Watch: WVU Legend Defends Athletic Ability to Granddaughter

“Do you ever wish that you were athletic?” That’s what WVU legend John Mallory’s granddaughter asked him in a viral video that’s now circulating on social media.

Mallory’s response to her question is what makes the video a must-watch. “I thought I was,” said Mallory before laughing.

She would continue asking similar questions, even going as far as to ask if he ever wished he could run really really fast and or catch a ball really well. And of course, Mallory would respond “I was fast” and “I did catch a ball” to each one.

But playing along, he also added in the joke of “now I just catch a cold” too.

TRENDING: WVU legend and former #NFL star John Mallory's reaction to being asked by his granddaughter if he wishes he were athletic has gone viral.

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This is hilarious.
pic.twitter.com/HmBxCR4ld1

— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) October 8, 2025

This back and forth continues on for about a minute, leading to other people in the room laughing along as well.

Inducted into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame in 2001, Mallory was a star defensive back at WVU in the late 1960s. He was voted the Mountaineers’ team MVP in 1967 and picked off 10 passes during a college career that also saw him return punts.

Mallory was part two WVU teams to win conference titles (1965, 67) before being drafted in the 10th round of the 1968 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. He played one season with the Eagles and then three with the Atlanta Falcons.