Former Team USA star wants Colin Kaepernick to represent U.S. at 2028 L.A. Olympics

In what would make Kaepernick a successor to NBA star LeBron James, the 2024 flag-bearer, Rapinoe explained during the "A Touch More" podcast with Sue Bird (h/t Fox News) that Kaepernick should represent Team USA in the same way.

“Oh God, he would be so good in flag football. I mean he would be so good in the NFL, let’s just be clear about that. He is still being blackballed from the NFL right now,” Rapinoe said. “I think it would be awesome.

“I would love to see Colin be able to represent America in an Olympics. I think that would be an unbelievably special moment.

“He’s my flag bearer. I think that would be really incredible to have that representation of America also be front and center at an Olympics. That would be really cool.”

Rapinoe’s request is not the first time an Olympics featuring Kaepernick has been suggested.

“We’re gonna work on some things, see if we can make it in there, but would love to be out there,” he told Sky Sports (h/t Fox News).

Kaepernick last played in the NFL in 2016, but the way Team USA will be crafted is still unknown. There is a chance being in the NFL could be detrimental to the desire of playing flag football for Team USA.

One issue about who will represent Team USA in the 2028 Olympics that has already arisen is the issue of NFL players being allowed to compete on the team.

The NFL is debating this issue within. Summer Olympics typically take place in August, which is a crucial time for NFL teams as they gear up for the season.

In the same Fox News article, U.S. national team QB Darrell Doucette explained that NFL players aren’t entitled to a spot just because they play in the NFL.

“I love the fact that they want to play and that they want to come out and compete. But at the end of the day, we want the same process that we’ve been having to play. We have to try out, and so do they.

“I don’t want it to be they’re entitled because of their names to be able to just automatically be on the team, and that’s what is sounds like from the flag football world.

“I don’t think they have the time to actually learn this game and be as successful as we have over this period of time,” he added.