Renaldo Nehemiah

Renaldo Nehemiah, a retired track and field athlete, and former world record holder in the 110-meter high hurdles, is recognized for his contributions in track and field as well as his career in the National Football League (NFL). He played as a wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers and was a four-time winner of the Superstars competition.

Nehemiah's record-breaking time of 12.93 for the 110-meter high hurdles, established in 1981 in Zurich, Switzerland, made him the first man to run this event in under 13 seconds. He remained the top-ranked athlete in this event for four consecutive years. Nehemiah also secured a gold medal in the 1979 Pan American Games and the 1979 IAAF World Cup for the 110 m hurdles.

In 1982, Nehemiah transitioned from dominating the hurdles to the world of professional football, showcasing his versatility. With no prior college experience in football, he successfully marked his career as a member of the World Champion San Francisco 49ers from 1982 to 1986. During his tenure, Nehemiah was a part of the Super Bowl XIX championship team in the 1984 season. Between 1981 and 1983, Nehemiah won the overall Superstars competition for three consecutive years, competing against top athletes from a variety of sports. After a two-year absence imposed by the Superstars Committee due to his domination, he returned in 1986 to claim the overall Superstars competition again.

Following an extensive legal battle, Nehemiah set a precedent by becoming the first amateur ever to play professional football and be reinstated to run track and field. This is now referred to as the Nehemiah Rule, allowing professional athletes to participate as amateurs in track and field.

With a successful athletic career, Nehemiah received several awards; he was inducted into the National Track & Field Hall of Fame, the State of New Jersey Sports Hall of Fame, and the University of Maryland Hall of Fame. He was also recognized as the ACC Athlete of the Year in 1979.

Post his retirement from professional sports, Nehemiah transitioned into sports management, serving as the President of Athletics Promotion Ltd, an athlete representation & sports marketing firm in Reston, Virginia. Here, he manages top male and female athletes, overseeing their marketing strategies, contract negotiations, budget management, and recruiting. He represents prominent athletes such as Allen Johnson, Mark Crear, Justin Gatlin, Sha'Carri Richardson, and Kirani James. Nehemiah’s involvement extends to the University of Maryland Terrapin Club managing board, which raises money for athletic scholarships, and the University of Maryland Athletic Capital Campaign Cabinet, raising funds for various campus athletic projects.