Nico Young and the Issue with (most) Pro Runners

He doesn't have to be good at interviews. His job is to run fast. I'm sure you're perfect though. Being entertaining is difficult when you're tired from running all day.

You, on the other hand, are very entertaining. I suppose you don’t run anymore, huh? And I’m your biggest fan.

I agree with you. However, this is part of the problem with distance and endurance athletes. We do a sport that rewards calm, focus, dedication, steadiness. We do not produce many athletes who are flamboyant or massively extroverted.

During the Friday 15 podcast, Rojo's nephew was asked if he knew who Cole Hocker was. No clue. That is not Grant's "fault" but it doesn't help the Grant (like all distance runners) has prioritized training, running fast, going to remote training camps, and winning medals. He has not prioritized becoming a celebrity.

He’s a top level elite runner, and not an entertainer or conversationalist. Would you be surprised that a Bill Maher or a Joe Rogan couldn’t run 13:00/27:00?

You reference Hocker first, then mention "Grant" as if it's Hocker. Did you mean Fisher as to whom Rojo's nephew doesn't know ...or did you mean Hocker but subbed Grant in as a mistake??

To your point, perhaps Fisher is slightly more adept at interview charisma than Hocker and certainly more than Young. Even Jakob is awkward...but certainly cocky and that brings some excitement especially when Josh Kerr is involved

Among top endurance athletes in all sports most are pretty boring compared to other speed events or ball sports. Cycling's Todej Pogacar definitely breaks the mold though. Ultra dude Kilian Jornet is another.

Cole Hocker was the same on the spade/carvey podcast. Carvey being a big running fan brought Hocker on, a big break for a major podcast that normally has famous people on. he was like a deer in the headlights and boring as hell.

I give Nico credit for talking to representatives of this site, considering all the garbage that's posted about him here on an almost daily basis.

Thanks so much. I went for a run today which is not something I usually do but hey comeback season is always a possibility.

In the major team sports, I really don’t think anyone cares about personality. Ohtani is the most popular baseball player, but his English hasn’t improved enough to even give an interview. LeBron James’ grammar is really bad, but people don’t care. Joe Montana was one the most popular QBs ever, but he was very shy and didn’t have much to say.

Nico has never been a good interview. The you have a guy like Blanks who has always been a great interview. They are both good runners but personalities are very different. It actually doesn’t really matter but you can’t say all runners are boring.

Every single NBA, NFL or MLB player are there to compete. Being personal won’t help them when they’re negotiating their next contract.

Yes and no. Engaging, entertaining and personable athletes generate fans, fans generate revenue.

Someone like a Bobby Portis or Naz Reid in the NBA have benefitted GREATLY from being fan favorites and have seen their roles and production (and $$$) increase as a result. Jesus, the mayor of Milwaukee gave Bobby a key to the city- Giannis didn't even get that.

Look at Sha'Carrie. Unquestionably the most polarizing and loved or loathed sprinter out right now. Non-track fans know her. Why? She's a great listen and damn talented.

As the great Pete Weber once said, "Love me or hate me, you're going to watch". We need more of those personalities

In teams sports less so, although LeBron has a nice personality and people really don’t care about grammar. But in individual sports, such as running, it certainly helps. Danny ric in f1, pretty much any of the most popular fighters in boxing and mma, bolt, shacarri, even people like Pogi in cycling or negreanu in poker

You make a good point. Look at Draymond Green. His career stats are a meager 8.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game (Mr. "Triple Single" as Charles Barkley called him), yet he's got a bunch of endorsement deals, a popular podcast, and is invited to do guest commentary because of his personality.

Tara Davis-Woodhall is a good example within track & field of someone with a magnetic personality. Usually, long jumpers don't get much attention, but she has over one million followers on Instagram.

Thinking about distance runners, Allie Ostrander does a nice job with her YouTube channel. The Coffee Club podcast is fun too.

You're listening to a freakin running podcast, you're in no place to speak.

Nico has always been kind of soft spoken, even when he was an incredibly hyped high school phenom.

I would argue that many of our top top distance runners right now are very good interviews and usually have something interesting to say. Nuguse, Nur, Kessler, Kincaid, Mantz, Clayton Young, Blanks, Drew Hunter, Waskom & Green from UW. They're also much more willing to discuss the specifics of their training. I think back to when Kincaid talked openly about switching to Smith's group, Kessler sharing that he rarely runs over 7miles now. Blanks has talked training and mindset openly as has Hunter on his move to the 10k. Young and Mantz are very open on Clayton's youtube channel.