ESPN to air documentary on former Ohio State track star Butch Reynolds

A promising career derailed. #GoBucks

Butch Reynolds is one of the greatest track athletes in Ohio State history and maybe even the world. In 1988 he set the world record for the 400-meter dash with a time of 43.29 seconds smashing the 20-year-old record of 57 seconds. However, many may not remember that Reynolds’ career was put on halt in 1990 by a false positive drug test.

Now ESPN is telling his story through its acclaimed series 30 for 30. A screening of the film was held at the Cinema Columbus Film Festival in late April. Director Ismail Al-Amin, a professor of African Studies at Kent State University had this to say about Reynolds and the upcoming film.

The untold story of the fastest man in the world, Butch Reynolds, whose legendary career was derailed by a faulty drug test in one of the greatest injustices in American sports history.

Monte Carlo, 1990. The world record holder in the 400-meters, Butch Reynolds, takes a routine drug test that comes back positive for the anabolic steroid Nandrolone. When Butch challenges the results, the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) publicly admits their lab technician mixed up Reynold’s urine specimen with another athlete’s, leading to a “false positive.” In an outrageous about-turn that would lead to one of the greatest injustices in American sports, the IAAF refuses to administer another test, claiming the lab “corrected their mistake.” Instead, they label Reynolds a “dirty athlete,” banning him from competition during the most vital years of his career.

You can watch the film trailer below.

False Positive Trailer from 30 for 30 on Vimeo.

False Positive premieres on June 11 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.

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Gabe Powers has the determination and drive to be a star according to one former international track star

Former world record holder Butch Reynolds had some positive things to say about #Buckeyes recruit Gabe Powers

We recently had the honor of sitting down with former world record holder in the 40-meters, former Ohio State and international track star Butch Reynolds. The interview was wide-ranging and extremely interesting, but we were keenly interested in his work with OSU 2022 linebacker commit Gabe Powers. Reynolds has been working with the Marysville product, and he had some pretty lofty praise about the Rivals 5-star prospect..

So what does Reynolds see in Powers? How fast is he, and what kind of work ethic is present?

“What is different about Gabe is his focus to train, his focus to be the best,” Reynolds told Buckeyes Wire. “He’ll drive 45 minutes to see me two to three times a week because he wants to train. Shoot for the moon and if you miss you will be among the stars and that’s who Gabe is. He’ll be there one way or another.”

That’s high praise for a guy that has a history of working with historic and legendary Buckeye greats like Bobby Carpenter, A.J. Hawk, and Anthony Schlegel. With a resume like that, it certainly means something when Reynolds calls you a special athlete with the worklike mentality Powers possesses.

Reynolds also went on to say that Powers can run a 40-yard dash in the 4.5 range which is flat out getting it done for a linebacker that’s 230-pounds on a 6-foot, 4-inch frame.

 

After this interview, I feel confident that Powers is destined to be a star for Ohio State. It may not happen immediately, but there’s a lot to like about the athlete and person Gabe Powers is and can still become. He already has a believer in a guy that knows a thing or two about special athletes.

You can catch the rest of our interview with Butch Reynolds below.

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Buckeyes Wire sits down with former Ohio State track star, Olympic gold medalist Butch Reynolds

Hey, the Olympics are going on. What better time to sit down with former Buckeye Butch Reynolds to get his thoughts on the international competition, Ohio State football, the time he tried out for the Browns, and more.

There are some guys that need no introduction. Former Ohio State track star Butch Reynolds is one of those. The list of accomplishments is astounding when it comes to international competition in track and field and beyond.

Reynolds once held the world record in the 400 meters, has a gold medal as a part of the 4×400 meter USA relay team, and still holds the world record in that same discipline with a foursome including Michael Johnson that set it in competition in Germany back in 1993.

But that’s not all Reynolds is known for. Jim Tressel tapped him to be the Ohio State football speed coach in 2005. He coached and developed guys like Ted Ginn, Jr., A.J. Hawk, Troy Smith, Santonio Holmes, and more. He also is a speed coach still to this day who works with OSU linebacker commit Gabe Powers,

But that’s not all. Reynolds has a noble charity named “Care for Kids” that’s been making a difference since 1995. Oh, and did we mention he has a book in the works? Sounds like a page-turner to us.

Buckeyes Wire’s Josh Keatley sat down for a timely interview with Reynolds as the Olympics are in full swing out in Tokyo for a wide-ranging and engaging interview. So head on over to our YouTube channel by clicking on the below video and listen to Reynolds talk about the fastest guy he ever coached at Ohio State, what his fondest accomplishment is, the time he tried out for the Browns, and much, much more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYLDrUKeATs

To learn more about Butch Reynolds, including his speed and agility coaching as well as his charitable work, do yourself a favor and visit ButchReynolds.com for more.

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