Elitetrack: Sport Training & Conditioning

i know a couple of months ago there was a thread on him but it didnt go as in depth as i would have liked.

So I pose the question yet again. Who was this guy and had he kept nose clean could he have been GOAT? (greatest of all time)

:puzzled:

He could have easily been a GOAT—he was top in the world in high school and I believe was the only man to beat Bob Hayes in his prime (and he was again in high school!). Too bad the crack and other drugs got to him.

Houston McTear never ran against Bob Hayes, McTear came on the track scene in the mid 70's, he was virtually unbeatable indoors, had a terrific start, he once ran 9.1 on grass for 100 yards.  His career was laden with injuries and was known to not train very hard, unfortunately he later became homeless as he drifted into drugs.  Muhammad Ali bought him a home at one time as McTear grew up very poor, he ran for the then Ali Track Club.  It's unfortunate, he had the capability to be the GOAT.

Holy cow! 9.1 on grass! it's a shame this guy throw it all away just because he had to support a habit. It seems that and his Jenny Craig-like work ethic are to blame for him falling short.

Did he really beat Bob Hayes?

McTear never ran against Bob Hayes, Hayes was with the Cowboys when McTear came on the scene, he did however run against Carl Lewis.  At the time the best USA sprinters were; McTear, Steve Williams, Carl Lewis, Harvey Glance, and Stanley Floyd.

You're correct, it's a shame that he gravitated toward drugs, no telling how good he would have been. :no:

It is a shame. His life story would probably make a good made for tv movie though

Does anybody know what he's up to now?

Wasn't he also a pinch runner for some pro baseball teams?

For what it's worth….

http://houstonmctear.com/why.htm

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Wasn't he also a pinch runner for some pro baseball teams?

Don't know but perhaps you're thinking of Herb Washington who had a short stint as a pinch runner in the 70's.  :bisou:

HE IS THE FASTEST MAN TO EVER LIVE BEFORE AGE NINTEEN HE OUT RAN A thoroughbred horse.AND AT AGE 15 RAN 100 YARDS IN 9.8 SECONDS.DAMN SO MUCH TALENT NOT PUT TO USE

100 yards in 9.8 secs = 10.8s in 100m.

danimal9 - 02 July 2006 03:53 PM

100 yards in 9.8 secs = 10.8s in 100m.

It's probably more like 10.6….it's only 10 yards longer (as opposed to 10m) and at that point in the race is pretty close to top speed.