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In a candid interview, Usain Bolt shared why he turned down multiple offers from NFL teams after retiring from sprinting, despite showing interest in exploring other professional sports opportunities.
Multiple Olympic champion Usain Bolt cemented his place in history as the fastest man on earth with eight Olympic gold medals and world records in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay.
The Jamaican superstar's athletic prowess led to interest from numerous other sports following his retirement from sprinting in 2017.
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Among those who reached out were NFL teams eager to recruit Bolt into American football.
However, despite his natural athleticism and explosive speed, Bolt revealed in an interview with Dan Patrick in 2016 that he had turned down all offers to join the NFL, citing concerns over the sport’s physicality.
"I've never really thought about going," Bolt admitted to Irish Star.
"But I've gotten offers and people have asked me."
While Bolt declined to name any specific teams that had approached him, he made it clear that the NFL was not a career path he seriously considered.
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The key reason behind his hesitation? The brutal hits and heavy tackles that are part and parcel of professional football.
"I used to watch [football] when I was younger, and the hits that the guys used to take… I know that it is not as bad now, but the hits that the guys would take kind of turned me off," Bolt explained.
American football has faced increasing scrutiny over the years due to its high injury rates, particularly head trauma and concussions.
Studies have revealed the dangerous long-term effects of these injuries, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain condition linked to repeated head trauma.
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In a study conducted by the University CTE Center, 345 out of 376 deceased NFL players examined were found to have some form of CTE.
The risk of serious injury extends beyond just brain damage.
In one recent incident during a Detroit Lions game, star player Aidan Hutchinson suffered a gruesome leg injury after a collision with his teammate Alim McNeill while sacking Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
The injury was so severe that FOX declined to show replays of the event.
Since retiring from sprinting, Bolt has remained open to exploring other sports, but American football was not the only career opportunity he declined.
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Bolt also made a brief foray into professional soccer, signing with Australia’s Central Coast Mariners in 2018.
However, his stint was short-lived, and he left the team after just eight weeks.
Bolt was even given a two-day trial with German soccer giants Borussia Dortmund the same year, though former coach Peter Stoger admitted the Olympic legend had "a lot of work to do" before he could compete at the highest level.
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