Four Saskatchewan Roughriders are among the list of 20 CFL players invited to Canada’s professional flag football camp, the league announced Friday. Those representing the Green and White could be receivers Samuel Emilis (Montreal, Que.) and Kian Schaffer-Baker (Mississauga, Ont.), along with defensive backs Tevaughn Campbell (Scarborough, Ont.) and Malcolm Bell (Montreal). This opens the door for the possibility these players could represent Canada at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles – when flag football makes its debut at the games. “Our goal was simple – give CFL players the opportunity to pursue their dreams of representing their country,” CFL Commissioner Stewart Johnston said in a release. “Thanks to the collaboration of our clubs and the CFLPA, that opportunity now exists. We’re proud of the players who have been invited to this historic camp and excited to see them showcase their talents as flag football continues its rise on the road to LA28. This is a meaningful step for our players and for the growth of the game in Canada.” This is the first-ever professional flag football camp and is set to be held Nov. 29-Dec. 5 in Chula Vista, Calif. Altogether, 20 CFL players were invited to the event; where they will learn the rules, techniques, concepts and schemes of the international flag football game, under the guidance and evaluation of Team Canada coaches. Active CFL players have never before taken part in National Team activities. Also among the invitees are B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke, 2026 Most Outstanding Canadian winner Tyson Philpot and former Rider Nic Demski. The CFL and its nine member clubs have agreed to the parameters for players to be available for National Team participation, while also coming to terms with the CFLPA on the provision of insurance coverage and health benefits for all participating players while attending camp. “This is an incredible opportunity for our members to represent their countries on the world’s biggest sporting stage. We’re proud to work with the CFL to ensure our players can pursue this opportunity, while continuing to have the support and protection they deserve as CFL players,” said David Mackie, Executive Director, CFLPA. Flag football will makes its official Olympic debut July 15-22, 2028. As part of his state of the league address Friday in Calgary, Johnston said the league is working through its approach to that season’s schedule to allow for CFL player participation – given the games are in the middle of the season. “It’s sort of annoying, isn’t it?” Johnston joked. “There is no plan to pause our season right now. We think our league and our teams are strong enough to play through the Olympics.” “The Olympic teams, let’s face it, they aren’t large teams. There’s, I think, 10 [players] on a team, so this won’t be a huge portion of our players but, with creative scheduling of our bye weeks, we can mitigate the impact of some of our stars potentially missing some games.” The full list of CFL player invitees can be found here.
