Patrick Mahomes’ safety Deon Bush recently turned heads with his unexpected support for Jamaican sprinter Shericka Jackson. In a video snippet posted on the Kelce brothers’ Instagram, Bush couldn’t contain his excitement about the upcoming Olympics.

“Gotta see a Sharika Jackson break that record. You know what I’m sayin,” Bush declared, his eyes lighting up at the mention of Florence Griffith-Joyner’s long-standing 200m world record. Bush, who recently inked a one-year deal with the Chiefs, isn’t just a football star – he’s a track and field enthusiast with a keen eye for talent.

Bush’s enthusiasm for Jackson isn’t misplaced. The Jamaican speedster has been flirting with Flo-Jo’s 21.34-second mark set at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. At the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Jackson scorched the track with a blistering 21.41 seconds, cementing her status as the second-fastest woman in history over the distance.

Jackson’s journey to the precipice of history is nothing short of remarkable. Originally a 400m specialist, she transitioned to shorter sprints and quickly made her mark. At the 2022 World Championships, she blazed to gold in the 200m, clocking 21.45 seconds and serving notice to the athletics world.

What’s truly impressive about Jackson is her zen-like approach to record-chashing. “I don’t think I’m one of those athletes who puts the record in the front of my head,” she told Olympics.com before the 2023 World Championships. “Once I execute a good race, anything is possible.” This calm confidence has served her well, bringing her tantalizingly close to rewriting the history books.

Jackson’s goal-setting process offers a glimpse into her mindset. After her Budapest victory, she revealed, “I wrote a time that I want to achieve and if the world record comes, it comes.” She had jotted down two times in her book before the race – one was 21.41, which she achieved. The other remains a tantalizing secret, with Jackson only hinting, “It’s definitely faster than 21.4.”

As Jackson gears up for her assault on Flo-Jo’s record, the track world is buzzing with anticipation. Will she be the one to finally topple a mark that has stood for 35 years? The historical context adds weight to this quest – until two years ago, no woman other than Flo-Jo had cracked 21.6 seconds in the 200m.

Gabby Thomas: America’s sprint queen with a Football connection

While Deon Bush cheers for Shericka Jackson, another sprinting sensation is preparing to take on the world. Gabby Thomas, fresh off her victory in the 200m at the U.S. Olympic trials, is poised to challenge Jackson for gold in Paris.

Thomas’s path to Olympic glory is intertwined with her football connection. Her boyfriend, Spencer McManes, is a former Yale Bulldogs football player and current rugby enthusiast. This shared athletic background has created a unique bond between the couple, with McManes providing crucial support as Thomas prepares for the biggest race of her life.

Thomas’s approach to the Olympics is refreshingly grounded. “I learned that life really goes on after the Olympics,” she reflects on her experience in Tokyo to ELLE. “No matter what happens, it’s all going to be okay afterwards.” This perspective allows her to focus on enjoying the moment and giving her best performance.

The mental aspect of elite sports isn’t lost on Thomas. She acknowledges, “It’s so easy to fall into a mind trap, where it feels like, This is my identity, and if things don’t go the way I want, the world is over.” This awareness could prove crucial in the pressure-cooker environment of the Olympics.

Meanwhile, McManes’s Instagram feed (@mcmaniac2) offers a glimpse into their dynamic. He frequently shares snapshots of their life, with one post declaring, “Vacation every day” when he’s with Thomas. It’s clear that their connection extends beyond the track, with McManes noting that they share more than just a love for sports – pizza is their “love language.”

McManes’s background in football provides a unique perspective on the pressures Thomas faces. His understanding of the grit and determination required to excel as an athlete likely helps him provide meaningful emotional support as Thomas navigates the highs and lows of her career.

As the countdown to Paris ticks away, the women’s 200m is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated events of the Games. Will Shericka Jackson fulfill Deon Bush’s prophecy and shatter Flo-Jo’s record? Or will Gabby Thomas, buoyed by her football-inspired support system, sprint to victory?

One thing’s for certain – this clash of titans will have fans from all sports, including NFL stars like Deon Bush, glued to their screens. Bush, who made a game-changing interception in the 2024 AFC Championship game against the Ravens, knows a thing or two about performing under pressure. His support for Jackson adds an intriguing cross-sport dimension to this brewing Olympic showdown.