Jalen Hurts has got LA 2028 preparations rolling and Tom Cruise will join him with Olympics stunt
The 2024 Paris Games aren't yet over but attention is already turning to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
The American Games will have a distinctly American flavor to them as men's and women's flag football will be an Olympic event for the first time in history.
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The NFL has circled a home Olympics in 2028 as a big opportunity to grow the sport for some time now.
As such, they're rolling out the big guns for a promotional video announcing the arrival of flag football on the LA28 sports program.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback and Global Flag Football Ambassador Jalen Hurts is featured in the epic 'Light It Up' spot, which sees him throw a flaming football to light the Olympic torch inside the Los Angeles Memorial Colosseum.
After throwing the ball into the Olympic torch to light it, Hurts says, “It’s our turn”.
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The video is reminiscent of iconic Paralympic archer Antonio Rebollo lighting the Olympic torch with a flaming arrow at the Olympic Games Barcelona 1992 Games.
"As we celebrate the successes of Paris 2024 and the ball is thrown to LA28, we have no doubt flag football is going to light up the Games when it makes its debut in four years' time," IFAF President, Pierre Trochet, said in a statement.
"Young, fast, creative and played by outstanding athletes, including our global flag football ambassador Jalen Hurts, the format is the perfect fit for the Games of a new generation."
Two-time Pro Bowler Hurts, who recently helped lead the Eagles to Super Bowl LVII, will serve as flag football's global ambassador.
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However, it's still unclear if he'll actually participate in the inaugural event.
Several NFL players have expressed interest in competing in the Games, including Miami Dolphins’ quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and wide receiver Tyreek Hill and reigning Super Bowl MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
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The Games could interfere with the start of NFL training camps while injuries are also major concern. With that said, the non-contact nature of flag football should mitigate injury risks and NFL executive Peter O’Reilly has said the league is continuing to speak with players and teams about finding a way for individuals to compete.
“That opportunity for athletes to represent their countries, we understand the desire, what they have spoken out about,” NFL executive Peter O’Reilly said.
“And what we will continue to do is work with the players, Players Association and the clubs in the time ahead to determine the process and then work with USA Football and IFAF on that.”
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The International Olympic Committee announced last October that flag football would be included at LA28.
The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) and the NFL both supported such a move, with the NFL seeing flag as a key driver in player participation in the game going forward.
Flag football is a short, fast, non-contact and gender-equal format played by an estimated 20 million people in more than 100 countries across 6 continents.
It is the most inclusive and accessible format of football, played by people of all ages and genders, with women and girls driving some of the sport’s fastest growth.
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Hurts has been a big advocate of empowering women in sports, and was recently at the Eagles Girls Flag Football League Championships to watch the title games and meet the winning teams.
"It was an honor to be a part of this and witness this special event," Hurts said in June.
"There has to be some respect put on the work that it takes to prepare to play any type of game. Just to see how dialed in and focused they were, how excited they were to play the game, that meant a lot.
"There is a lot of talent there. These young girls have the opportunity to play the game they love and that's what it's all about. I was a fan out there and I loved every moment of it."
However, before LA28 can officially get underway, the Paris Olympics closing ceremony must first take place.
According to reports, Hollywood A-lister Tom Cruise is expected to perform a 'mega' stunt at the Olympics closing ceremony, which takes place on Sunday, 11 August in Paris.
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Details of the closing ceremony are being kept under close wraps but reports have confirmed the Olympic flag will be handed off to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass as a symbolic 'passing of the torch' as the iconic city prepares to host the 2028 Olympic Summer Games.
LA28 will take place place from July 14 to 30, 2028.