• PHOTOS: Sam McGuffie's career in bobsled and his football career at Rice, Michigan and Cy-FairRice running back Sam McGuffie, who became a bit of a legend for his ability to jump over defenders on the football field, made the U.S. Olympic bobsled team for the 2018 Winter Olympics. Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Chronicle
Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Chronicle
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PHOTOS: Sam McGuffie's career in bobsled and his football career at Rice, Michigan and Cy-Fair

Rice running back Sam McGuffie, who became a bit of a legend for his ability to jump over defenders on the football field, made the U.S. Olympic bobsled team for the 2018 Winter Olympics.

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PHOTOS: Sam McGuffie's career in bobsled and his football career at Rice, Michigan and Cy-Fair

Rice running back Sam McGuffie, who became a bit of a legend for his ability to jump over defenders on the football

... more
Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Chronicle
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LAKE PLACID, NY - DECEMBER 16: (L-R) Second place winners Justin Kripps and Jesse Lumsden, first place winners Steven Holcomb and Samuel McGuffie, and third place Chris Spring and Lascelles Brown celebrate after the 2-man Bobsleigh competition during day 1 of the 2017 IBSF World Cup Bobsled & Skeleton at Lake Placid Olympic Center on December 16, 2016 in Lake Placid, New York. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

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LAKE PLACID, NY - DECEMBER 16: (L-R) Second place winners Justin Kripps and Jesse Lumsden, first place winners Steven Holcomb and Samuel McGuffie, and third place Chris Spring and Lascelles Brown celebrate

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Photo: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
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KOENIGSSEE, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 25: Pilot Steven Holcomb of USA competes with Carlo Valdes, James Reed and Samuel McGuffie at the first run of the IBSF World Championships Bob & Skeleton 2017 at Deutsche Post Eisarena Koenigssee on February 25, 2017 in Koenigssee, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)

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KOENIGSSEE, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 25: Pilot Steven Holcomb of USA competes with Carlo Valdes, James Reed and Samuel McGuffie at the first run of the IBSF World Championships Bob & Skeleton 2017 at Deutsche

