40 yard dash (1 Viewer)

[Kicks]

I just heard that Tyrann Mathieu ran an unofficial 4.43 in the 40 yard dash at the combine yesterday (see it here: Tyrann Mathieu 40 Yard Dash | 2013 NFL Combine - YouTube )
and it got me wondering why athletes have to run a 40 yard dash to determine their speed. Why not 50, or 100? Today I found out.

The average punt is 40 yards and the average hang time is 4.5 seconds. So if an athlete can run a 4.5 or less 40 yard dash they should be able to cover a punt.

I thought I'd share this tidbit for those like me out there who may not know this.

ADDED: Official time is now reported as 4.5 sec.

 

[Kurgan]

Thanks, i'd always wondered why just 40 yards, but was really too lazy to google or search it lus-un2:

 

[ASaintFerLife]

Thanks dude, I didnt know that as well.

 

[RaisingTheBar]

Thanks for sharing this lus-un2: