Ex-Giants Running Back David Wilson Has Sights On USA Olympic Track Team

Former New York Giants running back David Wilson’s athletic career might not be over after all.

Wilson was forced to retire earlier this month because of serious and recurrent neck injuries. He expressed that he was grateful for his time in the NFL and would dream to do something else with his life.

That time appears to be now.

Not only did Wilson play football when he attended Virginia Tech, but he also a member of the the track team and competed in the triple jump. He was so successful in the event that he was named an All-American in 2011.

Wilson said he’s looking to get back into the triple jump and hoping to make the United States track team for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil.

“That’s where I want to go,” Wilson told the New York Post on Monday. “It’s like playing football. You don’t grow up wanting to play in the Canadian League. Everyone wants to play in the NFL. That’s the mindset I have. I want to compete in the best meets. I’m excited to get back into it.”

Transitioning from life in the NFL might be difficult for some, but Wilson said it won’t be difficult for him to adjust back into track.

“I never really looked at myself as a football player,” Wilson said. “I looked at myself as a person that’s good at football and good at a lot of the other stuff. Having that transition is not really that hard to do. I just looked at myself as a competitor.”

Photo via Noah K. Murray/USA TODAY Sports Images