# Usain Bolt to the N.F.L.? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [October 29, 2019, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usain-bolt-to-the-n-f-l/842652 "2019-10-29T16:14:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![racepug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@racepug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racepug)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usain-bolt-to-the-n-f-l/842652/1 "2019-10-29T16:14:56Z")
[https://sports.yahoo.com/speed-usain-bolt-wants-play-160242162.html](https://sports.yahoo.com/speed-usain-bolt-wants-play-160242162.html) ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usain-bolt-to-the-n-f-l/842652/2 "2019-10-29T16:22:18Z")
If he thinks all it takes is straight line speed, he’s in for a rude awakening. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usain-bolt-to-the-n-f-l/842652/3 "2019-10-29T16:25:17Z")
Sprinting is not a contact sport. Let’s see how fast he is after an NFL linebacker blows him up. Not to mention we don’t know what his lateral evasion skills are. Lots of guys are fast running in a straight line with no obstacles in front of them. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usain-bolt-to-the-n-f-l/842652/4 "2019-10-29T16:31:29Z")
I feel like this subject gets brought up every couple years, but it’s not like Bolt is actively trying to get in the NFL. He’s literally responding to a question about would he play in the NFL with “If they call me, I’m ready.” Which I will also say, if an NFL team wants to offer me a contract, I’m also ready. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usain-bolt-to-the-n-f-l/842652/5 "2019-10-29T16:32:34Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > If he thinks all it takes is straight line speed, he’s in for a rude awakening. Agreed. Football - especially at the NFL level - requires a player to have a whole set of skills. Bolt has one of the necessary skills. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usain-bolt-to-the-n-f-l/842652/6 "2019-10-29T16:33:03Z")
Olympic hurdler [Renaldo Nehemiah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaldo_Nehemiah) tried to do the same thing back in the 1980s. Didn’t work then. OTOH, Bob Hayes was a successful wide receiver, but he had been playing the game since high school, in addition to being a track star. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usain-bolt-to-the-n-f-l/842652/7 "2019-10-29T16:37:58Z")
Even long snappers need to block. Not sure what he’d be able to do. Maybe play a few snaps as a kickoff returner until he gets hurt? ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usain-bolt-to-the-n-f-l/842652/8 "2019-10-29T16:55:29Z")
Bolt’s speed wouldn’t do him that much good. Cornerbacks could just play 10-15 yards off of him each time, to deny him the deep bomb route. I’m betting he isn’t good at making quick cuts or breaks, or jumping high for a ball. And how good/not good are his hands? And looking at the guy’s physique, a solid vicious hit from a safety could destroy him. He’s made all the money he could ever want, has great fame, no need to wreck his body this way. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usain-bolt-to-the-n-f-l/842652/9 "2019-10-29T17:01:14Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > I feel like this subject gets brought up every couple years, but it’s not like Bolt is actively trying to get in the NFL. He’s literally responding to a question about would he play in the NFL with “If they call me, I’m ready.” > > Which I will also say, if an NFL team wants to offer me a contract, I’m also ready. Hm. I was going to post that the article linked in the OP said Bolt showed up at the NFL Combine this year and set a record for the 40 yard dash, but it turns out that the writer of the article didn’t even read his own link. Bolt went to “Combine Corner” at the “Super Bowl Experience” and ran the 40 yd dash for fun. So piss on Darren Hartwell for spreading misinformation. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usain-bolt-to-the-n-f-l/842652/10 "2019-10-29T17:06:15Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > OTOH, Bob Hayes was a successful wide receiver, but he had been playing the game since high school, in addition to being a track star. Some people think Hayes’ speed led to the zone defense. Other speedster receivers emerged in the NFL back then as the long bomb became popular so it may not have been just him, but that kind of running was a new threat in the game. We have no idea if Bolt can catch a ball, or if he can hold up to blocking and tackles, or even run without starting in the blocks with an empty lane in front of him. He’s talking about this himself, I doubt any football team is considering it seriously. If he was younger maybe a team would give him a good look. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usain-bolt-to-the-n-f-l/842652/11 "2019-10-29T17:10:01Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > Hm. I was going to post that the article linked in the OP said Bolt showed up at the NFL Combine this year and set a record for the 40 yard dash, but it turns out that the writer of the article didn’t even read his own link. Bolt went to “Combine Corner” at the “Super Bowl Experience” and ran the 40 yd dash for fun. So piss on Darren Hartwell for spreading misinformation. Yeah, you can’t just “show up” at the combine. You have to get invited and even if he was it would just be for publicity. ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usain-bolt-to-the-n-f-l/842652/12 "2019-10-29T17:10:14Z")
