VIDEO: Missy Franklin takes on former Cal footballer Brett Buchanan in ‘Buchanan Invite’

What happens when a former college football player challenges the world’s greatest female swimmer to a swim-off?

The 2015 Buchanan Invitational, that’s what.

Ex-Cal tight end Brett Buchanan took on Olympic hero Missy Franklin in a series of 25s this month at the University of California’s Spieker Aquatics Complex. You can check out the video of their battle above, courtesy of Brett Buchanan on YouTube.

As with any great clash of sporting titans, the lead-up to the actual race is perhaps the most entertaining thing of all. Each competitor gets his or her own pre-race processional. Franklin, the 4-time Olympic gold medalist, enters first, showing off her trademark dance moves – no joke, she even does the worm on the way to the starting end! – before Buchanan enters in full ‘Rocky’ mode, complete with an entourage of supporters.

The two handle some pre-swim press by the pool, including such illuminating questions as “What was your opinion on FDR’s New Deal?” Missy, of course, can deftly articulate her way around any tough question while still coming across like an inspiration, but you also have to give credit to Buchanan, who does appear to have a better grasp on the historical details of the World War II-era political agenda.

Finally, Franklin and Buchanan go head-to-head in a series of three 25s. We won’t spoil the winner for you, but can note that it’s much, much closer than you might expect. The big man can swim, and he gives Franklin a run for her money in what is billed as her first professional race.

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Alonso
8 years ago

he should give me that carbon instead haha

Gina Rhinestone
8 years ago

A better question to 2 athletes was – why & how did Americans not realise FDR was a ‘cripple’ ( the contemporary term) ?

Lane Four
Reply to  Gina Rhinestone
8 years ago

I do believe an even more important question Gina, is how many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?

Gina Rhinestone
Reply to  Lane Four
8 years ago

Athletes who are not those totally immersed in themselves often gave a heightened observation & appreciation of physicality. Indeed Ms Franklin attended The Wounded Warriors event hosted by Prince Harry .

Why would not she be able to make some good points? If anything it shows that a man crippled by ( what they now think is ) Giulian Barre ‘s disease could both manage this PR stint and shoulder massive psychological loads . On one hand SwSw touts MF’s high psychology academics yet you treat my extension question as infantile .

The other guy seems a bit smart also . I have witnessed many Americans discussing the NewDeal but – it was the same social policy evolvement in… Read more »

bobo gigi
8 years ago

Thanks Bobo Gigi for the video.
And yes, that guy can swim. At least 25 yards. Over, I’m not sure. 🙂

Curios
Reply to  bobo gigi
8 years ago

Why dont they just hire you?

8 years ago

Love the sign that says “Melissa is a generic name”

Duckduckgoose
8 years ago

Good stuff, thanks for posting. Buchanan’s cousin, Collin Smith, is married to Caitlin Leverenz. Collin’s played for the U.S. National water polo team and was an All-American and captain at Cal.

About Jared Anderson

Jared Anderson

Jared Anderson swam for nearly twenty years. Then, Jared Anderson stopped swimming and started writing about swimming. He's not sick of swimming yet. Swimming might be sick of him, though. Jared was a YMCA and high school swimmer in northern Minnesota, and spent his college years swimming breaststroke and occasionally pretending …

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