WATCH: 16 y/o Olympic gold medalist showcases his football prowess by running deep balls in high school game

By Aman Sharma

Modified Aug 22, 2024 14:20 GMT

Quincy Wilson, a 16-year-old Olympic sensation, is making waves not only for his exceptional track and field achievements but also for his standout performances on the high school football field. Recently, Wilson caught the attention of sports fans and former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III by showcasing his speed and agility while running deep routes and catching passes in a high school football game.

Earlier this week, highlights of Wilson's football skills started gaining traction online. The footage, shared by content creator TouchbackJT, showcases Wilson's time as a 14-year-old freshman playing varsity football for the prestigious Bullis School in Potomac, Maryland. Even at such a young age, Wilson's athleticism and skill on the field were evident, and they have only grown since.

In March 2024, Wilson broke the under-18 indoor 400-meter world record, a feat he accomplished for Bullis School. This was followed by another world record in the outdoor 400-meter dash in July 2024, thus, he was designated as the American high school record holder for both track events.

His extraordinary track accomplishments led to his historic qualification for the men's 4x400m relay pool for the 2024 Summer Olympics, making him the youngest American male track and field Olympian in history.

Looking ahead, Wilson aspires to compete in five Olympics over the next two decades, a goal he shared in an interview with NBC4 Washington.

"Hopefully, I'll be able to go five Olympics in total," Wilson said to NBC4 Washington host Shawn Yancy.

Renowned Olympic silver medalist Manteo Mitchell expressed his admiration for Wilson's talent and maturity.

“He’s the real deal,” Mitchell told NBC. “What a phenomenal human being. He's a great kid and I hate to even call him a kid, but he is a kid. Like, he's five years older than my son, and when I look at it like that, it's like, 'wow, this is crazy.'”

Youngest Olympic gold medalist Quincy Wilson reflects on his Paris journey

When Rai Benjamin crossed the finish line in the men’s 4×400 meter relay at the Paris Olympics, it marked Team USA's first-place victory and solidified 16-year-old Wilson's status as an Olympic champion.

Appearing on NBC4 Washington alongside his coach, Joe Lee, Wilson, the youngest member of the U.S. Olympic team, discussed his challenging yet rewarding journey to Paris with host Shawn Yancy.

Initially selected for the mixed 4×400-meter relay, his coach opted to withdraw him just before the event, prioritizing focused training instead. This decision paid off when Wilson delivered an impressive performance in the relay’s first round, quelling any doubts about his readiness for the Olympic competition.

During his interview, Wilson shared the most impactful advice he received before the race. A fellow Team USA athlete advised him to treat the Paris Olympics like any other major track event, stating:

“Take it like it’s a regular meet, and act like it’s a National Championship meet, because it will have bigger people, bigger supporters, but at the end of the day, it’s still a track, and it’s in 9 lanes. You just have to go out there and run.”

At the Paris Olympics, Wilson's performance in the 4x400 meter relay heats, where he clocked 47.3 seconds, contributed to Team USA's gold medal victory. This achievement made Wilson the youngest Olympic gold medalist in track and field history.