DAVE WOTTLE - THE HAT - BREAKS DOWN HIS EPIC 1972 GOLD MEDAL RACE!

#TOADLYFE
STAND BY FOR THE KICK OF DAVE WOTTLE! RELIVE THE BEST KICK OF ALL TIME FOR THE USA'S ONLY OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL IN THE 800M!
We catch up with Dave before the 4th annual Ed Murphey Classic in Memphis, TN to help introduce the Men's 800m race! #TheHat #ToadTuesday #EdMurpheyClassic

[@Fatima502]

I wish there were more films like this where stars of the past describe their big moments with such honesty and humour.

[@billytoad]

who else would you like to see! Maybe we can set it up!

[@robertspears2532]

100%!

[@GeoAce777]

Craig Virgin.

[@KerryDachos]

This man is MY HERO. Best 800m Olympic race ever.

[@williamchiafos3889]

Watched it live. I saw most of the 72'Olympics

[@alvinlai1522]

Didn't see this one coming at all, Dave Wottle is such a legend!

[@billytoad]

Me Either! was super pumped when I found out about this opportunity!!

[@APBCTechnique]

@@billytoad seems like the American only won because the Russian had a very unlucky double bump loosing him 6m, then he sprinted to get his position back which then cost him the race. If no bump he would have won by 5m. Dave was lucky Russian unlucky

[@dietpepsivanilla3095]

@@APBCTechnique The Ukrainian kicked too early and lost. Excuses, excuses.

[@BooneStories]

I love this so much! Dave’s hat is the greatest piece of sports memorabilia in history. I hope his children and grandchildren’s grandchildren cherish it forever.

[@toddhall7416]

My dad and I watched this one live together. I think that was the hardest we ever cheered for an Olympic event.

[@KerryDachos]

What a special memory!

[@markcknudsen]

When we were little kids my mom would watch the olympics with us and the 800 meter final came on. Dave came back and caught everyone at the end. My mom cried and I didn't understand why she was crying. Years later and even today I cry when I hear Jim Mckay's call coming down the stretch and Dave leans at the line to pip the Soviet runner from Ukraine. Just one of the best sporting moments of all time. Everyone in my family including grandkids know who Dave Wottle is...

[@mitchyoung93]

Soviet Union. Arzhanov is also an ethnic Russian name.

[@flowerfaeri]

Funny, I would watch with my mum too, not my dad. Fuelled my interest in running. I remember this race and Wottle's iconic lucky hat. I remember him clutching it to his chest when they played the anthem. Epic!

[@pennypackmtb2542]

I wore a hat in every high school race I ran in after watching David Wottle run. What an exciting runner. I'm still a fan.

[@billytoad]

HES A LEGEND!!!!!

[@barry4159]

Did that cap make you faster?

[@billytoad]

does a one legged duck swim in a circle?!@@barry4159

[@alfredlee6155]

One of my favorite athletes of all time.❤

[@billytoad]

And an even greater person!!!

[@RayLabs]

I still remember watching the race on TV and screaming as if Dave could hear me. Great of you to be able to sit down with the man himself and get a blow by blow account of an incredible race.

[@mikevaldez7684]

Without a doubt, the greatest most iconic 800m ever run.l! & It couldn't have been done by a more humble, likeable man than Dave Wottle. I watched that race live as a kid🙏

[@josemaioral]

I'm a veteran street runner here in Brazil and I participate as an amateur in races from 5km to Marathons (I completed 29 marathons). I watch and share the video of this spectacular victory by D. Wottle many years ago. I find it simply sensational, as I have always admired strategic victories much more than those obtained through brute force. It's a most incredible lesson in how a race isn't decided until the last step, even for those who are running far, in last place! This victory is extremely inspiring! Congratulations to D. Wottle!!!

[@billytoad]

Brazil! Amazing! Thank you for watching all the way from Brazil! and yes this race gives me the chills every time! Classic THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE story! SO Inspiring!! TOADLYFE!

[@stevenorkus6571]

I was 12 years old. I remember it so well.

[@billytoad]

UNREAL!!!!

[@brightcab8]

Your boy is big time! Racing in a hat is the ultimate flex.

[@billytoad]

SUPA FLY!!!!!

[@rickcamacho9588]

My hero, Dave wottle 😅

[@billytoad]

Hes literally a living legend! Nicest fella in the world!

[@mikedauplaise7477]

I've only watched this race 1,000 times. The British commentary is fun to watch, too. Dave gave a talk in my hometown of Green Bay, Wis., after this, and his was the first and only autograph I ever collected.

