since Mahomes wants to represent the United States in the flag football discipline that will be official at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
A few weeks ago the International Olympic Committee approved five new sports for the Los Angeles 2028 edition. These are: Cricket, squash, lacrosse, flag football, baseball and softball.
The NFL itself had a lot to do with the push to include flag football, which is why Mahomes’ participation representing the national team would be one of the great attractions of the Olympic tournament.
Even Mahomes made it very clear that he had no great interest in participating in this new discipline in the Olympic Games. “I definitely want to do it. But I’ve seen some of the guys that play Flag Football. They are a little faster than me,” he said in a press conference prior to the game against the Miami Dolphins.
“I know there are no linemen to protect you. I will be 31, 32 years old. So, if I can still move, I will try to get there and throw the ball, maybe in Los Angeles,” Mahomes analyzed regarding playing this sport that has some differences from American football.
What is flag football and how is it played?
Flag football is a sport very similar to American football, it even has the same rules, the only notable difference is that there is no physical contact and the characteristic “tackle” is prohibited.
Instead, players wear a flag tied to their waist and if an opponent manages to remove that flag from their waist, the play stops. Just like a tackle in American football.
Otherwise, it is exactly the same and with the same objective, four opportunities per team (up to 4 downs or flag thefts), to reach midfield. And once you have reached midfield, there are another 4 opportunities until the end to score in the opposite field (touchdown).
Keep reading:
· Patrick Mahomes celebrated the Texas Rangers’ victory in the World Series
· Learn how to play some of the new sports that will be present at the Olympic Games. from 2028
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