Bob Hayes, The Bullet was on a Fast...

✦ Bulletproof Speed: The Electrifying Legacy of "Bullet" Bob Hayes. Relive the groundbreaking career of Bob Hayes, the Olympic gold medalist whose unparalleled speed revolutionized the wide receiver position for the Dallas Cowboys.

Born on December 20, 1942, in Jacksonville, Florida, Bob Hayes used his speed and talent to rise in the football world.

✦ College Career

Bob Hayes was a two-sport sensation at Florida A&M University. On the track, his speed was legendary. He never lost a 100-yard or 100-meter race in college and equaled the world record in the 100-yard dash in 1962. Hayes won three consecutive AAU national championships in the 100-yard dash (1962-1964) and an NCAA title in the 200-meter dash in 1964. His track prowess culminated in two gold medals at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics: tying the world record in the 100 meters and anchoring the world-record setting 4x100 meter relay team. Despite his track dominance, Hayes also excelled as a halfback for the Florida A&M football team.  

✦ Road to the Pro Game

The Dallas Cowboys, recognizing his unparalleled speed, selected Hayes in the seventh round of the 1964 NFL Draft with a future draft pick. This allowed them to secure him before his college eligibility ended, betting that his raw athleticism could translate to the professional level as a wide receiver. Hayes joined the Cowboys in 1965 and immediately electrified the league. His speed was so game-changing that opposing defenses were forced to develop the "zone" and "bump-and-run" coverage specifically to try and contain him, as no single defender could keep up.  

✦ Football Legacy

Bob "Bullet" Bob Hayes revolutionized the wide receiver position with his unmatched speed. He is the only athlete to win both an Olympic gold medal and a Super Bowl ring (Super Bowl VI with the Cowboys). Hayes' deep-threat ability stretched defenses and opened up the field for his teammates. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and a two-time First-team All-Pro. Until 2017, he held the Cowboys' franchise record for career receiving touchdowns. Hayes' impact on the game was so profound that he is considered one of the few players who fundamentally changed how defenses played. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009 and the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor in 2001.

✦ Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats:

✦ Super Bowl Champion (VI)

✦ 2-time First-team All-Pro (1966, 1968)

✦ Pro Bowl (1965, 1966, 1967)

✦ NFL Receiving Touchdowns Leader (1965, 1966)

✦ Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor

✦ Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee (2009)

✦ Olympic Gold Medalist (100 meters, 4x100 meter relay - 1964)  

✦ AAU Champion (100-yard dash: 1962, 1963, 1964)  

✦ NCAA Champion (200-meter dash: 1964)  

✦ Career NFL Stats (11 seasons): 371 Receptions, 7,414

✦ Receiving Yards, 20.0 Yards per Reception, 71

✦ Receiving Touchdowns, 3 Rushing Attempts, 68 Rushing

✦ Yards, 2 Rushing Touchdowns, 3 Punt Return Touchdowns.  

Sources and related content
https://usopm.org/bob-hayes/
https://fhsaa.com/hof.aspx?hof=243
https://www.dallascowboys.com/team/roh-bob-hayes