Why John Daly Never Made It to the NFL

It is not a secret that the American professional golfer, John Daly is a man of many talents. By winning more than 15 championship titles, including two majors, the 56-year-old has proved he is an incredible golfer. Moreover, he is also a music enthusiast, who has written, sang, and released multiple albums throughout his career. 

Daly is also known for playing football and baseball other than golf when he was in high school. Although his love for the latter faded away, he wanted to try his chance at NFL. Then what led Daly to change his heart and stay with professional golfing? 

John Daly wanted to play in the NFL!

Growing up, Daly excelled in playing football. He used to be the punter and place-kicker of his team and was even part of the team that won the 1983 Missouri State Football Championship. 

Furthermore, he was also a part of the Helias golf team, who competed at the 1983 Missouri State Championship. Notably, Daly won the Missouri State Amateur Championship in 1983. Naturally, his love for golf overpowered and he chose golf over football as his profession. 

However, his love for football never went away, and he wanted to play in the NFL at least once. “(Daly) told me last night that if he could get on an NFL field, that would rank right up there with winning the PGA,” Colt Coach at the time, Ron Meyer, said. “I’ve talked with his agent and he said he’d be here if he doesn’t make the cut.” 

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Daly talked to the Colt Coach about his dream when he was playing at the 1991 PGA Championship. “If he doesn’t make the cut at the International,” Meyer added. “I’m bringing him in, and he’s going to be our backup kicker and kick an extra point for us.”

What happened to Daly at the 1991 PGA Championship?

The PGA Tour rookie at the time attended the major championship as the ninth alternative on the field. To the surprise of everyone, the young John Daly showcased perfect golf and won the event with his impressive long drives. 

The deal Daly had with Colt’s coach was that he would become the NFL team’s kicker if he couldn’t make the cut at the event. However, he won the major, his first of the two major titles, and thus, continued to play golf and not football.  

Do you think John Daly would have been a successful football player? If so, which team do you think he would have preferred to play?

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