Madison Hayes' decision to move from rugby and track into American football was a hotly contested decision 4 years ago, and while that debate has mellowed out some after numerous accomplishments and a rookie of the year award, the decision itself is still a curious one in hindsight. Hayes, while not having an immediate impact in England, was on a fast path to being one of the countries stars and had an outside shot at being a multiple sport athlete at the Olympic games. Regardless of her track career trajectory, Madison was expected to at least be a mainstay in English rugby for the next decade and the decision to either jeopardize that or at the least reduce her focus on rugby was a curious one. With how she's developed over the last 4 seasons in America, it looks like most of what was projected for her was on the table, and at this rate and with full focus on her original two sports she would have been one of the more famous and recognized English athletes of the current era. It will be curious to see if at the end of the gridiron career she decides to take a step back or re-join the rugby squad in full.
209 words
209 words