When you think of Olympic athletes, your mind probably goes to the usual suspects-sprinters, swimmers, maybe a gymnast or two. What you probably don’t picture is a former Texas A&M wide receiver flying down an icy track at 90 miles per hour in a bobsled. But that’s exactly where Boone Niederhofer’s story has taken him.
Back in 2014, Niederhofer was one of the feel-good stories of the college football season. A sophomore walk-on at A&M, he worked his way into the rotation and made the most of his moment, finishing the year with 29 catches for 293 yards and a touchdown.
It wasn’t just a stat line-it was a testament to grit. He didn’t arrive with a scholarship or hype, but he earned his place the hard way, rep by rep.
But as quickly as he emerged, his football career began to fade. Over the rest of his time in College Station, he added just six more receptions.
That breakout season? It turned out to be the high-water mark on the field.
For most athletes, that’s the end of the story. You walk away, degree in hand, and start the next chapter.
And that’s exactly what Niederhofer did. With a petroleum engineering degree, he landed a job in Houston and was well on his way to a stable career in the energy industry.
Then life threw him a curveball. The company he worked for was bought out, and just like that, he was out of a job.
That kind of sudden stop can rattle even the most grounded people. But instead of retreating, Niederhofer pivoted.
A former teammate reached out with an idea that sounded more like a punchline than a plan: try bobsledding.
It turned out to be anything but a joke.
What started as a long shot became a second act. Niederhofer didn’t just dabble in the sport-he committed.
He trained, he competed, and he climbed the ranks. Before long, he was a three-time World Cup team member, collecting medals and carving out a name for himself in a sport he hadn’t even considered just a few years earlier.
Now, he’s headed to the 2026 Winter Olympics as part of Team USA.
Let that sink in: a former college wide receiver, who once fought for a roster spot in the SEC, is now representing the United States on the world’s biggest winter sports stage. It’s the kind of career arc you don’t see coming-resilient, unconventional, and deeply inspiring.
Boone Niederhofer’s journey isn’t just about athleticism. It’s about adaptability.
It’s about betting on yourself when the playbook runs out. And in February, when the bobsleds hit the track, one of them will be piloted by a guy who once caught passes under the lights at Kyle Field.
From maroon and white to red, white, and blue-Niederhofer’s story is still being written. And the next chapter is pure Olympic speed.