Seahawks' DK Metcalf fails to catch Olympic-qualifying field at U.S. sprint meet
NFL wide receiver settles for respect after running a 10.37 in failed Olympic bid
Seattle Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf couldn't catch the field in his heat of a 100-metre race at the USA Track and Field Golden Games on Sunday, finishing ninth out of nine but in a respectable time of 10.37 seconds.
Although Metcalf didn't earn a spot in the final, he did pick up the respect of sprinters who were out to prove that track speed was far different from football fast.
WATCH | Seahawks receiver DK Metcalfe runs 100m in 10.37 seconds:
Wearing earrings and a gold necklace, Metcalf burst out of the blocks in fine fashion. He wasn't left behind either and pretty much kept in the mix until the finish line. The winner of his heat was Cravon Gillespie, who finished in 10.11 seconds to barely edge Mike Rodgers and went on to win the race.
Metcalf left the track with a new level of respect.
"These are world-class athletes," Metcalf said during the broadcast on NBC streaming service Peacock. "It's very different from football speed, from what I just realized."
WATCH | Bring It In panel discusses Metcalf's 100m sprint debut:
The 6-foot-4 Metcalf ran 4.33 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine before the 2019 draft.
Metcalf's decision to race had track standouts such as Rodgers, a 2016 Olympian, eager to see him show up. They're frequently challenged by speedy athletes in other sports. Metcalf actually put his fast feet to the test.
"I just applaud him just from coming out to even attempt to do what he's doing," Rodgers said.
Rodgers had said he would be impressed if Metcalf ran under 10.2 seconds. Metcalf's time was originally listed at 10.36 before being changed to 10.37.
"To test my speed up against world class athletes like this... Like I said, just having the opportunity to run against these guys was just a blessing."<a href="https://twitter.com/Seahawks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Seahawks</a> wide receiver <a href="https://twitter.com/dkm14?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dkm14</a> on the opportunity to race against elite track & field athletes.<a href="https://twitter.com/usatf?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@usatf</a> // <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JourneyToGold?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JourneyToGold</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ob1Zr8g34s">pic.twitter.com/Ob1Zr8g34s</a>
—@NBCOlympicsHe earned praise from broadcaster Ato Boldon, a four-time Olympic medal winner as a sprinter for Trinidad and Tobago.
Devon Allen, a 2016 Olympian in the 110-meter hurdles, posted on social media: "Yo that was SOLID for sure! RESPECT."
The performance of Metcalf caught the attention of Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who tweeted: "10.36 is crazy tho at that size!! Mad respect!"
Asked if his time might encourage him to take the track again, Metcalf smiled and responded, "I've got minicamp to go to."
WATCH | Cravon Gillespie takes top spot in 100m sprint:
