He had a best mark in the 100-yard dash of 9.7 seconds[15](the record was then 9.4 seconds);[16] as a junior, he was the 220-yard dash state champion[17] and placed second in the 440-yard run.[14] He also was on the wrestling team, played football and baseball, and was student council president.[14][2] After surgery on a knee injury, he took up swimming as a form of therapy.