Former CSU football star helps Italy make LA28 in new Olympic sport
Former CSU safety Henry Blackburn helped Italy qualify for the 2028 Olympics in flag football, putting the ex-Ram one step closer to competing in LA.
A former Colorado State football player could be participating in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
But wait, tackle football isn't in the Olympics? No, but flag football now is.
The Summer Games have added flag football as a sport for LA28 and former Ram safety Henry Blackburn has helped Italy qualify.
Italy took silver in the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships earlier in August and a 41-36 win over Canada in the semifinals secured a spot at the Olympics.
"See you soon LA28," Blackburn posted on Instagram after Italy qualified.
Blackburn is from Colorado and grew up in Boulder, but holds an Italian passport.
Blackburn was a safety for the Rams from 2020-24 where he twice served as a captain. He had 272 career tackles at CSU with 9.5 tackles-for-loss, four sacks, five interceptions, five fumble recoveries and three fumbles forced.
Blackburn plays tackle football for the Ancona Dolphins in the Italian Football League.
Sports reporter Kevin Lytle can be found on social media on X , Instagram and Threads @Kevin_Lytle and on Bluesky .
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