Bobby Finke speechless after surprise gift from NFL legends

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Bobby Finke is collecting more than just gold following his successful stint at the 2024 Paris Olympics — thanks to a couple of football legends, he’s bringing home cold, hard cash.

Finke, who previously won gold in the 800 and 1,500-meter freestyle at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, clinched two more medals in Paris — a gold and silver and set a world record.

After winning silver in the 800, the 24-year-old defended his 1,500-meter gold, with a time of 14:30:67, breaking the 12-year-old record of 14:31:02 set by China’s Sun Yang in the 2012 London Olympics. 

While the four-time Olympic medalist will get paid for his wins, it’s a relatively small amount compared to other countries. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) pays athletes $37,500 for every gold medal they earn. Those who earned silver get $22,500 while those who won bronze get $15,000.

Upon hearing how little gold medalists receive, Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe and former NFL wide receiver Chad “OchoCinco” Johnson decided to take matters into their own hands, offering any athlete who wins gold $25,000 and $50,000 to any American who breaks a world record.

On Friday, Finke spoke with Sharpe and Johnson on their podcast “Nightcap,” where he became speechless upon learning about his grand prize from the two legends.

“Bobby, on behalf of Shay Shay Media and Nightcap; we’re very proud of you here, I know my subscribers are proud of you, I know the U.S. is proud of you and to show you how proud we are of you…I don’t know if you can see that, can you see that in your screen?” Sharpe asked as he held up the $50,000 check to Finke.

“Uh…kinda,” Finke replied, squinting at the screen. “Oh! Oh, god!” he exclaimed with what sounded like a nervous laugh.

Once the camera focused in closely to show the check, Finke was speechless. However, knowing Johnson, the money didn’t come without a bit of a challenge.

As Sharpe was telling Finke they’d get the check to him, Johnson cut in and jokingly told the Olympic swimmer that he’d have to beat him in a race once he got back to the Sunshine State to get the full $50,000.

“Wait a minute, wait, woah, woah, woah,” Johnson said. “Bobby, now, in order to get that in its entirety, when you come back to Florida, we have to race — 800 [meter] or the 1500 [meter], whatever you want to do.”

“I’ll do whatever you guys want,” Finke said laughing. “I’ll do anything.”

“If you can beat me, it’s all yours,” Johnson said. “But congratulations though man, congratulations, man.”

After taking in the news, Finke sat back in disbelief as Sharpe and Johnson applauded him for his success at the Paris Olympics.

“I’m proud of you, bro. Congratulations [on] what you’ve been able to accomplish thus far. Stay healthy, good luck down the road, I mean, the World’s are next year, and then in two years after that, you’ve got the Olympics in [Los Angeles], so we look forward to following your career, continued success, bro, and congratulations again on all your accomplishments,” Sharpe said.

The gratitude didn’t stop there as Finke gave thanks back to the two former NFL players for the generous gift.

“I don’t even know what to say, you guys, oh, wow. You guys are amazing. Holy s***. I mean, you guys are already legendary in your sport, but you guys are legendary for this. I can’t thank you guys enough,” Finke said.

“I appreciate everything you guys have done for your sports, and obviously, for the Olympic Games this time, especially for the athletes. This is a dream. This is a dream and you guys are well a part of it, and thank you, thank you so much,” the swimmer continued.