880, I have talked with Randy about him doing that - throwing the shot put and playing basketball. He said the hardest part was the huge weight gain/loss. He lost weight like crazy during basketball and had to try and gain it back for throwing. I think he said he had a 50 pound weight differential in one year! He had to get that weight back to throw the shot at a world class level. Of course, there have been few athletes like Randy Matson in history.
The name of Michael Carter was invoked in one of the postings above. I saw Michael again in Lubbock this past weekend. With his daughter throwing for Tech and his son (Michael,Jr.) throwing for South Plains, he is coming out to Lubbock with frequency. I did not get to chat with him, much to my chagrin. He still holds what is probably the most amazing record I have ever read about - that throw with the HS shot put of 81-3.5. It is very rare that any other high schooler ever comes within 10 feet of him, much less coming close to the record. I believe Michael is still the only person who ever won both an Olympic medal and a Super Bowl ring. Amazing athlete and one of the few to ever excel at that high level in both football and track.
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