In an open conversation, Usain Bolt candidly explained why he declined several offers from NFL teams after retiring from sprinting, despite showing interest in other sports.
The eight-time Olympic gold medalist solidified his status as the fastest man in history with record-breaking performances in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay events.
Following his retirement in 2017, Bolt’s exceptional athletic abilities attracted interest from a variety of sports, including American football.
During a 2016 interview with Dan Patrick, Bolt disclosed that several NFL teams had approached him. However, he turned down every offer, expressing concerns about the physical demands of the sport.
“I’ve never really thought about going,” Bolt confessed to Irish Star. “But I’ve gotten offers and people have asked me.”
While he didn’t mention any specific teams, Bolt was clear that he had little interest in pursuing a career in the NFL. His main reason? The sport’s physicality, particularly the tough hits players endure.
“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,” he explained.
Over the years, concerns about American football’s injury risks, especially regarding head trauma and concussions, have intensified. Numerous studies have highlighted the long-term consequences of these injuries, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain condition caused by repeated head impacts.
Research from the University CTE Center found that 345 out of 376 deceased NFL players studied had developed some form of CTE. And the risk of injury extends beyond just the brain.
In a recent game involving the Detroit Lions, Aidan Hutchinson suffered a severe leg injury after colliding with teammate Alim McNeill while sacking Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. The injury was so graphic that FOX refused to show the replay.
Bolt has remained open to new challenges since stepping away from track and field, though football wasn’t his only declined opportunity.
He briefly ventured into soccer, signing with Australia’s Central Coast Mariners in 2018, though his stint lasted only eight weeks. That same year, he had a two-day trial with Borussia Dortmund, but former coach Peter Stöger remarked that Bolt still had “a lot of work to do” to reach a competitive level.
