On the first Saturday of every month, Mark will write about a topic of interest to Packers fans and the organization and then answer five fan questions. Fans are encouraged to email Mark with their name and hometown at:
Yes, you read that correctly. NFL players will participate in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. They will be playing flag football, though, not NFL, tackle football. The NFL owners approved player participation in the Olympics at a recent league meeting. There will be some restrictions, however, including one that would allow only one player per NFL team to be part of any national team. So, Jordan Love will not be able to team up with Christian Watson in the Olympics. NFL teams could have up to three players participate, if all three are players for different countries. The overall number of players participating in the Olympics will be 120 – 60 males and 60 females, 10 on each team; the game is 5 on 5. And there will be six countries involved, with the qualification process still to be determined but expected to include national championships, regional tournaments and international qualification events.
USA Football is the national governing body for flag football in the United States and has the unenviable task of picking the players. Several NFL players, including the Vikings’ Justin Jefferson, have stated that they would like to play in the Olympics.
Scott Hallenbeck, CEO of USA Football since 2005, deserves special credit for leading the process that resulted in USA Football becoming the sport’s first official national governing body, paving the way for the 2028 Olympic games and beyond. I’ve had the good fortune of serving on the USA Football board for over 20 years and have seen close up all the excellent work Scott has done with both the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee as well as the NFL. It will be exciting to watch flag football games in the Olympics in L.A. in 2028 (which, by the way, will be held in early July so NFL players will not miss any of their training camps). These games will be beneficial to the Olympics, USA Football, the NFL and the game itself.
Now, on to your questions.
A question from Chuck O.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us in MT5. Best of luck with weather during the draft. I think St. Vince will shine down some nice spring weather for us! I love your reference to the 1982 season as a favorite memory. Were you surprised the placekicker Mark Moseley won the MVP that year? Brandon McManus certainly was our special teams MVP in 2024.
My question relates to the impending new Bears stadium which would, in all likelihood, leave Lambeau Field as the sole remaining NFL stadium without a corporate sponsor. Like many fellow owners, I take pride in our unique “Greatest Story in Sports” image. What are your feelings on soon becoming the only non-sponsored NFL stadium? Thank you for protecting the brand so well under your leadership.
Thanks for the question, Chuck, and thank you for your service as well. I was not surprised that Mark Moseley won the MVP in 1982. He deserved it – he kicked the game-winning field goal in almost all of our wins. It did help that 1982 was the strike-shortened year. I think our regular-season record was 8-1. With regard to your other question, I think we should all take great pride in being the only team with a non-sponsored stadium. Lambeau Field is our most important asset, and we will do all we can to ensure that it lasts a long time.
John from Washington Island, WI
When the Packers won SB 45 the team provided an option for fans (season ticket holders or stock owners) to purchase some of their own “hardware”. I purchased a ring. Do you think this will be an option for the next SB-winning season?
Let’s hope that we have to deal with this question soon, John. I cannot speak for future administrations, but, given our unique ownership structure, allowing shareholders (and season ticket holders) to purchase a ring makes a lot of sense. In my mind, it’s one of the best benefits of being a shareholder.
George from North Mankato, MN
I would like to thank and congratulate you on your run as president of the Green Bay Packers! Under your leadership, the team has solidified its claim to having the best stadium, employees, fan base and gameday experience in the NFL. You have grown the footprint of the team in Green Bay – Titletown, stadium renovations and bringing the NFL Draft to town. Do you have a regret or something you would change about your tenure before passing the reins to Mr. Policy?
Thanks so much for the kind comments, George, especially coming from someone in Vikings territory. While we enjoyed consistent success on the field during my tenure, I regret that we only made one Super Bowl appearance. I would have loved to win a Super Bowl with Brian Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur. We were close many times, and I am confident that they will break through and win a Super Bowl in the not-too-distant future.
A question from Dan J.
Hope you are well and getting ready to enjoy your retirement. Thank you for serving this wonderful franchise so well over the years.
It is disappointing the Tush Push ban wasn’t passed. However, it would be nice to have a little fun at Philly’s expense when they come here in November. Picture this: On the big screen a clip of the great Bart Starr’s QB sneak in the Ice Bowl is played while Jerry Kramer narrates: “Back when only lineman were needed to get the QB in the end zone.” Any chance this could be done? Fans would love it! Again, good luck in your retirement.
Thanks, Dan. I appreciate the suggestion (and I love the way you are thinking) and agree that our fans would love it (as would Jerry Kramer). Since I am retiring soon, this decision will have to be made by Ed Policy and/or others in the organization. By the way, are you the speed skating Olympian from West Allis?
Anthony from Kewaunee, WI
Thanks for taking these questions. The transparency is incredibly refreshing. I do want to say before my question: Watching you make the announcement for the Packers’ first-round pick was really cool. I know how hard you worked to get the draft to Green Bay, so having a pick the crowd loved was really a happy moment for me. I’m interested in your opinion on the state of Madden. Madden holds the exclusive NFL simulation video game license, and, in my opinion, the current game is an absolute mess. From glitches during gameplay to the same franchise mode for the last 10 years, it’s incredibly disappointing. Madden and NFL 2K from 20 years ago are, in my opinion, more fun/immersive games than the current Madden games are right now. Madden now feels like a trojan horse to sell microtransactions via Ultimate Team vs. making a fun, captivating game, especially when it comes to franchise mode. It’s so frustrating as a consumer that I don’t have a choice when it comes to NFL games like I did 20-plus years ago. Do you think EA Sports has earned the right to make the “only” NFL video game? I sure don’t.
Thanks, Anthony. I was extremely honored to be able to announce our pick in the first round (and was very pleased that Matthew Golden is an easy name to pronounce). I thought the two highlights of the draft were when both Matthew and Barryn Sorrell were in Green Bay when they were picked. Our fans loved it, and I am sure it is something that neither of them will ever forget (and let’s hope they both go on to be great players). The great thing about Barryn is that no one in the draft room knew he was here. He paid his own way to come to Green Bay for the draft – what were the odds that he would be picked by the Packers? With regard to your question, while I do appreciate your thoughts on Madden, I am not the best person to ask about Madden. Let me check with my grandchildren and I will get back to you.
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