Former Texas A&M Football Walk-On Boone Niederhofer Heads to Winter Olympics

Niederhofer's journey from the gridiron to the bobsled track culminates in a spot on the U.S. Olympic team.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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After a successful career as a walk-on wide receiver at Texas A&M, Boone Niederhofer's football dreams were cut short by a torn ACL his senior year. But nearly a decade later, Niederhofer will make history as the first Aggie to compete in the Winter Olympics, joining the U.S. bobsled team as a push athlete in Cortina, Italy.

Why it matters

Niederhofer's story showcases the resilience and adaptability of former college athletes, as he transitioned from the football field to the ice track, chasing a new athletic dream. His journey also highlights the challenges of balancing a demanding Olympic training regimen with a full-time job and family responsibilities.

The details

After his football career ended, Niederhofer was introduced to bobsled through a combine at Texas A&M in 2018. He impressed USA Bobsled and earned a spot as a push athlete, one of the team members who sprint and push the sled before hopping in. Niederhofer's path to the Olympics has been a delicate balancing act, as he has had to juggle bobsled training, a full-time job at an oil and gas company, and raising a family with his wife, Chloe.

  • Niederhofer tore his ACL in the regular-season finale against LSU his senior year at Texas A&M.
  • Niederhofer attended a bobsled combine at Texas A&M in 2018, which led to his introduction to the sport.
  • Niederhofer will compete in the four-man bobsled event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina, Italy, with training heats beginning on February 18 and the main competition starting on February 21.

The players

Boone Niederhofer

A former walk-on wide receiver at Texas A&M University who is now competing as a push athlete on the U.S. Olympic bobsled team.

Chloe Niederhofer

Boone Niederhofer's wife, who has been a supportive partner throughout his journey from college football to the Winter Olympics.

Sam Moeller

A former 12th Man at Texas A&M who invited Boone Niederhofer to a bobsled combine, leading to Niederhofer's introduction to the sport.

Frank Del Duca

The driver of the U.S. bobsled team that Boone Niederhofer competed with, helping to qualify for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

Michael Schwarz

Boone Niederhofer's boss at Civitas Resources, who has allowed him to work remotely to accommodate his Olympic training and competition schedule.

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What they’re saying

“I would just say that, you know, 'It's going to lead to something better.' I would have never guessed that my life went in the direction that it did. And I'm really thankful for that.”

— Boone Niederhofer (thebatt.com)

“The sport is not glamorous. People will see the sport every four years when they watch the Winter Olympics, and people just sort of assume, 'Oh yeah, I bet those people are paid,' or 'You know, I bet they get a lot of help and fundraising.' … You have to be scrappy and fight for yourself in the sport to be successful.”

— Chloe Niederhofer, Boone Niederhofer's wife (thebatt.com)

“[Bobsled] is definitely something to keep in mind if you do not make it to the next level in your sport, but have a dream of continuing to be an athlete. My whole life, all I ever wanted to be was an athlete from a young age to even now. I still kind of have to pinch myself sometimes that I, even at 32, still get to be an athlete and train for a sport that I love.”

— Boone Niederhofer (thebatt.com)

What’s next

When training heats for the four-man bobsled event begin on Wednesday, Feb. 18, and the main competition starts on Saturday, Feb. 21, Boone Niederhofer and his teammates will have their eyes on a medal.

The takeaway

Boone Niederhofer's journey from college football walk-on to Winter Olympian showcases the resilience and adaptability of former student-athletes, as well as the challenges of balancing elite-level training with work and family responsibilities. His story is an inspiration for those who may face setbacks in their athletic pursuits, proving that with determination and an open mind, new opportunities can arise.