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Photo: Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images
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(Sequence 2 of 8) Rice running back Sam McGuffie comes up short of the goal line as he tries to hurdle SMU cornerback Richard Crawford (16) during the fourth quarter. The play was a scene reminiscent of McGuffie's leap over a Cypress Creek defender that that made him a YouTube star while at Houston's Cy-Fair High School. less
(Sequence 2 of 8) Rice running back Sam McGuffie comes up short of the goal line as he tries to hurdle SMU cornerback Richard Crawford (16) during the fourth quarter. The play was a scene reminiscent of ... more
Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Chronicle
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(Sequence 3 of 8) Rice running back Sam McGuffie comes up short of the goal line as he tries to hurdle SMU cornerback Richard Crawford (16) during the fourth quarter. The play was a scene reminiscent of McGuffie's leap over a Cypress Creek defender that that made him a YouTube star while at Houston's Cy-Fair High School. less
(Sequence 3 of 8) Rice running back Sam McGuffie comes up short of the goal line as he tries to hurdle SMU cornerback Richard Crawford (16) during the fourth quarter. The play was a scene reminiscent of ... more
Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Chronicle
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(Sequence 4 of 8) Rice running back Sam McGuffie comes up short of the goal line as he tries to hurdle SMU cornerback Richard Crawford (16) during the fourth quarter. The play was a scene reminiscent of McGuffie's leap over a Cypress Creek defender that that made him a YouTube star while at Houston's Cy-Fair High School. less
(Sequence 4 of 8) Rice running back Sam McGuffie comes up short of the goal line as he tries to hurdle SMU cornerback Richard Crawford (16) during the fourth quarter. The play was a scene reminiscent of ... more
Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Chronicle
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(Sequence 1 of 8) Rice running back Sam McGuffie comes up short of the goal line as he tries to hurdle SMU cornerback Richard Crawford (16) during the fourth quarter. The play was a scene reminiscent of McGuffie's leap over a Cypress Creek defender that that made him a YouTube star while at Houston's Cy-Fair High School. less
(Sequence 1 of 8) Rice running back Sam McGuffie comes up short of the goal line as he tries to hurdle SMU cornerback Richard Crawford (16) during the fourth quarter. The play was a scene reminiscent of ... more
Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Chronicle
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(Sequence 5 of 8) Rice running back Sam McGuffie comes up short of the goal line as he tries to hurdle SMU cornerback Richard Crawford (16) during the fourth quarter. The play was a scene reminiscent of McGuffie's leap over a Cypress Creek defender that that made him a YouTube star while at Houston's Cy-Fair High School. less
(Sequence 5 of 8) Rice running back Sam McGuffie comes up short of the goal line as he tries to hurdle SMU cornerback Richard Crawford (16) during the fourth quarter. The play was a scene reminiscent of ... more
Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Chronicle
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HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 04: Running back Sam McGuffie #2 of the Rice Owls splits the defense of linebacker Keenan Robinson #1 and linebacker Emmanuel Acho #18 at Reliant Stadium on September 4, 2010 in Houston, Texas. Texas beat Rice 34-17. less
HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 04: Running back Sam McGuffie #2 of the Rice Owls splits the defense of linebacker Keenan Robinson #1 and linebacker Emmanuel Acho #18 at Reliant Stadium on September 4, 2010 in Houston, ... more
Photo: Bob Levey, Getty Images
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FORT WORTH, TX - DECEMBER 29: Sam McGuffie #2 of the Rice Owls makes a diving catch against the Air Force Falcons on December 29, 2012 during the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. less
FORT WORTH, TX - DECEMBER 29: Sam McGuffie #2 of the Rice Owls makes a diving catch against the Air Force Falcons on December 29, 2012 during the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl at Amon G. Carter Stadium in ... more
Photo: Cooper Neill, Getty Images
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Rice running back Sam McGuffie (2) reacts after nearly getting into the end zone during the second half of the Bell Helicopter Armed Services Bowl at Amon G. Carter Stadium, Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012, in Ft. Worth. less
Rice running back Sam McGuffie (2) reacts after nearly getting into the end zone during the second half of the Bell Helicopter Armed Services Bowl at Amon G. Carter Stadium, Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012, in Ft. ... more
Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle
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Rice Owls running back Sam McGuffie (2) comes up short of the goal line as he tries to hurdle Southern Methodist Mustangs cornerback Richard Crawford (16) during the fourth quarter in college football action at Rice Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010, in Houston. SMU won the game 42-31. The play was a scene reminiscent of McGuffie's leap over a Cypress Creek defender that that made him a YouTube star in 2006 while at Houston's Cy-Fair high school. less
Rice Owls running back Sam McGuffie (2) comes up short of the goal line as he tries to hurdle Southern Methodist Mustangs cornerback Richard Crawford (16) during the fourth quarter in college football action at ... more
Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Houston Chronicle
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**** SEQUENCE # ONE-OF-EIGHT *** Rice Owls running back Sam McGuffie (2) comes up short of the goal line as he tries to hurdle Southern Methodist Mustangs cornerback Richard Crawford (16) during the fourth quarter in college football action at Rice Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010, in Houston. SMU won the game 42-31. The play was a scene reminiscent of McGuffie's leap over a Cypress Creek defender that that made him a YouTube star in 2006 while at Houston's Cy-Fair high school. less
**** SEQUENCE # ONE-OF-EIGHT *** Rice Owls running back Sam McGuffie (2) comes up short of the goal line as he tries to hurdle Southern Methodist Mustangs cornerback Richard Crawford (16) during the fourth ... more
Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Houston Chronicle
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**** SEQUENCE # ONE-OF-EIGHT *** Rice Owls running back Sam McGuffie (2) comes up short of the goal line as he tries to hurdle Southern Methodist Mustangs cornerback Richard Crawford (16) during the fourth quarter in college football action at Rice Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010, in Houston. SMU won the game 42-31. The play was a scene reminiscent of McGuffie's leap over a Cypress Creek defender that that made him a YouTube star in 2006 while at Houston's Cy-Fair high school. less
**** SEQUENCE # ONE-OF-EIGHT *** Rice Owls running back Sam McGuffie (2) comes up short of the goal line as he tries to hurdle Southern Methodist Mustangs cornerback Richard Crawford (16) during the fourth ... more
Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Houston Chronicle
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**** SEQUENCE # ONE-OF-EIGHT *** Rice Owls running back Sam McGuffie (2) comes up short of the goal line as he tries to hurdle Southern Methodist Mustangs cornerback Richard Crawford (16) during the fourth quarter in college football action at Rice Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010, in Houston. SMU won the game 42-31. The play was a scene reminiscent of McGuffie's leap over a Cypress Creek defender that that made him a YouTube star in 2006 while at Houston's Cy-Fair high school. less
**** SEQUENCE # ONE-OF-EIGHT *** Rice Owls running back Sam McGuffie (2) comes up short of the goal line as he tries to hurdle Southern Methodist Mustangs cornerback Richard Crawford (16) during the fourth ... more
Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Houston Chronicle
