Nico Collins might not be the first phone call the United States makes when it puts together its flag football team for the Olympics in 2028, but the Houston Texans pass-catcher would love nothing more than to represent his country.
Flag football is coming to the next Olympics, leading to questions on whether NFL players should take over rather than professional players who already play and represent the US in meets. Collins doesn’t know what the qualifications are yet to make the team, but if the country wants NFL players, he’ll be the first to sign up.
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“We’d get a gold medal. I mean who doesn’t want a gold medal?” Collins said following OTA workouts on Wednesday. “It’s a blessing and something I want to be a part of, but if it happen then it happens and if it don’t then it don’t. It’s a goal, it would be fun.”
NFL owners have agreed to let players participate and several players have been vocal about their desire to play in the games. Given that it’s the summer, timing will be key since the start of training camp around the corner, some teams could be hesitant to allow their starts to go play and risk missing time in the regular season.
But Collins, who is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns, seems to be in shape and vocal that he won’t miss much away from NRG Stadium. Which teammates would he love to see join him representing the Red, White and Blue?
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“Sting,” Collins said of his All-Pro cornerback teammate. “He is an athlete and I’ll say C.J. too.”
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans’ Nico Collins is ‘all in’ on playing flag football in Olympics