Tyrell Ford and Tyson Philpot were named among 20 CFL players invited to Football Canada’s first professional national flag team camp in Chula Vista, California, from Nov. 29 to Dec. 5.
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Tyrell Ford and Tyson Philpot, who played in the Grey Cup on Sunday, are among 20 CFL players invited to Football Canada’s first-ever professional national flag team camp in Chula Vista, Calif., from Nov. 29 to Dec. 5.
The camp is intended to educate professional players on flag football rules and nuances.
Football Canada says its men’s and women’s flag teams qualified for the 2028 Los Angeles Games last year, with the women earning their spot by winning the world championship in Germany and the men finishing third in their event.
The Canadian men’s team is coached by Paul LaPolice, a longtime CFL coach, and Flag Football is set to make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles; both the CFL and NFL will allow their players to participate in the Games.
Ford and Philpot were selected to the camp, with Ford among nine defensive backs and Philpot joining receivers selected for the event.
The defensive backs named were Alonzo Addae (Ottawa), Cristophe Beaulieu (B.C.), Malcolm Bell (Hamilton), Tevaughn Campbell (Saskatchewan), Jackson Findlay (B.C.), Adrian Greene (Calgary), Ashton Miller-Melancon (Calgary) and Stavros Katsantonis (Hamilton), along with Ford.
Philpot was selected as one of the receivers, joining Nic Demski (Winnipeg), Samuel Emilus (Saskatchewan), Justin McInnis (B.C.), Kevin Mital (Toronto), Kian Schaffer-Baker (Saskatchewan) and Keelan White (Ottawa).
Philpot led the CFL in catches (124), yards (1,809) and was tied with teammate Tyler Snead for most TDs (13), while Ford recorded a CFL-high seven interceptions this season.
David Mackie, executive director of the CFL Players’ Association, said the union supports its players taking part, adding that the opportunity is still dependent on earning a roster spot and that the initiative provides visibility for CFL players and the league at the Olympics.
Mackie also said players participating will be protected, with health coverage and insurance arrangements in place so that injuries are handled as if they were CFL injuries, and that clubs are willing to take that risk.
CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston said the goal was to give CFL players the opportunity to represent Canada, and he said there is currently no plan to pause the CFL regular season during the Olympics.
Union president Solomon Elimimian said CFL players participating in the L.A. Games will continue to be paid by their pro clubs.
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