The war of abilities is getting fiercer between the NFL stars and the track stars. It stirred up again as Xavier Worthy recently ran 4.21 in his 40m dash at the NFL Combine. Interestingly, it was less than what Usain Bolt clocked back in 2019 (4.22). Understandably, the superiority debate went live once again. But the track realm is not going to spare either. Therefore, recently some prominent track stars, including Justin Gatlin, showed up on social media to challenge the NFL stars, saying that they would outshine them in the physical ability tests.
The clip of the conversation was posted by the Track & Field Network, captioning, “A combined combine – The @nfl with Track & Field. This NEEDS to happen! Who gets the edge if athletes from both sports battle it out in the physical ability activities at the combine?” Canadian Olympian Anson Henry, being the most vocal, clearly stated, “We would embarrass them”. The others also chimed in with their thoughts along the same lines.
Anson Henry further stated, “Track and field would really make those guys look stupid”, he added to his statement. Trinidadian Olympian Ato Boldon chimed in quoting shot putter Joe Kovacs who once said, “I have been in both weight rooms, it’s not close.” Interestingly, the clip also features Usain Bolt for a few seconds.
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Bolt was heard saying, “I ran 4.22, in my sweats, and some beach shoes! Come on Tyreek Hill, you got no chance!” This brings back the memory of the humorous rivalry Bolt and Hill have had over the years. In his NFL combine in 2016, Hill clocked a time of 4.29, which was slower than that of Bolt’s. Despite that, in 2022, in Kevin Hart’s YouTube series Cold as Balls, Hill claimed, he is faster than Bolt. Xavier, however, chose to play it safe!
Xavier stated, “His 40 was in shoes and sweats. There’s no comparison. I’m not even gonna disrespect him.” But do you know, there is a track and field star who ran 40m faster than Usain Bolt?
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3x world champion’s tough challenge to NFL realm
A few days back, former football quarterback Robert Griffin III posted a 2017 clip of Christian Coleman. It was a 40m dash run by Coleman in 4.12s during that year’s NFL draft. Griffin wrote, “For those watching the NFL Combine, there is a MASSIVE difference between football speed and track speed. Here is Christian Coleman running a 4.12 second 40-yard dash at 85% effort.” Taking note of it, Coleman asserted, “Mind you this was 7 years ago. My start way more efficient today.” While the debate looks no chance to settle anytime soon, there is one positive side to it.
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The entire conversation around it makes athletics more visible to the public eyes. Athletes like Noah Lyles have been very vocal about the marketability of the sport. Noah has been fiercely in favor of making the sport more interesting. He has a wish to “transcend the sport” and not be someone who just runs. It is very much possible that such conversations might turn more eyes to take a keen look into athletics.
Also Read: Christian Coleman Receives $100K Challenge From NFL Legend Ahead of Paris Olympics