NFL Wide Receiver Taking His Shot At a U.S. Olympic Trials Qualifier

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

One name that popped out immediately on the newly released entry list for Sunday's USATF Golden Games and Distance Open at Mt. SAC was that of Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf. 

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Metcalf, who made the Pro Bowl after his second season with the Seahawks in 2020, has gained acclaim for being one of the fastest players in the NFL. His chase-down tackle of Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker in Week 7 last fall became a meme and showed some serious speed. 

But on Sunday he will be put to the test in a lineup that includes world-class sprinters Ronnie Baker, Chris Belcher and Michael Rodgers. 

Metcalf's roots are interesting and indicate connections that might have something to do with his motivation. He was born in Oxford, Miss., went to Oxford High School and then stayed at home to attend Ole Miss. 

That's the same path taken by Oxford native Sam Kendricks, the two-time world champion in the pole vault. Kendricks is five years older than Metcalf, so they didn't overlap in school but they were in the same circles. 

Metcalf participated on the boys track team at Oxford High, where he was the state championship runner-up in the 110-meter hurdles (14.89 seconds) and triple jump (46-5) in 2016, the same year Kendricks earned a bronze medal in Rio de Janeiro. He is the school record holder in both events. 

Metcalf dropped this item into his Twitter feed this week, indicating he is ready to go.