Rams’ Ellard Gives It a Try but Is Stopped by Injury

Henry Ellard of the Rams again found himself competing in this city--but not in the familiar Superdome or against the Saints--Friday night at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials.

Ellard, at 30 heading into his 10th year as an NFL wide receiver, was trying to qualify for Sunday’s final in the triple jump at Tad Gormley Stadium, but he was unsuccessful. He fouled on his first attempt and then pulled his left hamstring on the second. That forced him to pass his final try, ending his hopes.

“That’s the thing about it, there was no indication,” said Ellard of the injury, which he described as a bad strain that would not affect his football season. “As warm as it is, it was easy to get loose.”

Ellard was competing in his first Olympic trials. He topped the qualifying standard of 53 feet 5 3/4 inches with a 54- 1/2 at the Modesto Relays in May.

Ellard said he thought he had a chance of making the final but indicated he wasn’t overly disappointed that he didn’t. He was a state triple jump champion for Fresno Hoover High and also competed in track and field during the four years he played football at Fresno State before being drafted by the Rams in 1983 and becoming one of the team’s top receivers.

He has a legal best of 55-5 and a wind-aided 56-5 1/2 to his credit.

“I’m just happy to be here, to come back after five to six years of not competing,” he said. “It’s nice to be here.

“I felt good today, and it reminded me of the old days. A (hot) day like today was perfect for jumping.

“(Going to the Olympic trials) was something I always wanted to do out of college but never had an opportunity to do.”

Until last year, the International Amateur Athletic Federation, which governs the sport, barred pure professional athletes such as those in the NFL. Ellard said he had practiced the event in recent years but had not competed.

He enjoyed the laid-back atmosphere of the trials as opposed to the intensity of a football game.

“A lot of people didn’t even know who I was,” he said. “It was kind of nice, because I didn’t want to be treated special.

“When they announced my name, I was actually expecting some boos from the New Orleans fans, but one fan picked up on my name and yelled ‘Go Rams.’ ”