Clayton Keller just came home with a gold medal as part of the first U.S. Olympic hockey team to take the top Olympic prize since 1980. But that’s not his only athletic achievement that he likes to boast about.
The Utah Mammoth forward has the golf bug. He’s a big fantasy golf player and can get his ball around better than most. Keller used to play in Phoenix as a member of the Coyotes before their move to Utah, and he’s no stranger to teeing it up with Subpar co-host Colt Knost.
In fact, Keller beat Knost straight up on one occasion.
“Oh yeah, I did one time,” Keller said on the latest episode of GOLF’s Subpar, when asked if he’d ever beat Knost. “That’s my claim to fame. Straight up.”
“Cool. I beat Tiger once,” Knost jokingly fired back. “I do think you shot like 68 and I shot 69. That was just devastating.”
Keller played in four games for Team USA in Milan. While the post-gold celebration was memorable, it was the phone call telling him he made the team that sticks in his mind.
“Yeah, unbelievable feeling,” Keller said. “I had obviously gone through a lot this year. My dad passed away. Just a lot of emotions. A lot of thinking of all the people that sacrificed for me to make that team. Just super thankful to be on that team.”
After beating Canada to win the gold medal, Team USA flew back to New York, but the flight was diverted to Miami due to weather. It was there that the gold medal celebration took off, and Pat McAfee picked up the tab.
“Just an unbelievable time,” Keller said of the celebration. “We took like a quick parade around Miami and there was actually a lot of people there supporting us. Even at our hotel, there were a lot of people chanting ‘USA!’ It was just such a cool experience. I didn’t know what to expect, but it exceeded all expectations.
“Mr. McAfee picked up the bill. That was a tidy bill. Probably the best night out I’ve ever had in my entire life.”
To hear more from Keller on the Gold Medal game, his fantasy golf addiction and more, check out the full episode below.
