The Super Bowl Meets Track and Field

The Super Bowl Meets Track and Field

The Super Bowl is this Sunday! Wahoo! You already knew that, of course, because football is pretty much a religion in the United States and you’re probably

Feb 5, 2016 by Lincoln Shryack
The Super Bowl Meets Track and Field
The Super Bowl is this Sunday! Wahoo! You already knew that, of course, because football is pretty much a religion in the United States and you’re probably all set for the big game. But you may not have known that the stars of this year’s Panthers-Broncos soiree are all-too-similar to some big names in the running world. That’s right, one of those articles.

Well, luckily for you, and inspired by last week’s Centro’s dab (spoiler alert), we’ve compiled a list of names, figures, and… we’ll say aspects of the game that have similar counterparts in our sport.

Peyton Manning is Meb Keflezighi


Two legends at the tail end of the twilight phase of their careers, Peyton and Meb align easily. The 39-year-old Broncos QB seems certain to play his final game in Super Bowl 50 on Sunday, while the 40-year-old Meb is looking to run at least two more marathons, with the Rio Olympic marathon a possible career exit on the grandest stage just like Manning. Let’s be honest though, they’ll both probably keep going.

Cam Newton is Matt Centrowitz



This one became obvious after Centro’s ode to the star QB’s signature celebration last weekend, but these two also match up since they both are currently the best— Newton is the clear NFL MVP, while Centro is unquestionably the top miler in the U.S. right now. Also I just found out what dabbing actually meant so wow I am old.

Von Miller is Ryan Bailey


The Broncos sack artist utilized the tacky crotch grab after dragging down Tom Brady in the AFC Championship, a move that’s the slimy relative of Ryan Bailey’s throat slash post-4x1 victory over a Bolt-anchored Jamaica squad at World Relays. Despite being ugly and uncreative, both conquests share the distinction of making me burst out in laughter.

Teddy Williams is Teddy Williams


The Panthers second-string corner isn’t a household name, but he did run 9.90 in the 100m back in 2009. The wind was a tornadic +7.8 in that race so Williams hasn’t really run 9.90, but the point is that he’s pretty fast for a guy with zero career starts in the NFL.

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Future Panthers cornerback Teddy Williams (1566) back in 2010

Brock Osweiler is The Relay Runner Who Doesn’t Get To Run The Final


To win gold you have to get through the rounds, but it’s not like Jamaica’s 4x1 semi-final anchor is getting much credit by the time Usain Bolt busts across the line in the final. That’s Broncos back-up QB Brock Osweiler, who was key to Denver’s run to the playoffs, but has, um, been a bit overshadowed by Mr. Manning while settling back into his sideline role. The good news is that you still get a ring/medal even if you’re on the bench.

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Roger Goodell is Seb Coe


And now, a turn to the sport’s gloomy side! Coe’s claims of ignorance of the IAAF corruption feels a lot like Goodell’s (mis) handling of the Ray Rice footage. However, both seem to be indestructible despite controversy.

Graham Gano and Brandon McManus are Race Walkers


People say kickers aren’t real football players and those people would probably say the same thing about race walkers and track.

The New England Patriots are Russian Track & Field


Hey oh! Outside of their cheating ways, these two squads appear destined to have another commonality: watching the biggest game from home. Roasted.

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