As Giants open season, former RB David Wilson looks to make jump to the Olympics

NEW YORK (WABC) -- The New York Giants open their season Monday night on Channel 7, and one man who won't be on the sidelines is running back David Wilson.

On Monday, he was practicing his triple jump at the armory in Washington Heights.

"Track and field has always been my second passion. Now for the first time in my life it can be my first passion," said Wilson.

Going into college, Wilson told the team chaplain he had two dreams: play professional football and go to the Olympics.

"At the time it just sounded good. And now I am standing here and it's possible. I've played in the NFL, that's one. And ya know, the Olympics is coming up and I'm training for it," Wilson said.

He will never play football again. A diagnosis of spinal stenosis meant the hits were too dangerous and Wilson would risk serious, life-altering injury just by stepping on the field.

But if you're looking for his sob story, you won't hear it.

"It's not the first time something has been taken away from me or there is something I couldn't do or wasn't able to complete. So with that said, you just move on and keep going and keep pushing. Make your own path," he said. "If I was down and beating myself and giving up on the world because something was taken away I wouldn't have got as far as I've gotten."

And he wants to go even further. As his former team gets ready to open their season, Wilson is preparing for an event that's nearly two years away.

"I want to get to the Olympics and go to Rio, but I don't want to just get there. I want to compete and be a competitor for the gold medal," Wilson said.

Does he have a shot? Well, he'll have to work hard. His personal best jump right now would have placed him 10th in the last trials.

But he says he's moving back to Virginia, working with his college track coach and finishing his degree.