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To: Eurotwit

Usain Bolt as an NFL wide receiver? That would keep the defensive backs up at night!

OTOH, the history of Olympic sprinters attempting that transition hasn’t been one marked with success. Willie Gault (Chicago Bears) was a hurdler who made the switch.

My Philadelphia Eagles had John Carlos & Tommy Smith in camp after the ‘68 Games (these were the “Black Power” salute sprinters). Neither made the cut.

We used to have a saying related to the 40 yd dash times (a good time is under 4.5 for a receiver). The saying goes “4.5 speed, 6 second hands”. LOL!


49 posted on 08/09/2012 3:42:50 PM PDT by Tallguy (It's all 'Fun and Games' until somebody loses an eye!)
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To: Tallguy

Yeah. I think a lot of people underestimate the technical challenges of catching a spinning ball at speed whilst dodging tackles. And, that goes double for soccer.

Becoming an NFL quality wide reciever in most cases require dedication from an early age.

The only exception I think is kicker. David Beckham for instance would likely have been a hall of famer if he had “retired” in the NFL instead of the MLS.

We have two Norwegians who became famous in American football. One was Knut Rockne, the other was Stenerud of the Kansas City Chiefs. He came to America on a ski jumping scholarship I believe for college, but had played some soccer as a kid growing up in Norway. Spotted by chance kicking a a football on campus by the baseball coach, he was
invited to try out for the football the team.

The rest as they say.... is history :)


58 posted on 08/09/2012 4:13:14 PM PDT by Eurotwit ("Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.")
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