Justin Gatlin, the 2004 Olympics 100 meter champion, worked out with the Tampa Bay Buccanneers during the opener of the team’s minicamp on Friday.
The sprinter, who accepted an eight-year ban from track and field had also worked out for the Houston Texans last November.
Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden joked with reporters that he wanted Gatlin to sign a visor for him, but kept his expectations of the sprinter low.
“If (speed) can transfer to football, you have a real threat,” Gruden said. "If it can’t, it won’t work. But here’s a guy that really hasn’t played college football. He’s played high school football, he’s won the gold medal and he wants to give this a shot.
"This is a good launching pad, a good start for him to see how quickly he picks it up, how natural it is and how far he has to go at the same time.?
And as for the autographs, did Gatlin oblige the Tampa Bay coach?
“Not yet,” said Gruden, “but that’s a goal I have here.”
–USA Today