Contact: Tom Surber
Media Information Manager
USA Track & Field
(317) 261-0500 x317
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.usatf.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, September 19, 2002
USATF mourns the loss of Bob Hayes
INDIANAPOLIS – Olympic 100-meter gold medalist and former world record
holder “Bullet” Bob Hayes died Wednesday night in his hometown of
Jacksonville, Fla., after battling liver and kidney ailments and prostate
cancer. He was 59.
At the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Hayes earned the title “World’s Fastest
Human” by winning the gold medal in tying the then-world record of 10.05
seconds and anchoring the victorious USA 4x100m relay, which set the world
record of 39.06 seconds. Hayes’ split in the 400-meter relay was a
remarkable 8.6 seconds. Hayes was inducted into the National Track & Field
Hall of Fame in 1976.
“It’s a great tragedy,” said USATF CEO Craig Masback. “He revolutionized
two sports. His raw power in sprinting put him years ahead of his time and
his 4x1 anchor leg is recognized as probably the greatest relay leg ever.”
“As an athlete and a sprinter, with this huge loss it’s difficult,” said
five-time Olympic medalist Marion Jones. “Everybody is in a positive frame
of mind and his legacy will live on for our generation and younger
generations.”
“I saw it on TV today,” said men’s 100m world record holder Tim Montgomery.
“Anytime you have a fellow sprinter die, it’s sad. I saw footage of his
Olympic race and he was making holes in the track with his feet (the race
was contested on a cinder track). It’s incredible how much times have
changed.”
Hayes, who won the national outdoor 100-meter title in 1962, 1963 and 1964,
was a track star at Florida A&M University, where he won the NCAA Outdoor
200-meter title in 1964. Hayes switched his focus from track to football
when in 1965 the Dallas Cowboys took a chance on the speedster with under
developed football skills by drafting him in the seventh round.
Hayes had an immediate impact on the NFL. As a rookie he amassed 1,000
yards and 12 touchdowns. He led the league with an average of 21.8 yards per
catch.
Because of his blazing speed, Hayes could not be covered with traditional
man-to-man schemes, causing teams throughout the league to devise zone pass
defenses that remain prevalent in today’s game.
After the Cowboys won the Super Bowl in 1971, Hayes became the only athlete
ever to win an Olympic gold medal and a Super Bowl ring. More than 30 years
later, he remains the only man ever to accomplish that feat.
In his 11-year NFL career Hayes had 71 touchdowns and three trips to the
Pro Bowl. He averaged 20 yards per catch.
Hayes is survived by his mother, a brother and sister and five children.
Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
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