Former NFL RB Jahvid Best to compete at Rio Olympics
Jahvid Best was a stand out high school track and field star before going on to play running back in the NFL for the Detroit Lions. He hasn't played football since 2011, retiring after a concussion-laden two seasons.
Now he's going to the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio as a member of Saint Lucia's track and field squad.
According to the Sporting News, Best holds dual citizenship by way of his father, who was born in Saint Lucia. His best 100-meter dash times would not have qualified him for the USA Olympic team, but the tiny nation was happy to sign him up.
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Best, speaking to NBC Sports, had this to say about his new athletic endeavor: "When I think [about] the road I have traveled to get here I get tons of emotions. A couple of years ago my lifetime dream was crushed. I was devastated, but I never stop dreaming and believing in myself. My family has instilled a lot of values that has enabled me to persevere through it all."
After commenting on how big of an accomplishment it was for him, he said: "I have only been in this sport for two years professionally, and plan on being around for a long time...Above all else I'm excited to get out there and make my country and family proud!"
The Olympics always provide plenty of inspiring and heart-warming story lines. Jahvid Best and his second chance at athletic glory fits the bill perfectly.
