Bob Hayes: Florida A&M's Sprint to Fame and Its Influence on Track and Field
Bob Hayes: Florida A&M's Sprint to Fame and Its Influence on Track and Field
By Jason Bolton August 05, 2024 04:25
The name Bob Hayes has always echoed in the corridors of athletics when we start mentioning excellence mostly in track and field, transcending to American football. His path from boyhood athlete in Jacksonville, Florida, to Olympic champion and NFL superstar is testimony to the unique blend of talent he had been born with. The piece goes deep into Hayes' story, from his early days at Florida A&M University to his transcending moments in track & field, and much more.
Background and Early Life
Robert Lee Hayes was born December 20, 1942, in Jacksonville, Florida, where segregation still prevailed and few opportunities existed for many young black athletes to government mandate. However, despite his hardships, Hayes showed an outstanding talent from a young age in the athletic field. His spotlight as a speedster shone at Matthew Gilbert High School, where he competed in football and track. His high school coach, Earl Kitching, noticed the talent and urged Hayes to focus on sports.
Growing up, he was undoubtedly a superior athlete with abilities in multiple endeavors, but his sprinting skills first separated him from the pack. By the time he left high school, he was one of the region's fastest runners and earned a scholarship to study at Florida A&M University (FAMU), a historically black college in Tallahassee.
Years as a FAMU Rattler Student-Athlete
Hayes excelled in track and field and football at Florida A&M. His skill level flourished coaching under the legendary Jake Gaither, and he soon became a fierce competitor. Gaither saw shallow talent in Hayes and offered to let him run track if he stuck with the football team, too.
At FAMU, Hayes was never beaten in the 100-yard or 100-meter events during his college career, a record-setting four-year run that continues today. It was easy to see his dominance on the track, as he picked up a host of championships, including three straight AAU 100-yard dash titles from 1962-64 and an NCAA crown in the 200-meter run in '64.
However, it was only sometimes smooth sailing for Hayes on the athletic front. His accomplishments aside, he was still a black man living in the South with all its racial segregation. His presence was overlooked by many predominantly white institutions, which inhibited his exposure and opportunities. Nevertheless, 1962 marked a significant exception to the rule because of an invitation for Hayes from the University of Miami in which he ran the 100-yard dash that tied Jessie Owens' world record time of 9.2 seconds. This was a pivotal moment in his career as this opened doors for future competitions and showed what He is capable of to an extent.
Performances/ Achievements
Hayes' greatest moments were at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo. Selected to represent the U.S. in both 100m and 4x100m relay events, Hayes would still take home the gold medal in the 100 meter and even did so while wearing a pair of mismatched shoes due to one being too tight. This only made him faster, tying the world record at 10.06 seconds. His relay leg was no less impressive; he anchored the U.S. team to victory in a performance that saw them set a world record, 39.06 seconds.
With these Olympic wins, Hayes had cemented his place among the greatest sprinters in history. The unique accomplishment made Bob the only person ever to hold an Olympic gold medal and a Super Bowl ring, solidifying his multi-sport talent and quality. His sprinting accomplishments include having the very first sub-six second 60-yard dash and one-of-a-kind records that remained for years.
Bob Hayes in Track and Field
What Bob did for the sport of track and field went beyond his unparalleled sprinting times. Incredibly fast and athletic, he completely changed the way premolars thought about how to train for races. He proved athletes from historically black colleges could compete and be just as successful. What he did opened the door for sprinters and football players of future generations.
These also helped African American athletes be more easily recognized in competitive sports. He was an Olympian during a volatile period in American history, and he became a symbol of excellence to some, one emblematic of the value of hard work. Hayes' impact is clear as athletes in this generation from FAMU and other historically black colleges (HBCUs) continue to succeed, hoping to follow in his footsteps.
For his contributions to athletics, Hayes has been inducted into several halls of fame, including the Pro Football Hall of Fame (2009), the Olympic Hall of Fame (2012), and the Sports Hall of Honor located on campus at Florida A&M University, housed inside Gaither Gym. His athletic greatness aside, his legacy is also widely regarded as a trailblazer in sports for racial equality.
Legacy and Impact
Bob Hayes' legacy is still strong for Florida A&M. His success catapulted the university to national prominence, enhancing its reputation on the intercollegiate stage. Over the years, though, the university has produced great athletes in all sorts of sports, and their successes carry on the legacy that Hayes established.
The odyssey of Bob Hayes from the kid sports star in Jacksonville to Olympic champion to professional football player is a tale as improbable and colorful for its sideshows, what-if scenarios, and historical footnotes. It molded his career and the track itself, turning him into a trailblazer and future generations of athletes historians on how it is possible. The memory of Hayes still shines in horse racing, and his accomplishments are an example of driven hopefuls worldwide. Most importantly, as we honor his accomplishments, it is critical to consider the larger meaning of his success, diversity, and excellence in athletics.
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