National Football League

Ex-Detroit Lions WR Carlin Isles to compete in next year's Olympics

Published Jun. 15, 2015 1:19 p.m. ET

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Former Detroit Lions wide receiver Carlin Isles has qualified for the 2016 Olympics as a member of the United States rugby sevens squad, according to ESPN's Michael Rothstein.

Isles is a 5-foot-8, 165-pound speedster who was on the Lions practice squad for the final week of the 2013 season. Although he ran a 4.22-second 40-yard dash at a workout, according to the Detroit Free Press, the Lions never had a chance to put it to use during a game.

The lure of competing in the first Olympic rugby games since 1924 was enough to put Isles' NFL career on hold. However, ESPN reports that he could make a "more serious" return to the league in the future.

(h/t ESPN)

Photo Credit: Josh Holmberg/USA TODAY Sports