[@billytoad]

He's such a standup guy! A True Legend!!

[@chriswesterfield2042]

The only autograph anybody would ever want or need. One of the best minutes in American history.

[@maddymud]

As an Ohio kid I was in heaven

[@davidfrancis273]

Good point about the British (BBC) commentary by David Coleman. He called the race with his usual excellence.

[@BooneStories]

As far as I’m concerned - that hat is the most precious, valuable piece of memorabilia in Olympic history 🤷‍♂️ invaluable

[@ironcladranchandforge7292]

I remember, I remember!! Watched it live in 1972 and still watch it a couple times per year on KZbin. One of the greatest races in Olympic history!!

[@billytoad]

till gives me the chills everytime!!!! THE HAT!!

[@derrickforeal]

What a cool life achievement. Winning races like this is truly 10000x cooler than crushing them all with a 50 meter lead the entire race.

[@jeffreykicia6534]

Mr. Wottle is so gracious and humble and that is a quality I admire. ***( Former Professional & World Class Athlete, JJK)***

[@JoeMac1983]

I haven't seen Dave Wottle since an interview in the 90's. You're aging well, good sir. Always just freaks me out when someone ages by 2.5 decades from the image I still have in my head of them.

[@billsanders8526]

LOVE that race!!! I remember watching it when I was a kid. Could be a big reason why I became a runner.

[@billytoad]

It gives me the chills every single time!!

[@jimcram3650]

Dave...what you did resonates to today. Every time that I think about quitting I watch this video. i watched the race live and can only say that it was amazing. You have made an impact on lives. Jim

[@billytoad]

I do the same thing! Crazy how true greatness inspires for generations!!

[@christopherwall444]

The singular most exciting Olympic race ever...I remember the excitement of seeing it in real time..I was 15...I show it to anyone and everyone who might care

[@billytoad]

so wild! Hes even a better person than runner! love Dave!! such an epic race for sure!!

[@mjphoto45]

That hat needs to be Olympic hall of fame or Smithsonian

[@amolsaxena9394]

Always thrilling to view even after almost 50 yrs!

[@bigal1337]

Was one of my Dad’s favorites and mine also! You are a class act, thanks Dave!

[@chrismia2402]

I’ve watched this race so many times, one of my all time favourite Olympic races to watch and rewatch - well run!

[@billytoad]

Gives me the chills everytime!!! So inspiring!!

[@wasantha258]

Tears fall from eyes.. Though I'm worlds apart and born five years behind this event so so proud of Wottle .. This sure I will show to all my students for pure inspiration ...

[@billytoad]

Chills and emotions galore! I watch this reace before all my big races! So amazing! Thanks for watching!!

[@squireprescott8792]

We ran in the snow and ice and rain in late winter and early spring. Like many parts of the country spring track in Northern Ohio is a challenging endeavor. Growing up right on Lake Erie its also pretty gloomy. But Dave Wottle did it. And he'd had won a Gold Medal. More importantly, Dave was one of us. You see Dave Wottle was an Ohio kid. He competed and won in places with names we knew and were familiar with. This was a guy just a little older than us, a runner, that took on the world and won. ON TV!!! I could go on but suffice it to say that we all owe a debt to Dave Wottle just for the dreams he provided for all those young guys running through the slushy dreary streets of Vermilion so many years ago. I miss those guys and those times. I miss my home. But the dreams are as close as a memory and still live on. Thank you so much Dave!

[@billytoad]

Woah! So so amazing to hear this!! Hope and Dreams are all you need sometimes!

[@mark-mi3fr]

The greatest finishing kick I've ever seen!

[@muhammadsteinberg]

Dave says he ran a relaxed 52sec quarter...I am in awe of my heros. I was a sub 2min 800 runner but I never cracked 51sec for the open quarter. I'm done at 500-600m at that pace. Dave looks like he could still run a sub 5 minute mile. Thanks, Dave, for being one of my inspirations in the 70's.

[@billytoad]

Hes the man! Still inspires me today!!

[@benjantzen8910]

My dad was an 800 guy…used to run his first lap at 49/50 and then follow it up with a terrible 60/61. Haha. But my dad always said DAVE Wottle was THE MAN to beat…crazy unheard of KICK

[@benjantzen8910]

BEAUTIFUL RACE - one of my all time favorites. Amazing Dave

[@billytoad]

I get the chills everytime i watch it!!! EVERY TIME!!

