Despite a spectacular touchdown catch in a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns last week, Olympic 110-meter hurdler Devon Allen has been cut from the Philadelphia Eagles.
Allen was signed by the National Football League team in April as a wide receiver. The University of Oregon-alum played the position in college before deciding to pursue a professional track and field career. The choice paid off for Allen—he won three U.S. outdoor 110-meter hurdle titles and qualified for two Olympic teams—but he still wanted to play professional football.
“It’s now or never because I don't want to get too old,” Allen said at the April 1 pro day. “I don’t want to turn 30, 31, and then try and get into the NFL. I know the skill gap is still there from college to the NFL, but I think when I did play college and when I did play at a pretty good level, I would consider myself talented enough to play in the NFL.”
It’s another disappointment for Allen after being controversially disqualified from the World Athletics Championships 110-meter hurdle final for a false start.
“Track and field is so difficult, because you train all year for one competition that lasts 12, 13 seconds,” Allen said after the race on July 17. “And that’s that. Your identity is based all on that one competition which is frustrating. It happens. I’ll learn from it. Make sure I react not as fast next time.”
Sources report that Allen will have a good chance of making the Eagles’ practice squad even though he didn’t make the 53-player roster. He showed flashes of greatness, which included the aforementioned touchdown run and 4.35 40-yard dash on pro day.
Regardless of what happens, NBC Sports reported that he plans to return to the track next season.
Chris Hatler is the Deputy Editor of Esquire. He previously served as the Senior Editor of Men’s Journal and Features Editor of Popular Mechanics.
