Saskatchewan Roughriders want in on flag football at 2028 Olympics

News of the NFL’s owners allowing its players to participate in flag football at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles was heard and received around the world yesterday.

This means the United States could have an endless amount of talent to choose from when it comes to creating the country’s first-ever Olympic flag football team.

The stamp of approval from the NFL has some CFL players salivating at the idea of representing Canada or the U.S. when it comes to trying to win a gold medal for their country.

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“If the NFL is going to be letting their guys compete, Canada better be letting the CFL guys compete,” said Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker, who is from Mississauga, Ont.

“That’s where some of our world-class athletes are. So let’s get us out there and go win us some gold medals.”

Montreal native Samuel Emilus is also on board with the idea.

“It’s (the Olympics) a prestigious event that not everybody can partake in. I think the CFL should be open,” Emilus said.

“At the end of the day, it’s representing your country and its flag football – so there’s no contact and the chance of injury is low. If the NFL does it, why not?”

Emilus and Schaffer-Baker both said they played flag football growing up before going professional.

The best flag football player on the Roughriders right now could be Joe Robustelli. Before resuming his football career and joining the Green and White, the rookie receiver played competitive flag football in the U.S. and spent nearly three weeks with the U.S. national flag football team.

He’s on board with the NFL sending its best players to the Olympic Games.

“I think it’s great. I think they should have the best of the best, and I think everybody should have an equal chance to showcase their talents. I think the CFL should definitely do the same,” Robustelli said.

Since flag football was announced as an Olympic sport for 2028, many NFL players in the U.S. have been vocal about playing for their country and claiming they can’t be stopped.

Although the NFL has some of the fastest players in the world, Robustelli suggested transitioning from tackle football to flag might not be the easiest for some of the best football players in the world.

“They would be fine running the routes and stuff like that, but there are little intricacies in the game,” Robustelli explained.

“I went out there, and all I could really do was run the routes – I had no idea how to move my hips the way they move their hips and stuff like that. There’s a lot to learn in the game too, with the pitches and all that type of stuff. I think there would be some players who would go out there and probably do very well, but others who probably think they could, may not do it as easily.”

The CFL hasn’t yet commented publicly on whether it would allow its players to participate in the Olympics or not.

News and notes from Day 9 of Riders training camp

For the second time in a week, the Riders got some bad news regarding their offensive line.

Head coach Corey Mace announced after practice on Wednesday that offensive linemen Philippe Gagnon tore his bicep at practice on Monday and will miss some time.

“It might not be season-ending, which is good for him and good for us,” Mace said. “But similar to Sean (McEwen), it’s just unfortunate. It didn’t look like much, but that’s just the way it went.”

The Riders didn’t wear the pads on Wednesday as the group prepared for its preseason game on Saturday in Winnipeg.

There weren’t many big plays happening on the field Wednesday, but quarterback Trevor Harris connected with receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker twice on deep balls down the field.

Tommy Stevens threw the pass of the day when he spotted rookie receiver Daniel Wiebe down the field for a 30-plus-yard gain.

Linebacker Aubrey Miller Jr. had the play of the day on defence when he intercepted the football from a Stevens pass.

“I thought today was an excellent practice. The attention to detail in the walk-through periods to the complete periods – it was a great day,” Mace said.

Mace was asked about how he would deploy his quarterbacks on the field Saturday in Winnipeg, but didn’t want to provide too many details.

Mace did suggest that all the quarterbacks could see a snap or two on Saturday. As for the rest of the team, Mace said fans can expect to see a mix of offensive and defensive starters.

The Riders will resume training camp on Thursday at 8:30 a.m. at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon. They’ll have a walk-through on Friday before flying to Winnipeg.