Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf came in ninth out of nine runners in his first-ever 100m race on Sunday. The 23-year-old was aiming to qualify for the upcoming US Olympic trials.
Metcalf participated in the Golden Games and Distance Open in California and started strong in the race but lost speed in the final stretch, finishing with a time of 10.37 seconds. The race’s winner was Cravon Gillespie, clocking in at 10.11 seconds.
Reflecting on his performance, Metcalf said, “Testing my speed against world-class athletes and getting the chance to race against them was a valuable experience. Their expertise in running is different from the demands of football speed.”
NFL players like Metcalf often need to sprint at high speeds for short distances, and Metcalf is recognized for his quickness on the field. In a notable play last season, he chased down Arizona’s Budda Baker to prevent a touchdown, closing a nearly 10-yard gap and reaching speeds of 22.64mph in full football gear.
Former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho commended Metcalf’s effort in the race, tweeting, “DK Metcalf finishes 9th in his heat with a time of 10.37! Remarkable performance for a 6’3 235-pound @NFL receiver!!!”
Metcalf’s foray into track follows a trend of NFL players such as Terrell Owens exploring opportunities to transition their skills into different athletic fields.
