Jeff Demps made one thing clear during a recent radio interview: Track comes first.
Demps suggested in the interview that he would not be able to join the Patriots until midseason due to his track and field career. The former Florida Gator announced last month he was returning to track.
“Listen coach, I want to do both,” Demps said when asked by David Baumann of Sports Talk Florida how Bill Belichick might react to his request to do both sports. “But in order for me to get to where I want to be on the track and field side, it’ll take a full year of preparation. And after the season, if you guys are willing to let me come back, you know, probably midseason, and work out and train and get ready for the season, I’ll be able to do that. But if not, then I guess I’ll just focus on running.”
Demps said he expected to miss three, four or five games in 2013. The running back also said the idea that his football career may be over is not a scary thought.
“If I’m not able to do football anymore, it’s kind of like I’m just opening up another chapter of my life, and it’s on the track and field side,” Demps said.
Demps was signed as an undrafted free agent in August 2012 on a three-year, $1.451 million contract. When asked in the interview whether track or football gave him a bigger thrill, he answered that crossing the finish line was more exciting than scoring a touchdown.
Watch Demps’ full interview in the video below.
