DK Metcalf’s 100m Future, Predicting Team USA, And Tokyo On A Razor’s Edge: Notebook

All eyes were on the Track & Field world this weekend, as Seattle Seahawks’ Wide Receiver DK Metcalf answered USATF’s call. Pre-race speculation (included in last week’s notebook) would see him run anywhere from 9.8 — his top speed during his famous touchdown saving tackle last season — to 10.8 — speculation that lack of preparedness and general block technique would hinder his ability to start. To DK Metcalf’s credit, he didn’t show up to be a media circus, it was clear that he has respect for the fellow sprinters he lined up against. That’s all we ask for, anytime an NFL player claims he could have beaten Usain Bolt… it shows a clear lack of respect and understanding towards athletes who dedicate their entire life to their craft… and the media personalities who cover them.

The discourse around DK Metcalf by outside commentators speaks to the heart of Track & Field’s issues. The inability to present our sport in an engaging way to non-track fans spoils a huge opportunity to gain important societal cache. DK Metcalf was never going to make it out of the 100m heats, so unless some random football fan had a USATF.TV+ subscription — they were never going to stick around to see Noah Lyles survive Kenny…