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Justin Gatlin, World's Fastest Man, Tries Out With Texans

Nov 29, 2006 – 7:49 AM
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Michael David Smith

Michael David Smith %BloggerTitle%

Justin Gatlin set the world record in the 100-meter dash, but when he tested positive for a banned substance, the world of track and field told him he wasn't welcome back in the sport until 2014. An eight-year suspension is kind of a big deal, so Gatlin has decided to try another sport. He tried out with the Houston Texans this week.

Gatlin hasn't played football since high school, but his agent figures if you're the fastest man in the world, you could probably run some decent deep routes. And his agent should know: He's Renaldo Nehemiah, a former world-class hurdler and receiver for the San Francisco 49ers.

Gatlin is listed as 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, which certainly within the range of the right size for an NFL receiver. The one problem for Gatlin is that the NFL might not like having its pristine image tainted by a guy who was banned from another sport. Roger Goodell might lean on the Texans to avoid signing Gatlin, but if they're convinced that a speedy receiver like Gatlin is just what David Carr needs, that's a battle they'll be willing to fight.
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