WALNUT, CALIFORNIA – MAY 09: DK Metcalf warms up prior to the Men’s 100 Meter Dash during the USATF Golden Games and World Athletics Continental Tour event at Mt. San Antonio College on May 09, 2021 in Walnut, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
Legendary sprinter Michael Johnson made it clear sprinters are upset at DK Metcalf for running in the 100 meters, but he also said it’s not his fault.
On Sunday, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf put on his racing shoes and competed in the 100 meters, going up against some of the fastest sprinters in the world. Metcalf held his own and ran a 10.36, but he ended up finishing in last place.
Still, for a 6-foot-3, 235-pound specimen to run that kind of a race was brilliant. At the same time, some sprinters out there felt like this was just kind of a side show and Metcalf didn’t belong out on the track in the first place.
DK Metcalf finished in last place of his 100-meters race
Olympic legend Michael Johnson took to Twitter to voice things, but at the same time, he also said this isn’t on Metcalf. Per Johnson, racing in general isn’t as popular as it should be. To the sprinters, they don’t need someone like Metcalf to step in and race in order for sprinting to get this kind of publicity.
Johnson also made it quite clear he doesn’t blame Metcalf at all for racing on Sunday. He was given the opportunity to put on a show and he did. Yeah, he got last place, but for him to record a 10.36 really is sensational. It would have been different if, say, he ran an 11.5 or something. While that’s an incredible time for most athletes, Metcalf would have been left in the dust by the others competing.
He was at least close here. Again, Johnson has no beef with Metcalf for running, he just wishes people would respect the sprinters a little more as a whole.