Ex-Giant David Wilson sets sights on U.S. Olympic team

Former New York Giants running back David Wilson had to end his football career after a serious neck injury in 2013, but isn't leaving his dream of athletic competition back on the football field.

Wilson will participate in the triple jump at the Adidas Grand Prix NYC this Saturday and has his mind set on making the U.S. Olympic team.

The 23-year-old Wilson's promising career was cut short after being taken in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft, but chose to step away from the game after less than two full seasons. The Giants officially released him in February after he was injured in a 2013 game and told that he could become seriously injured if he played football again.

"I got to live my dream," Wilson said at an emotional August press conference announcing the decision. "I'll set another dream, and be great at that."

Now Wilson's dream, competing in the 2016 Olympics in Rio, are closer to a reality as he makes his first professional track appearance Saturday at Icahn Stadium on Randall's Island.

The New York event will be his last chance to qualify for the USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships in Oregon later this month, according to NJ.com.

Wilson was known for his standing backflips after touchdowns and was a national champion in the triple jump when he ran track in high school and also finished sixth in the event nationally his senior year at Virginia Tech.

Wilson said that his personal best was 53 feet, 1 ¾ inches.

Saturday's grand prix event will include some of the world's best triple jumpers, including American William Claye, who won a silver medal in 2012 with a jump of 57 feet 9  ¾ inches.