Sprintin' Forties

Not long after I put up my first Usain Bolt post, I came across this article on pro-football-reference.com, where they speculate that Usain Bolt would run a 40 yard dash in 4.22 seconds - just a hair faster than the 4.24 run by Chris Johnson in the 2008 scouting combine. I thought it sounded absurd - to think that an NFL running back would be anywhere close to the fastest man to ever walk the earth.

Last night I watched Adrian Peterson break free on a 75 yard TD run where he out-sprinted everyone to the end zone. The ESPN spedometer had him peaking out at 21.7 MPH. A breakaway punt return by Reggie Bush last year had him peaking out at about 22 MPH. Bolt's top speed in his WR setting 100m was almost 28 MPH. You can certainly question the accuracy of ESPN's spedometer, but seriously - For Bolt, 22 MPH is running about 75%. He can probably carioca 22 MPH. I can't imagine these guys coming close to Bolt, even in a short 40 yard race. This got me thinking again...except this time, rather than being the 500th person to 'project' what Bolt might run, I'm going to propose an idea to solve this two week old quandry:

Usain Bolt must run at the NFL combine.

The key here is that it HAS to take place at the combine. I don't want to see Bolt run a 40 at some special tricked out track with spikes and starting blocks. I need to see him on the field turf at Lucas Oil stadium using the same timing system as all of the NFL prospects. I want Bolt running the same straightaway we see Rich Eisen sprinting in a full suit. (Make sure you watch that whole clip - nothing funnier than the simulcam starting at 2:25)

Would Bolt do it? Appearance fees are commonplace for track athletes - an article on ESPN.com recently mentioned Bolt as running a race on a shanty track through the streets of Toronto for $250k. So give Bolt the $250k appearance fee, plus bonus $ at different incentive times...Running a 40 two or three times has to be better than racing a horse or an ostrich.

Would it interfere with his training? This is the best part - the NFL Combine is usually right after the indoor world championships, so it would occur just as Bolt is peaking for the 60m, the closest race to a 40 yard dash that world class sprinters run. All he would have to do is take a week or so to perfect the different start that athletes use for the 40.

Who would pay for it? How about this for synergy - Gatorade, the official sports drink of the NFL, also has an endorsement contract with Bolt. This becomes a 15 minute Gatorade commercial watched worldwide.

Would the NFL do it? Probably the biggest question mark, but I don't see why it couldn't happen. The Gatorade mutual endorsements have to help. Making it a part of the NFL Scouting Combine would draw more attention to the NFL Network and their coverage of the event. Plus I can think of one more kicker that I'm sure the NFL would love: Televising the event on the NFL Network is just another way to stick it to Time Warner.

Here's what I'm proposing: Whatever night Eisen usually runs his 40, Bolt runs as well. He gets his $250k appearance fee, plus incentives for time. Bolt gets three attempts to clock the fastest time he can - if he runs faster than the fastest NFL prospect, he takes home $500k. Runs under 4.2 - $600k; Under 4.1: $750k, and if he can break 4.00, he takes home $1 million. That should be enough cash to motivate Bolt to run the race..and for the number eyes it would bring to the NFL Network or Gatorade, it would be money well spent.