Retired NFL star Rob Gronkowski wants to play for the United States flag football team in the 2028 Olympics: ‘Count me in already’

Former NFL star Rob Gronkowski volunteered his services to the United States flag football team for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

After winning four Super Bowl titles, five First Team All-Pro and five Pro-Bowl selections, Gronkowski now looks to add Olympic gold to his storied resume. 

‘Hopefully there’s no tryouts and they just accept me,’ the 34-year-old told TMZ on Friday. ‘I’m feeling good, the body’s healed, I’m working out all the time.’

Gronkowski initially retired from the NFL in 2019 due to injuries. However, his farewell was short-lived as he returned to join Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020. The Buccaneers went on to win the Super Bowl in 2021 before Gronkowski’s second retirement the year after. 

Despite retiring ‘for good’ in 2022, Gronkowski basks in the possibility of playing flag football for the Stars and Stripes. ‘I’m in. I’m going for that if there is flag football in the Olympics in 2028.’

Gronkowski unretired in 2021 and won another Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The International Olympic Committee recently approved the addition of five sports for the 2028 games. Namely, flag football, cricket, lacrosse, squash and baseball-softball. 

Gronkowski will be 39 by the time the Los Angeles hosts the games but remained adamant on playing a friendlier version of the game. 

‘I don’t miss going out there and getting banged up man,’ Gronkowski said. ‘But I can tell you this, if there was a flag football league — an NFL flag football league, I would be playing in that currently as we speak.’

Should Gronkowski’s wishes be granted, he will not carry the weight of Team USA’s star power alone. Miami Dolphins wide receiver, Tyreek Hill, called his fellow NFL stars to action on Monday on social media. 

‘Calling all NFL guys let’s bring one home,’ Hill captioned a repost about the sport’s Olympic approval. 

‘USA going all the way,’ said Gronkowski.