Devon Allen has full support from Oregon football for Olympics

It’s rare these days to see an athlete excel in multiple sports, but Devon Allen thrives on both the track and the gridiron. The Oregon wide receiver, recently named by NFL.com as the fastest player in college football, is heading to the Rio Olympics in the 110 hurdles.

At this year’s Olympic Trials, Allen won the 110 hurdles final in 13.03 seconds, earning his spot on Team USA for next month’s summer Olympics in Rio. While some athletes may have to worry about how their other coach feels about participating in another sport, Allen can rest easy.

Oregon football coach Mark Helfrich was asked how he felt about Devon Allen making it onto the Olympic team, and it was nothing but support. Helfrich said that he was tearing up the night that Allen made the team and that he still gets misty-eyed when he sits down to think about it. Helfrich went on to say he felt that way because Allen is a great kid and a great representative of the university.

Allen overcame some major obstacles to get to this point, coming back from a torn ACL he suffered in the Rose Bowl against Florida State in 2015, which makes where he is today that much better.