English Soccer Star works out with Phins

Thursday, June 26, 2003
Robert Henderson
MDBW Staff Writer

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The Sun-Sentinel reports English soccer star, David James, worked out with the Dolphins on Tuesday. The 32 year old goalie for the British National team found American football a lot harder than it had looked to him. "It's a lot harder. When you see a 25-stone [350-pound] guy actually moving next to you, you realize they're not the dinosaurs they seem on the telly. They're so much faster than they look."

Olindo Mare spent most of the day with him. Mare, an ex soccer star himself, taught James how to kick. To James's surprise however, kicking an American football was not as easy as he thought it would be. "I'm used to kicking 60, 70 yards," he said. "But obviously the shape of the ball made things difficult. It's very, very different."

Jay Fiedler, James McKnight, and Terrell Buckley also worked with the soccer athlete during the day. James seemed to be most comfortable with his receiving due to his already sharp instincts as a goalie.

"He's a hell of an athlete," McKnight said. "With a little fine-tuning, and some footwork, he could be a good wide receiver. His hand-eye coordination is superb. I could see him doing any sport, dunking a basketball, playing volleyball, long jumping, anything."

James, who makes $2 million a year playing soccer is also a model for Georgio Armani at time.

McKnight, who previously mentioned that he admired the soccer athlete was asked how he thought he could do training in England with James. "I'd do fine for one day. It's the second day I'd be worried about."

James was really impressed with Ricky Williams and his work ethic. "The guy is a tank," he said. "I saw him from the back first and he's as wide as he is tall. Nice bloke, as well. You can really see why he's able to do what he does on the field. He let loose on our last sprint and left me in his wake. Don't have anyone like that in England."

Robert Henderson can be reached by e-mailing webmaster@miamidolphinsbahamas.com.