22 Olympic medals in swimming…..the world’s longest televised putt in golf….it’s hard to imagine what record-breaking statistic Michael Phelps would have racked up in the sport of football, had he possibly taken that path.
Growing up, several of Phelps’ friends were part of the football scene, so, quite naturally, the Baltimore native wanted to join up with his buddies. Keep in mind, this was at a time when young high school freshman Phelps was already breaking national age group records. Phelps-inspired fans, swimmers and sports enthusiasts around the world have none other than his mother Debbie Phelps to thank for steering the youngster toward his undeniable natural talent.
Mrs. Phelps told Yahoo Sports, “When he told me he wanted to play football, I didn’t say, ‘No you have to swim.” Instead, Mrs. Phelps did what most moms do, try to balance her child’s aspirations against a little bit of reality by telling him, “Only a small percentage of varsity football players get a scholarship to a D-I school and an even smaller percentage make the NFL.”
In conversations that would end up foreshadowing the 18-time gold medalist’s career, Mrs. Phelps further encouraged her son to think about what he had already accomplished at such a young age and to focus on “where he could possibly go” in the sport of swimming. In her words, Mrs. Phelps “thought the best way of teaching would be to explain his options and help him make the right choice.”
Of course, Phelps makes his still-present love of football known by way of his loyalty to the Baltimore Ravens and his close friendship with retired superstar, Ray Lewis. But we are all ever in Mrs. Phelps’ debt for helping the greatest Olympian of all time realize and embrace his passion to ultimately drive him to where he, and the sport, are today.
I think Michael was average with ball sports. He was an average soccer player as a kid. Michael didn’t have the problems that some kids with ADHD have which is poor coordination.
I’m not sure how that top-heavy frame with the stumpy little legs would do when having to make quick directional changes or take a hit. Probably best to stay in the water.
Put some weight on him, and I can envision him as a pass rushing defensive end on a 4-3 defense. His signature move would be the classic outside “swat and swim” technique.
Or perhaps not.
i remember that Steve Lundquist played HS football and was the first to go under 2 min for the 200 yd. breast with little winter swim training
I’m just gonna guess he would have been a pretty good football player.
But not the best ever.
Good choice Michael.
He would have made a great water-boy 😉
Thank goodness he didn’t go that direction with his life. He was literally built to swim
I’m generally all in favor of kids, even high school kids, playing multiple sports in addition to swimming.
But football’s low on the list of ideal sports and Michael Phelps is very low on the list of people I’d have wanted to branch out into other things.