[@usamerican0005]

It's the first truly magical, exciting Olympic moment I can ever remember watching. I've probably watched it 15 times over the years and every time it still seems impossible Dave came back to win. Both hat and race made it an unforgettable moment in my life.

[@pennypackmtb2542]

"Hats are no longer aloud", I guess they think it gave Dave an unfair advantage. I remember this race. I've even been to Munich and could still hear they announcer when I stood inside the stadium, 4 years later.. Dave, you still have many fans!

[@davidbraxton5110]

The greatest 800m race ever.

[@brunosmith6925]

Dave's run is as memorable and exhilirating today as it was 50 years ago. To come in from a 10m lag at the back, with 250 metres to go is just plain mind-boggling, He says it was more about the others coming back at him, but he's just being modest. This run is firmly cemented in Olympic history as one of the most exciting 800m of all time.

[@colleenmonfross4283]

I remember watching Dave run very well, he reached legend status very quickly. I always appreciated that he is also a class act. Good to see him all these years later, he looks great!

[@Rogue-cg1rm]

I have shown this to my son a few times .. this man is an inspiration and such humility.. Dave wottle you won because you believed in yourself.. Give yourself some credit man it was a hell of an achievement.

[@rsinger8159]

What a sweetheart 💖 Dave is.

[@mtsflorida]

You should have seen it coming had you seen all the races. Dave did exactly the same as he did in the qualifier preceding. I was a miler at CDMHS at the time with Steve Scott in Southern California. I left high school early to join the Army missing the 76 Olympics. My dream was to compete in the 1980 Olympics but it was boycotted. I was an MVP as a junior at school and left UGA for the '84 games seen on the finish line behind Moses in 400M hurdles. I had excelled in hurdles in school but it wasn't really my race. In the Army it was the 400M I qualified for the finals. Although I was fast with potential I was never coached. My talent ended up being emergency medicine and a law enforcement investigator.

[@evanjohn503]

I am now 60 so in 1972 I was 9 (born Dec) when I watched my first Olympics. In England everyone seemed to hold the Mile (1500m) and the 100m above everything else. What stood out for me was people going on about the Hat - I thought so what, look at the race.....Being a member of Blackheath Harriers - where Sydney Wooderson had held the World Record for the Mile - what stood out for me was after the finish, Dave was walking around like he'd just won a Club race - people here were of the opinion that the first lap was intentional, take your time, Run Your Race was a big thing, so its amazing to find that Dave just kept to his ability on the day - how many athletes run like a sprinter because they can't handle their adrenaline. Great footage, thank you

[@jonmajarucon51]

I remember when he won. I was a freshmen in High School. My mother adored Dave Wottle. EVERYONE knew about the "Wottle kick". Great man. Great athlete.

[@jpsned]

My parents were there in Munich and saw Dave win (as I watched on TV). Then a few years later I met Dave at a running camp and got to run with him. 🙂

[@chriskalberg6356]

Remember watching this when I was a kid and going absolutely nuts! Dave's performance definitely help turn me into a life long runner.

[@hughgrection4205]

I remember Dave so well as a 21 year old Englishman. His cap certainly made him stand out but it was that kick down the straight and even in the qualifying stages he looked as though be hadn't a chance coming round to the final straight...and then. I remember the British commentators always saying "Wottle has left it too late" and who could not believe them. Thanks Dave for being a memorable part of my youth.

[@williamcharles995]

Living legend. Yes!!!!!

[@billytoad]

10000% still one of my favorite interviews of all time! was such an amazing honor!!

[@olmalone]

1972, my first year as a high school distance runner - of course I watched this one on ABC. I ran a good mile, but two mile was my race. At meets I ran both and then… ugh… anchor leg in two mile relay. Sometimes my competition was a decent 880 runner with a lead and the meet outcome was on me in a distance I hated. It is a dash. Loved watching someone else do it well, so hooray for Dave.

[@billytoad]

thats awesome!!

[@250txc]

What a stud... Held his composure when running behind then HUNG for the win ... My hat is off to Mr. Wottle..

[@billytoad]

HES A LEGEND!!!

[@whatsyurprob158]

From 4th grade on, I imitated the Dave Woddle "KICK" >>>> always screaming it out while racing my friends. 😎 Thanx, Dave 😘

[@dangerboy1111]

what a race man just watching in instagram,,,

[@tombryant52jumpscoach]

Dave got married just prior to the Olympics, in 1972, as I understand. I was married on May 6th of that year and watched that final from my living room in Philadelphia on TV, and I remember how excited I was watching that race. Dave won the "dream mile" in the rain in Franklin Field earlier that year, which can also be seen on YT.

