Titans running back Chris Johnson says he could beat Usain Bolt in the 40. (WADE PAYNE / AP) Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson thinks he could give Usain Bolt — the world’s most appropriately named human being as well as its fastest — a run for his money in a footrace.

“I feel like if I would have kept training for track I’d have a chance, but I play football and he runs track, so it’s totally different,” Johnson told the Tennessean’s Jim Wyatt. “I think I could still probably beat him in the 40. If I actually trained for the distance he trained for, I think I’d have a chance.”

Usain Bolt, blindingly fast in a 200 heat in which he wasn’t going full speed. (David J. Phillip / AP) Hmm. Johnson was a high school track star in Orlando and ran a 4.24 40 at the NFL combine in 2008. Bolt set world records in the 100 and 200 meters at the Beijing Olympics four years ago. He won his second gold in the 100 in London with a 9.63; he’ll run to cement his Olympic legacy in the 200 today.

Johnson wasn’t dissing Bolt, just measuring his talents against him. “He is a great athlete,” Johnson said. “I think he’ll be the best track athlete ever to compete in the Olympics.”

Bolt vs. Johnson isn’t likely to happen, though. Bolt is more interested in the beautiful game — and Manchester United.

“People think I am joking, but if Alex Ferguson called me up and said, ‘Okay, let's do this. Come and have a trial,’ it would be impossible for me to say no,” Bolt said Monday. “I would not take up the challenge if I didn't think I was good enough. I am a very accomplished player and know I could make a difference.”

Follow us: @CindyBoren | @MattBrooksWP

More

Bolt takes aim at history in 200

Report: Bolt invited to Man U tryout

​: Bolt dominates a day on the track

Wise: Why did expect anything else from Bolt?