NFL players are now free to participate in the Olympics, starting in 2028. They could play flag football, so there would be no tackling or blocking. The risk for getting hurt still exists, though, as many major injuries (knees, ankles) can be non-contact issues. In other words, a collective holding of the breath might occur if a Seattle Seahawks player is involved.
Flag football's structure should also be ready-made for several Seahawks. The format is five-on-five, with an offense having a quarterback, center (who can also catch passes), and wide receiver/running back. The defense has an edge rusher, a defensive back, and a safety.
Teams can run the ball, but one would have to have a pretty slithery running back to get away from defenders close to the line of scrimmage. A good team will feature a lot of quick and fast players.
Seahawks' Devon Witherspoon would be a great fit on the US 2028 Olympics flag football team
Seattle could have at least two Olympic hopefuls. Each flag football team will have 10 players, so space will be limited. But a recent projection by CBS Sports of which players could make up the United States team leaves out one Seahawk who would be perfect for the team.
Cornerback Devon Witherspoon, who will only be 27 years old when the Olympics are held in 2028, would be a fantastic fit. He has the versatility to play any defensive back position, can rush the quarterback if needed, and has the quickness to disrupt anything a flag football offense tries to do.
CBS Sports names a couple of cornerbacks who they see as making the team, the Houston Texans' Derek Stingley and Buffalo Bills corner Maxwell Hairston. Hairston has yet to play a down in the NFL as he was a first-round draft pick this year. Maybe CBS Sports wanted to throw in a name know one would have expected.
Players can play two ways, though. Jacksonville Jaguars 2025 draft pick Travis Hunter is also projected to be on the flag football team, and he certainly could play receiver or defensive back exceptionally well. We probably shouldn't doubt that Witherspoon could catch passes well, too, if needed.
The Seahawks defense succeeds in part because of Witherspoon's ability to move around the field. He can line up in the slot, cover tight ends and running backs while rushing the passer, and line up outside. His versatility is a gift any team would cherish.
Another Seahawks player who would be a great fit on the US team is wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. His quickness on the line of scrimmage would allow him to get open fast, and it would be fun to see him play defensive back as well.