Former CFL quarterback Michael O'Connor chasing Olympic dream in flag football

After going unsigned as a CFL free agent in 2023, quarterback Michael O'Connor figured he was done with football.

Three years later, the 30-year-old Ottawa native is chasing the Olympic dream.

O'Connor has helped Canada's men's flag football team reach the cusp of qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Canada can punch its ticket for California this summer and be part of the sport's Olympic debut.

"We're just focused on what's next and what we can do to get better," O'Connor said recently. "But I'd be lying if I said I don't think about it and just how cool it would be to play and possibly medal in the Olympics.

"It's something I never thought would be possible."

A top-two finish at the world championships in Germany would qualify Canada for Los Angeles. If the United States reach the final, the second- and third-place finishers will earn Olympic berths as the Americans are already in as the host country.

Canada qualified for the world event by securing the bronze medal last summer IFAF Americas Flag Football Continental Championship in Panama. The U.S. and Mexico were declared joint champions as severe weather forced the cancellation of the gold-medal game.

Canada finished the round robin with a 3-1 record before losing a 35-25 semifinal decision to Mexico. The Canadians beat Panama 32-22 in the bronze medal game as O'Connor threw five touchdown passes, and he believes preparation will be key in Germany.

"We were third last year in Panama but I think we've made big strides since then," O'Connor said. "Just in terms of cleaning up what plays we like to run and what field position do we like to run them in.

"We're looking forward to getting back on the world stage and showing everybody that, yeah, we had a good 2025