When does masters track get mentioned in a Super Bowl story? When a former New York Giants star is quoted about the big game. So it is for our San Diego friend Phil McConkey, best known for his part in Super Bowl XXI. We learn from the New York Daily News: “These days, McConkey, 54, owns several businesses in the San Diego area but he isn’t done competing. He runs the 100 and 200 meter sprints in Masters Track events. In fact, he’ll be in Indiana in a couple of weeks for the national indoor meet.” He told the Daily News: “I’m still working hard. Every day, I have to prove something, still. You’d think I’d mellow out… But I can’t.”
Phil (at left) is a regular at the San Diego Senior Olympics (shown in 2010).
8 Responses
Terrific news that Phil is still competing. I’ll holler at him in Bloomington to cheer him on. I was at the first Super Bowl in Los Angeles. I had $12 tickets. The players looked like ants, they were so far away. I had fake binoculars. They were hollow and filled with wine. Fun in the sun. Smartty
Yes, Jerry, it’s great news that Phil McConkey is competing. I am quite sure that this is his first masters nationals. Perhaps having a former professional football player in the field will help us get more publicity.
Right now it seems certain that the M50 60 dash will require trials, as there are already 7 sprinters signed up, headed by former champion Lovell Butler.
The M50 200 will almost certainly require trials as well, with a field of 4 at this point that is headed by the redoubtable James Chinn, the 2005 world outdoor champ in the 400.
I am sure that Phil McConkey will make the finals in both races, but can he beat Lovell Butler in the 60 and James Chinn in the 200?
Peter,
Having the opportunity to train some with Phil, I’m sure he’ll be tough in Bloomington. Fortunately for Lovell and myself, Phill will be 55 for indoor nationals.
Right you are, Jim. He is 54 now, but to confirm your information he is turning 55 on February 24. As things look now, he appears to be a lock for a medal at Bloomington in the dashes, but the superstars have yet to enter.
Let us not forget the reigning 2011 60 Meter Indoor Champion. It will be fun to see all the superstars compete for the 2012 title.
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KENNETH EATON
CLEMSON,SC on 01/21/2012
I, for one, completely forgot that Kenneth Eaton won the M50 60 dash at Albuquerque last March. I went to the http://www.usatf.org website to confirm that he had won, but I see that the 60 dashes for that meet are still under review (and no winners or times are listed). Per the website:
“All 60m races are currently under review”
Here is a link to an NFL Films special on Phil, a fellow pilot and USNA graduate. It’s an excellent feature.
http://footballpros.com/content.php/289-NFL-Films-Feature-on-Phil-McConkey
I am sure that Phil McConkey will make the finals in both races, but can he beat Lovell Butler in the 60 and James Chinn in the 200?
The answer is: HECK NO!!
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