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**** SEQUENCE # ONE-OF-EIGHT *** Rice Owls running back Sam McGuffie (2) comes up short of the goal line as he tries to hurdle Southern Methodist Mustangs cornerback Richard Crawford (16) during the fourth quarter in college football action at Rice Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010, in Houston. SMU won the game 42-31. The play was a scene reminiscent of McGuffie's leap over a Cypress Creek defender that that made him a YouTube star in 2006 while at Houston's Cy-Fair high school. less
**** SEQUENCE # ONE-OF-EIGHT *** Rice Owls running back Sam McGuffie (2) comes up short of the goal line as he tries to hurdle Southern Methodist Mustangs cornerback Richard Crawford (16) during the fourth ... more
Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Houston Chronicle
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Cy-Fair alum Sam McGuffie produced 809 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns in 10 games with Michigan, but elected to transfer following his lone season in Ann Arbor.
Cy-Fair alum Sam McGuffie produced 809 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns in 10 games with Michigan, but elected to transfer following his lone season in Ann Arbor.
Photo: Gregory Shamus, Getty Images
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Cy-Fair graduate Sam McGuffie runs in a touchdown for Michigan.
Cy-Fair graduate Sam McGuffie runs in a touchdown for Michigan.
Photo: Gregory Shamus, Getty Images
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Cy-Fair High School’s Sam McGuffie thought that playing college football at Michigan was the right move for him, but after one season as a Wolverine he returned to Houston, enrolling at Rice last month.
Cy-Fair High School’s Sam McGuffie thought that playing college football at Michigan was the right move for him, but after one season as a Wolverine he returned to Houston, enrolling at Rice last month.
Photo: Sharon Steinmann, Houston Chronicle
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Cy-Fair running back Sam McGuffie, left, is sticking with his commitment to Michigan.
Cy-Fair running back Sam McGuffie, left, is sticking with his commitment to Michigan.
Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle
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Cy Fair's Sam McGuffie is headed to Michigan.
Cy Fair's Sam McGuffie is headed to Michigan.
Photo: KAREN WARREN, Chronicle
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Cy-Fair running back Sam McGuffie, right, will play for Michigan in the fall. McGuffie ended his high school career on a high note, rushing for a team-leadiing 1,711 yards and 24 touchdowns as a senior.
Cy-Fair running back Sam McGuffie, right, will play for Michigan in the fall. McGuffie ended his high school career on a high note, rushing for a team-leadiing 1,711 yards and 24 touchdowns as a senior.
Photo: Tony Bullard, For The Chronicle
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Lamar's Dewayne Buggs pulls down Cy-Fair running back Sam mcGuffie during the first half.
Lamar's Dewayne Buggs pulls down Cy-Fair running back Sam mcGuffie during the first half.
Photo: Brett Coomer, Chronicle
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Cy-Fair running back Sam McGuffie is caught from behind by Lamar linebacker Dewayne Buggs.
Cy-Fair running back Sam McGuffie is caught from behind by Lamar linebacker Dewayne Buggs.
Photo: Brett Coomer, Chronicle
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Cy-Fair running back Sam McGuffie will be one of six area players participating in the U.S. Army All-America Bowl in San Antonio. McGuffie was selected the West's practice most valuable player, highlighting his week with two long touchdown runs in Wednesday's session. less
Cy-Fair running back Sam McGuffie will be one of six area players participating in the U.S. Army All-America Bowl in San Antonio. McGuffie was selected the West's practice most valuable player, highlighting his ... more
Photo: Brett Coomer, Houston Chronicle
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Cy-Fair running back Sam McGuffie stiff arms Cinco Ranch defender Tanner Leland as he runs for a first down in the first half.
Cy-Fair running back Sam McGuffie stiff arms Cinco Ranch defender Tanner Leland as he runs for a first down in the first half.
Photo: Steve Campbell, Chronicle
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Cy-Fair running back Sam McGuffie leaves Cinco Ranch defender Andrew McAteer in his dust to score a 69-yard touchdown in the first half.
Cy-Fair running back Sam McGuffie leaves Cinco Ranch defender Andrew McAteer in his dust to score a 69-yard touchdown in the first half.
Photo: Steve Campbell, Chronicle
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Cy-Fair running back Sam McGuffie runs away from Cinco Ranch defender Andrew McAteer for a 69-yard touchdown.
Cy-Fair running back Sam McGuffie runs away from Cinco Ranch defender Andrew McAteer for a 69-yard touchdown.
Photo: Steve Campbell, Chronicle
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Cy-Fair's Sam McGuffie stands on the sidelines, injured during the second half of last week's game.
Cy-Fair's Sam McGuffie stands on the sidelines, injured during the second half of last week's game.
Photo: Karen Warren, Chronicle
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Cy-Fair's #2, Sam McGuffie makes a run up the field against Stratford's #11, Charlie Jackson in the first half of the Stratford High School vs. Cy-Fair High School football game at Tully Stadium, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2007. ( Karen Warren / Chronicle) less
Cy-Fair's #2, Sam McGuffie makes a run up the field against Stratford's #11, Charlie Jackson in the first half of the Stratford High School vs. Cy-Fair High School football game at Tully Stadium, Thursday, Aug. ... more
Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle
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Sam McGuffie and Cy-Fair will show their stuff on the national stage when they take on Cy Falls on ESPN2.
Sam McGuffie and Cy-Fair will show their stuff on the national stage when they take on Cy Falls on ESPN2.
Photo: Johnny Hanson, For The Chronicle
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Cy Fair junior, Sam McGuffie (cq) wins the 100 yard hurdles at Crump Stadium 3/03/2007.
Cy Fair junior, Sam McGuffie (cq) wins the 100 yard hurdles at Crump Stadium 3/03/2007.
Photo: Tony Bullard, FOR THE CHRONICLE
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12/30/2006-Sam McGuffie of Cy-Fair, Football Offensive Player of the Year, is one of the All Greater Houston athletes in the Chronicle studio, Saturday. (Steve Ueckert / Chronicle)
12/30/2006-Sam McGuffie of Cy-Fair, Football Offensive Player of the Year, is one of the All Greater Houston athletes in the Chronicle studio, Saturday. (Steve Ueckert / Chronicle)
Photo: Steve Ueckert, Houston Chronicle
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Sam McGuffie's hurdle for Cy-Fair has been replayed often by Houston sportscasters.
Sam McGuffie's hurdle for Cy-Fair has been replayed often by Houston sportscasters.
Photo: Courtsey Of Channel 55
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Cy-Fair's Sam McGuffie is held up by his teammates after McGuffie scored three touchdowns and ran for more than 190 yards after Cy-Fair defeated Lamar 29 to 7 in the Division I Class five A Region III Area Round playoff game. (Johnny Hanson for the Houston Chronicle) less
Cy-Fair's Sam McGuffie is held up by his teammates after McGuffie scored three touchdowns and ran for more than 190 yards after Cy-Fair defeated Lamar 29 to 7 in the Division I Class five A Region III Area ... more
Photo: Johnny Hanson, For The Chronicle
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Cy-Fair's Sam McGuffie's early-season success has him looking ahead to bigger things.
Cy-Fair's Sam McGuffie's early-season success has him looking ahead to bigger things.
Photo: Matthew White, For The Chronicle
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Former Rice and Cy-Fair standout Sam McGuffie was named Monday to the 12-member men's U.S. bobsled team that will compete at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