Bolt has previously expressed an interest in playing cricket in the Australian Big Bash League, as well as soccer football for his favorite English club, Manchester United. He has had unsuccessful soccer football trials with German club Borussia Dortmund and Australian club Central Coast Mariners. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usain-bolt-to-the-n-f-l/842652/13 "2019-10-29T17:11:52Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Olympic hurdler [Renaldo Nehemiah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaldo_Nehemiah) tried to do the same thing back in the 1980s. Didn’t work then. > > OTOH, Bob Hayes was a successful wide receiver, but he had been playing the game since high school, in addition to being a track star. Tyreek Hill is a fantastic modern example, as well. It’s one thing to be fast on a track - most top tier college sprinters could run a 4.2 or faster 40. It’s a whole 'nother thing to be fast with pads on, having to move laterally, and getting knocked on your ass twenty times a game by massive humans. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usain-bolt-to-the-n-f-l/842652/14 "2019-10-29T17:37:08Z")
Maybe Bolt can play in the XFL? I just got notification that my Seattle Dragons t-shirt shipped today. The team may not even last a whole season but I like their logo and wanted a shirt. ---
**Author:** ![lisiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f05b48/32.png) [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usain-bolt-to-the-n-f-l/842652/15 "2019-10-29T19:33:04Z")
> [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > Bolt has previously expressed an interest in playing cricket in the Australian Big Bash League, as well as soccer football for his favorite English club, Manchester United. He has had unsuccessful soccer football trials with German club Borussia Dortmund and Australian club Central Coast Mariners. Which makes me think Mr Bolt just likes having a bit of fun with his interviewers, “Play in the NFL/BBL/EPL/Bundesliga/A-league/[insert sports league here]? Sure why not?” ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usain-bolt-to-the-n-f-l/842652/16 "2019-10-29T19:48:35Z")
**[Moderating]** **racepug** , an OP is more than just a link. If folks just wanted the link, they’d be hanging out at Yahoo instead of here. What’s your take on it? Do you think he’s likely to join an NFL team? Do you think he should? If it’s worth posting, then it’s worth commenting on. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usain-bolt-to-the-n-f-l/842652/17 "2019-10-29T23:49:33Z")
I’m sure UB’d kick ass at darts. ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2019, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usain-bolt-to-the-n-f-l/842652/18 "2019-10-30T00:36:34Z")
> [@lisiate](#): > > Which makes me think Mr Bolt just likes having a bit of fun with his interviewers, “Play in the NFL/BBL/EPL/Bundesliga/A-league/[insert sports league here]? Sure why not?” He’s certainly dabbled with soccer football beyond interview banter. Here’s [highlights of a friendly game](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I8tT1kDkq4) Bolt played with the Central Coast Mariners. Bolt was offered a soccer football contract by the Mariners, and also by Maltese club Valletta FC, but he reportedly turned them down as they did not meet his wage demands. From [a BBC article](https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/45913677): > [@](#): > > In August, the Jamaican admitted he was struggling with the physical demands of professional football “because I’m not used to picking up speed, going back down, up and down, up and down, back and forth, that’s the most challenging.” > … > Former Australia manager, Ange Postecoglou says Bolt has little chance of making it as a professional. > > “I’ve always believed that [soccer] football is one of those sports that’s very, very difficult to just change from one to the other.” > > Former Wolves and Millwall player, Andy Keogh who plays in the A-League says Bolt has a first touch “like a trampoline”. _Ouch_. The article reveals he has also trained with South African side Mamelodi Sundowns FC and Norwegian team Stromsgodset. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2019, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usain-bolt-to-the-n-f-l/842652/19 "2019-10-30T02:58:23Z")
Isn’t there generally a physical contradiction between speed and stamina, such that sprinters can’t last for long, and marathon runners can’t go fast? Bolt sounds like he would be ill-suited to any sport that requires constant, grinding exertion. A sprinter’s body would be fast-twitch muscle fibers that go max all-out at 100% but only for a few seconds., right? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2019, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usain-bolt-to-the-n-f-l/842652/20 "2019-10-30T03:05:50Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Isn’t there generally a physical contradiction between speed and stamina, such that sprinters can’t last for long, and marathon runners can’t go fast? Bolt sounds like he would be ill-suited to any sport that requires constant, grinding exertion. A sprinter’s body would be fast-twitch muscle fibers that go max all-out at 100% but only for a few seconds., right? There’s no physical limitation there. I’m sure Bolt trains for stamina at speeds and distances only other world class runners could maintain. His experience would be perfect for the running aspect of football, not as well matched for soccer but I’m sure he could do as well or better than the average soccer player in the running portion of the game. There is so much more than the running to consider in both sports. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usain-bolt-to-the-n-f-l/842652.md?page=2)