Detroit Lions fans must pay attention to this week's NFL ruling that its players may participate in the 2028 Summer Olympics. The next version of the Olympics is set in Los Angeles and has added a new wrinkle in approving flag football.
Understandably, the chance to win a medal is going to appeal to a large number of players throughout the league. There is also likely a bit of a business side to things for the league. Rejecting the idea of allowing its players to participate in winning a medal for their respective countries isn't going to result in popular coverage.
For Detroit, it is a noteworthy headline with the team's two biggest stars already asking for their spot on the team.
Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs Both Want a Spot on the 2028 Olympic Team
Both running back Jahmyr Gibbs and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown immediately showed interest in Olympic flag football on social media after the NFL approved players' participation. Gibbs even plead for him to match up against St. Brown, who already seems intent on representing Team Germany by including an emoji of the country's flag in his post.
As exciting as the prospects of summer football might be in the 2028 offseason fans should have a level of concern. Yes, it is flag football, and the lack of contact drastically lowers the injury risks. Still, what is going to be an extremely competitive event the quick movements and attempts to create space in such an environment do present a risk.
For the players, it is completely understandable why they wish to take part in a defining event. However, the flip side of this is front office groups and fans who will be crossing their fingers that nothing goes wrong. For those who don't have a vested interest in the Olympics this is simply an unneeded risk that could hurt a team's 2028 chances to contend.
With this in mind, Detroit fans should have a certain level of hesitancy about their star players leaving to compete in an event that doesn't mean anything to the franchise itself outside of the player representation.
It is a risk a number of franchises must weigh in the coming seasons, deciding how to approach the seminal event. For Detroit, this is a decision that is still years from fruition and that could easily change based on how the next three seasons play out.