Canada’s Flag Football team adds pro power with Auclair, O’Connor ahead of Olympic bid

AFI | American Football | 05/29/2025

Former NFL tight end Antony Auclair and CFL quarterback Michael O’Connor headline Canada’s national men’s flag football team roster, injecting professional pedigree as the squad prepares for a 2028 Summer Games qualification bid in Los Angeles, where the sport will debut.

Pro pedigree elevates Olympic ambitions
The 32-year-old Auclair (6’6”, 256 lbs), a Notre-Dame-des-Pins, Que. native, brings championship experience from his NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Super Bowl LV winner), Houston Texans, and Tennessee Titans. Over 56 regular-season games, he recorded 15 receptions for 131 yards and one touchdown. Before the NFL, he helped Laval University claim the 2016 Vanier Cup.

O’Connor (6’4”, 230 lbs), an Ottawa product, transitioned to flag football after a CFL career that included stints with the Toronto Argonauts, Calgary Stampeders, and B.C. Lions. Drafted in 2019’s third round, the quarterback previously led the University of British Columbia to a 2015 Vanier Cup title.

Road to LA 2028 begins with roster overhaul
Both players were selected among 12 athletes at Canada’s national identification camp, signaling a strategic shift toward leveraging pro-tested physicality and IQ. Flag football’s Olympic inclusion demands rapid adaptation from tackle football veterans, with Auclair’s size and O’Connor’s arm talent offering unique advantages in the fast-paced format.

Olympic debut demands tactical transition
While Auclair’s blocking prowess and red-zone dominance defined his NFL role, flag football will prioritize his agility and hands in open space. O’Connor, meanwhile, must refine his pocket instincts for a game emphasizing quick reads and mobility. Their presence elevates Canada’s bid to secure one of the 12 Olympic qualification spots, with flag football making its Summer Games debut in 2028.

Legacy-building opportunity for Canadian football
For Auclair and O’Connor, the move to flag football represents a chance to redefine their careers while elevating Canada’s global standing. As the team eyes 2025 qualifiers, their pro-tested poise could prove pivotal in securing a historic Olympic berth.

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