NFL Stars To Pursue Track Careers If Lockout Continues

Some of the biggest players in the NFL have a backup plan in case the lockout stretches on: to run track.

Written by: Cielestia Calbay

Some of the biggest players in the NFL have a backup plan in case the lockout stretches on: to run track.

Powerhouse running backs like Kansas City Chiefs’ Jamaal Charles, Tennessee Titans’ Chris Johnson, Minnesota Vikings’ Adrian Peterson and Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson, are all sprinters and are looking to take their speed back onto the track if the nearly two-month-old lockout continues to keep them off the playing fields.

The NFL and the NFL Players’ Association are currently in negotiations to install a new collective bargaining agreement before the 2011 season. The current agreement expired last March and if the two parties cannot come to an agreement before the 2011 season, it’s likely the league will face a lockout in which there will not be any games until an agreement is made about the players’ salaries.

Charles, who has been the most vocal about his intent to return to track, was adamant about forming a team for the Texas Relays with Johnson, Peterson and Jackson.

Charles curtailed a promising track career at the University of Texas to focus on football. The former All-American standout excelled in the men’s 100-meter, the 200 and 4×400-meter relay at Texas.

Though he may not be an Olympic sprinter, Johnson is the fastest player in the history of the NFL Scouting Combine. While in high school, he ran a 10.5-second 100-meter dash and a 21.3-second 200-meter dash.

Peterson also ran track and field in high school in which he ran a 10.33-second 100-meter dash while Jackson is a top, 4.35-second performer in the 40-meter dash.

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