MAJOR TRACK STARS WHO ALSO MADE THEIR MARKS IN THE NFL:
Bob Hayes: Won the 100 meters in the 1964 Olympics by a margin of 4 meters, then made up 9 meters on the field to anchor the gold-medal 400 relay team. Was twice named a first-team All-Pro, went to three Pro Bowls and earned a Super Bowl ring with the Cowboys. Caught at least 10 touchdown passes in five seasons. Was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009, seven years after he died at 59, his life cut short by years of drug and alcohol abuse.
Ollie Matson: Won a bronze medal in the 400 meters and a silver in the 1,600 relay in the 1952 Olympics. Went to six Pro Bowls in his 14 NFL seasons with four franchises and became a Hall of Famer for his exploits as a runner, receiver and kick returner (running back nine in his career for touchdowns).
Willie Gault: Made the 1980 Olympic team that boycotted the Moscow Games but helped the U.S. 400 relay team set a world record at the 1983 world championships. After being drafted in the first round by the Bears, he played 11 seasons, finishing with 333 catches (averaging 19.9 yards) and 44 touchdowns while winning a Super Bowl ring with Chicago.
James Jett: A seven-time track All-American and Olympic gold medalist in 1988 as part of the 400 relay team, he signed with the Raiders as an undrafted free agent. Had a career-high 45 catches for 882 yards and six touchdowns in 1996.
Ron Brown: After earning a gold medal during the 1984 Olympics as part of the 400 relay team anchored by Carl Lewis, became a Pro Bowl kick returner for the Rams in 1985, when he ran three back for touchdowns. Spent eight seasons in the NFL.
James Trapp: After being an alternate on the 1992 U.S. Olympic team, Trapp was drafted in the third round by the Raiders and enjoyed an 11-year NFL career with three teams as a defensive back, finishing with nine interceptions.
Michael Bates: An Olympic bronze medalist in 1992, the Victoria native earned five Pro Bowl invitations and was firstteam All-Pro in 1996 as a Carolina Panthers kick returner, running back five for touchdowns in an 11-year career spent with six teams.
AND FOUR WHO DIDN’T:
Jim Hines: Won two gold medals in the 1968 Olympics and held the world 100-meter record for 15 years, but the former TSU star, after being drafted by Miami in the sixth round, appeared in only 10 NFL games, making just two catches.
Renaldo Nehemiah: A world record-holder in the 110-meter hurdles, he played four seasons as a wide receiver for San Francisco and won a Super Bowl ring. But made four starts and finished with 43 catches before returning to the track circuit.
Johnny “Lam” Jones: The second overall pick in the 1980 NFL draft by the New York Jets after being a member of the 400 Olympic gold medal-winning relay team in 1976, he caught 138 passes (13 for touchdowns) over five seasons after signing a then-record $2.1 million contract.
Sam Graddy: Finished second in the 100 meters and won the gold medal in the 400 relay in the 1984 Olympics, then played five NFL seasons for the Raiders and the Broncos, catching 18 passes.