[@billytoad]

Amazing! So amazing! im from PA too! lets goo!!

[@BrianSapp945]

I just watched the race for the first time. I WAS BLOWN AWAY!

[@alexsaitta4041]

I think he had the second slowest times of all the finalists. He ran a perfect race. Made the USA and middle America very proud. Remember it like it was yesterday, watching in on ABC Sports.

[@AllinGold2]

He ran faster before tendonitis started plaguing him before the Olympics. He wasn't in top form but still won.

[@ericsolomon7149]

Thanks for posting... Dave is the picture of humility and class!

[@fieldofscreams]

Priceless. I just stumbled across this hero from the past. Yes, the guy with the hat.

[@albertocastro3678]

Un gran campeón, de estar último a estar primero , una hazaña , un héroe de verdad.

[@superbhasard9369]

... j'ai dû regarder cette course au moins 60 fois, et c'est toujours la même émotion ... En 1972, je regardais cette course à la TV, avec mon père, et nous appelions Mr Wottle : "l'homme à la casquette" ... et au fil de la course, nous criions de plus en plus fort ... "l'homme à la casquette", il remonte tout le monde ... regardez, "l'homme à la casquette" accélère encore, etc ...

[@ryunb.jefferson980]

la più incredibile vittoria dei giochi olimpici, me la ricordo ancora; Wottle divenne il mio idolo sportivo, e ancora lo è

[@pitdicted]

I watch Mr. Wottle's Olympic Gold Race several times a year for inspiration.

[@williamfragaszy6016]

I remember watching that race and yelling for Dave. One of my favorite Olympic moments!

[@billytoad]

TRULY AMAZING! Still gives me chills!

[@deddymansyur2354]

Indeed, you are a legend. You are an inspiration to all of us.

[@mssctrack92]

Wottle is a Beast! Great race!

[@billytoad]

Great Runner and even better person!!

[@steenaagenielsen8798]

Great. I saw the 800m final from Munic i 72 and it was a great 800m race by Dave. Steen Aage Nielsen Denmark

[@billytoad]

ALL THE WAY FROM DENMARK! So honored to have you tunning in from across the globe! This race gives me the chills every time! And dave is a sensational human!! TOADLYFE

[@dietpepsivanilla3095]

This was so cool. I remember this. I was 10 back then and living in Redondo Beach, Calif. Wonderful memories.

[@benballesteros6346]

A legend

[@user-ro2ee7cn3f]

The Best Wottle Fantastlc finish My favorite Dave..❤

[@settlers33]

Epic!🤯 Loved this recap from the legend.

[@billytoad]

SO AWESOME EH?!

[@dannyfrechette2705]

Wow Magnifique stratégie 👏👏👏

[@abevillanueva1974]

Thanks for sharing! Dave looks so young here! Brings back a great memory as I watched him win the gold when I was a kid!

[@abrahamjackson6019]

That race is a BEAUTIFUL THING to see. The 800m is my favorite event. You need speed first and Endurance

[@gthrow4687]

And to remain that humble is quite amazing

[@michaelreason8411]

Greatest Olympic race ever!

[@billytoad]

has to be o ne of them! UNREAL! Love Dave! Great human as well!

[@mikemasiello9625]

Always get chills watching this race, my favorite Olympic moment. Watching this as an 11 year old in 72 it impressed me so much Dave was able to come from behind like that in two races. I have been a life long recreational runner since that time and of course I always wear a cap when I run. Thanks for the wonderful memory and race!

[@davidfrancis273]

Wonderful stuff. I was 14 years old in 1972 and inspired in my running by Mr Wottle's fantastic performance. What a lovely gentleman he appears to be. For many years, there was a large framed photo of Mr Wottle in this race hanging on the wall of Joe Allen restaurant in London.

[@Asger21]

OMG, my all-time favorite run explained by mr. Wottle himself. Dave, you are too modest. You would have beaten them, no matter what. Hats (cap) off, sir. 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@kenrolston]

Interesting that he always considered himself to be a miler. We were glued to the TV yelling our heads off - one the greatest races of all-time and he's one of the most gracious champs. nice job Billy !

[@joshmarean9307]

Love this!! So awesome. Thanks for setting this up Billy!! Dave the Man, still hanging!! Still awesome after all these years 💖

[@noahgilkey1862]

This channel is so underrated

[@billytoad]

Tell yerrrrr friends wazzzuppp!! Thanks broski!!

