Meet Henry Ellard: from NFL to M55 USA triple jump record man
Henry Ellard does his thing with Rams back when.
Masterstrack.com: What do you do for a living? Still coaching?
Henry Ellard: I’m no longer coaching, My last year of coaching was in 2014 for the New Orleans Saints. I now own a residential redevelopment company.
What was your series at USA Masters Games? Any fouls? What was weather like?
My TJ series: 13.12, 12.73, 12.83 and 13.36. No fouls, l believe it was 93 degrees.
Tell me about the 1992 Trials. How did you get hurt?
1992 Olympic trials: Fouled on my first attempt and pulled my hamstring on my second attempt, so I never recorded a legal jump.
You told a paper: “It’s funny, but my girls all run track, and one day I was out there, and I saw this older guy working on the pole vault, so I went over and started talking to him.” Who was that vaulter?
Yes, we were living in New Orleans at the time. I was working with my 11-year-old daughter at the time, who was training for the USATF Junior Olympic 1500m Race Walk in Houston.
I saw the guy pole vaulting and was curious as to why, so I went over and asked. He told me he was preparing to compete in a masters track and field meet, which got my attention. I have always enjoyed working out and told myself, “Why not give it a try?”
And here I am: 3 years later setting an age-group record. I love everything about it because it brings out the competitiveness in all of us and promotes staying active as you age.
How did you manage to avoid knee and other injuries from NFL?
Truly blessed to not have any major knee issues. Don’t get me wrong; I have my days like everyone else, but to have played 16 years in the NFL and still be able to compete is truly a blessing. But like I said earlier, staying active I believe really helps.
Share your training secrets. How much weights, plyos, jumping?
Trainings secrets — there are none. I try to work out four days a week. I will do bounding drills or plyos once a week; lifting weights twice a week. I try to leave the jumping for the meets.
Can you reach a WR 14.13?
I’m not sure if I will be able to reach 14.13m, but I’m definitely going to give it a try.
Any other meets this year? Will you enter events other than TJ?
No more meets this year. Usually I’m done after the nationals, but because I was turning 55 and knew there was a shot at the age-group record, I wanted to try and take advantage of the opportunity. I’ve competed in the HJ (1.65) and the LJ (5.80) as well.
Have you spoken with other NFLers in track since resuming track — James Lofton, Willie Gault, Phil McConkey?
A couple of years ago, I talked to James Lofton about it.
What other goals do you have in masters track?
I would like to compete overseas somewhere one of these days.
What’s your advice for others thinking about jumping back in the game?
Why not? It’s a great way to stay shape and have fun doing it.
5 Responses
Had the opportunity to coach track at Tulare Western when Henry was jumping for Hoover High School(Fresno). Both a great talent and person. We had a very good triple jumper (48 feet) that Henry took the time to mentor as the best jumper in the state could only do. Henry was an example of a time that has passed – that of being a two sport athlete. It makes me sad to think of all the football players who could have and can benefit from being involved in a quality track program.
Great to see a former NFL great in masters track. I won’t hold it against Henry for burning the Cowboys many times.
Had the pleasure of photographing Henry during his TJ competition at the USA Masters Games ten days ago in Greensboro. Great guy. He mentioned how invaluable his track experience was to his NFL career.
Henry should visit trackforlife.com for meets this fall in the Austin/San Antonio area. We would love to see him at San Marcos in mid-September for a TexasvsWorld meet. We need more of his caliber of person and athlete in masters track and field. As Lindy said above, we won’t hold anything against him for beating the Cowboys.
Henry Ellard was a great NFL player and should be in the Hall of Fame!
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