DK Metcalf has already established himself as one of the fastest players in the NFL. The Seattle Seahawks wide receiver’s pacey nature even made him viral last year and this year, Metcalf decide to give the 100m track a shot.
At the USA Track and Field Golden Games and Distance Open in Walnut, California on Sunday, Metcalf took part in the 100 meters event, which is also serving as a qualifier for the upcoming US Olympic trials next month.
The Seahawks stalwart clocked a 10.36 seconds finish and was placed 9th in his heat and 15th in overall. Despite setting such an impressive time, a Tokyo Olympics berth remained out of reach for the pro football player.
World Championships gold medallist Cravon Gillespie topped the charts with a stunning 9.96 secs finish, winning the final while British sprinter CJ Utah came fourth with a time of 10.03 secs, which became the qualifying standard for the quadrennial event.
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Very different from football speed: Metcalf shares his experience from the Golden Games
Metcalf, despite garnering applaud for his speed, was 0.33 seconds behind the benchmark time and admitted that despite being one of the paciest football players, it’s a no-contest when it comes to competing against sprinters.
However, participation is key and the NFL star was just glad to be a part of the event.
“I’m just happy to be here, excited to have the opportunity, thank God for the opportunity to run against world-class athletes like this,” Metcalf spoke to NBC Sports after the race, “just to test my speed against world-class athletes like this.”
“They do this for a living,” the 23-year-old acknowledged, “this is very different from football speed.”
Although Metcalf’s sprint was not Olympic-level standard, he received appreciation from none other than Patrick Mahomes.
“10.36 is crazy tho at that size!! Mad respect! @dkm14,” Mahomes praised the 6ft 4in, 235lbs Metcalf.
Last year, the Seahawks star shook the NFL fandom after he clocked a 90-yard interception against Arizona Cardinals in October, catching up Budda Baker after a blistering display of speed.
As per the calculations made by NFL’s Next Gen Stats, Metcalf covered 114.8 yards on the play and reached a top speed of 22.64 mph. “That was one of the best football plays I’ve ever seen,” Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll had stated after the match.