[@DrDaveShows]

I envy you, Billy. I was watching when they broadcast the race. Next to Secretariat running it was the most exciting race I've watched in my life. Deep respects to Dave Wottle!

[@billytoad]

I still get the chills everytime I watch a replay!! I cant believe how wild it would have been to see it LIVE! WOAH!!!!

[@DrDaveShows]

@@billytoad I was 15 and my brother was 17. Our days were watching track and field and saw him in the USA finals and tried to watch when he ran (who doesn’t like a guy who’s cool enough to run in a hat?). When the gun sounded and he was in the back we were a little sick. When he started to move with the Russian we started to sit up. When he was coming on the final turn we both said “he’s on the outside he’s got too much to cover!” The last 30 meters we were standing on our beds. When he won we were screaming “he did it! He did it!” and jumping in our room. Finally my mother comes running in the room breathless going, “my God are you ok!!!??” We made our mother sit down and watch the replay! Even she got excited!!

[@maddymud]

It’s such a good race that after watching the Norwegian win the hurdles I came here

[@user-vx3wm4hn5i]

I just read about you in a book sir and had to see it with my eyes

[@billytoad]

Truly amazing!!!

[@polyscroll]

Great to see Dave give a commentary for that phenomenal race!

[@downtherabbithole1353]

Legendary moment

[@billytoad]

Still gives me the chills decades later! Truly magical!!

[@martinruthven2523]

Such a good lesson, never give up. I watched this a 1000 times. One of the best results ever.

[@jtimothymeigs]

That was super fun! I've watched that race lots of times, but this really added something extra special to it!

[@tomsimpson6044]

Wow-so cool. One of my favorite races of all time. I watched this video with a big smile on my face.

[@aggiebaka4081]

have watched this race 1001 timez...Am a great fan Mr Wottle...God Bless !!

[@PooleMatt]

I was an impressionable 880 runner when Dave ran that race. He was a huge influence on me, going back to his Olympic Trials world record-tying 800 win. In 1972, VCRs were a rarity, but I taped the audio portion of the Olympic 800 broadcast on ABC. I loved what I figured was Marty Liquori's little "yip" right after Jim McKay announced, "I think he did it!" And Liquori's NJ accent in saying the word "tactical". All these years later, I'm pleased to find Billy's interview, and Dave's affable on-camera presence. I just pointed out this KZbin link to my friends, former top runners and national championship-winning high school coaches Marc and Joan Hunter, who just happen to be the parents of one Drew Hunter - who ain't too shabby a runner himself. Marc, from Ohio, had a visitor in his home long ago - Dave came calling to recruit him to run at Bowling Green. Quite the honor for Marc, a state champion. Sorry you didn't convince Marc to attend BG, Dave. Thanks for your latest, Billy.

[@JAHinHK]

Your best episode to date. I have always loved watching that race and to get the inside scoop was a real treat. Thank you.

[@sanitary103]

Legend

[@nordicwilly6650]

What a humble guy who rose to the occasion. Love watching that race over and over.

[@JamesSmith-tg7qc]

I'm English and remember this race afterwards we called him wottle the throttle I remember the hat as well

[@billytoad]

love that nickname! Wild isnt it!!

[@derekjones7070]

I watch this when I need a feel good story when I'm bummed out or sometimes in the morning before my long day to get motivated this was awesome go usa and also billy mills is another Olympic running feel good story too

[@johnknych833]

Great video. Just the right length and well-done. Looking forward to watching more! David Wottle's a champion.

[@peteocean2848]

Dang! Awesome video. Keep it up. I watched the real race of Dave like 1,000 times. Now, a full back story and the HAT!!!

[@mjkobylski]

Loved viewing this again. BGSU graduate. Right place at the right time with the right training. Truly a once in a generation story. You go Dave.

[@stephenmenez]

I met you at the cow Palace in SF, I think in 1975 for a pro track meet. I was in seventh grade and you promised me an autograph after the race. Your race didn’t go well and I never got your autograph. I’m still waiting and still a fan, Dave

[@Rafiqi33]

That was GREAT! Thank you!

[@trevorregay9283]

What a GREAT story! God Bless Dave Wottle!

[@timothylarson104]

I was watching that live with my dad and I was 10 years old and even at 10 I thought that was amazing! I actually went on to run track in high school and always thought of Dave Coming from behind for the win💪💪💪

[@billytoad]

truly amazing Eh?!! He was the nicest guy I ever met as well! SO kind! You felt his energy as soon as he walked in the room!

[@tombyrd69]

This is gold. Thank you