McGuffie, 28, will be the brakeman for driver Cody Bascue in the two- and four-man competition. The U.S. qualified three sleds for the four-man, one of three countries to do so, and three two-man sleds.

Basecue, from Whitehall, N.Y., Nick Cunningham of Monterey, Calif., and 2010 gold medalist Justin Olsen of San Antonio will be the three U.S. drivers. Olsen won a gold medal in 2010 as a push athlete for driver Steven Holcomb, who died last May.

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McGuffie first attracted attention as a running back at Cy-Fair High School, where his acrobatic running style made him an early YouTube sensation, and played at Michigan before transferring to Rice, where he competed in football and track.

CY-FAIR PRIDE: Former coaches, players enjoy Cy-Fair's long-awaited football state title

He totaled 2,299 all-purpose yards for the Owls in 2010-12 and became the first Rice player to top 1,000 yards both rushing and receiving with 1,057 rushing yards and seven touchdowns and 1,059 receiving yard with nine scores. He also competed in track, medaling in Conference USA meets in the long jump and heptathlon.

After a brief pro football career, McGuffie was recruited as a bobsled push athlete and joined the men's national team in 2015. He has won five World Cup medals and was part of the four-man crew that finished third in the 2017 World Cup standings.

He will be joined in Bascue's four-man sled by Evan Weinstock of Las Vegas and Stave Langton of Melrose, Mass.

Cunningham will race with Hakeem Abdul-Saboor (Powhatan, Va.), Christopher Kinney (Stockbridge, Ga.) and Sam Michener (Gresham, Ore.). Olsen's crew will be Nathan Weber (Pueblo West, Colo.), Carlo Valdes(Newport Beach, Calif.) and Chris Fogt (Alpine, Utah).

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Abdul-Saboor will push Cunningham in two-man and Weinstock will race with Olsen.