Justin Gatlin: RGIII could've contended for track spot at 2020 Olympics

Had the Baltimore Ravens not come calling, Olympic sprinter Justin Gatlin believes Robert Griffin III could have enjoyed success as a member of the U.S. track and field team.

Griffin, who competed in track during high school and college, spent time training with Gatlin at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla., following his release from the Cleveland Browns in 2017. While there, he spoke to track coach Brooks Johnson about preparing for the decathlon or 110-meter hurdles, according to Sam Fortier of the Washington Post.

"He didn't look at himself as RGIII," Gatlin said. "He looked at himself as Robert. He was hungry, and he had another a shot to get back out there."

Gatlin and Johnson agreed that Griffin, who placed 11th in the 400-meter hurdles at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, could have contended for a spot at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

"He is an Olympic-level talent," Johnson said. "It didn't take a lot to get him technically sound."

Despite the high praise, Griffin considered the Ravens offer "a message from God."

"I know what God's called me to do," Griffin added. "He's called me to play football at a high level, inspire men, lead men. That's why I didn't have any doubt in what I was doing."