Super Bowl vets Phillip Buchanon, LaCasse join Super 60 field

NEW YORK - A pair of Super Bowl veterans with nearly identical sprinting speed, but opposite builds, have joined the field of the Super 60 - or Super LX, for Roman numeral buffs - at the 103rd Millrose Games on January 29.
Cornerback Phillip Buchanon and defensive end Ryan LaCasse join the previously announced Super 60 field that includes Willie Gault and Tim Dwight. Former New York Giant David Tyree will not compete.

The 17th overall pick in the 2002 draft, Buchanon wore the black-and-silver of the Oakland Raiders for Super Bowl XXXVII in 2003. With 4.3 40 speed, the cornerback spent three seasons at Oakland before playing for Texas, Tampa Bay and his current team, the Detroit Lions. In his time with the Raiders, he recorded 122 tackles and 11 interceptions.

"I have always been a big fan of track and field, and I know I'm one of the fastest guys in the NFL," Buchanon said. "With the last name Buchanon, I plan on shooting out of the starting blocks like a cannon. The other guys better watch out, I'll be flying by them before they know it."

Buchanon, 29, played college football at the University of Miami, earning All-America honors as a returner, the BIG EAST special teams player of the year award and being named a finalist for the Mosi Tatupu Award, which goes to the top collegiate special-teams player in the nation. At Lehigh (Fla.) High School, he was a star athlete in football, basketball, baseball and track, recording best times of 10.5 in the 100 meters and 21.8 in the 200.

Anyone who thinks big men can't run hasn't seen LaCasse in spikes. Drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2006, the defensive end was traded to the Indianapolis Colts, where he played 12 games and earned a Super Bowl ring in the Colts' 2006-'07 championship season. Standing 6-2 with a playing weight of 257, LaCasse has a 40-yard time under 4.5 and was the second-fastest defensive lineman at the NFL combine in 2005. He no doubt will have a built-in cheering section of men's shot putters at Madison Square Garden.

A native of Stoughton, Mass., the 26-year-old LaCasse was the 2003 All-New England champion and state champion at 100 meters, with a best time of 10.5, putting him in a virtual dead heat with Buchanon. He played defensive line and running back at Stoughton, totaling 1,407 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns as a senior. LaCasse played college football at Syracuse, where he was first-team All-BIG EAST, before being drafted by the Ravens. Although a plantar fascia injurycut his NFL career short, LaCasse now works as a strength coach at Syracuse, where he is pursuing his MBA.

The Millrose Games is the first stop of USA Track & Field's Visa Championship Series. The longest-running annual event held at fabled Madison Square Garden and one of the best indoor track and field meets in the world, The Millrose Games features some of America's and the world's top track and field talent. The meet will be televised live on ESPN2 from 8-10 p.m. Eastern Time.

For ticket information for the 103rd Millrose Games visit: www.millrose-games.com . USATF welcomes you to pay with your Visa.

Click here to order Phillip Buchanon’s proCane Rookie Card.



(usatf.org)