It’s not often you see a legitimate two-sport star at the NFL and Olympic level, that’s exactly what Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Devon Allen is doing this summer as he’s balancing high-level track meets with preparing for the upcoming NFL season – and he’s turning some heads with his success on the track.
This week, Devon Allen placed second in the 110-meter hurdles at the USATF New York City Grand Prix on Saturday with a time of 13.04 seconds. Allen’s time is good for the fourth-fastest time in the entire world this year.
“It’s going well,” Allen said. “Balancing both is difficult, but I’m having a lot of fun as long as I can stay healthy. Get to compete against these guys in high-quality competition. 13.01 and 13.04 is nothing to scoff at. So, we’re ready to go.”
Next, Allen is slated to race at the USATF Outdoor Championships. With a top-three finish there, he would qualify World Athletics Championships which would set up an interesting dilemma as the event takes place from Aug. 18-27, which is the heart of Eagles training camp – a vital time for a player trying to make the team’s roster.
But Allen isn’t worried about that just yet.
“Yeah, I still don’t have a plan of what I’m gonna do with Worlds being, you know, during training camp,” Allen told KPIC 4 in an interview last week preceding Saturday’s Grand Prix. “Obviously, it’d be nice to compete at Worlds and also it would be nice to be at training camp so I can make the 53-man roster. So, obviously it’s gonna be a little bit of a decision, but I’m not going to worry about that, like I said, until I make the world championship team. USA is a competitive meet. Just got to focus on doing that first.”
[NFL.com]
About Kevin Harrish