On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling December 26 NFL Gridiron

December 26th, 2023 - 10:08

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as ill-informed GQ poster boy #ColonKrapernick and his supporters spurring politicized multiple anthems and NFL funding anti-cop activist groups, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on December 26 in football at the professional level (especially in 1943 and 1954 championship games):

DECEMBER 26

  • Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (Texas Christian three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 41-21 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1943 championship contest. Bears E Jim Benton (forward was Arkansas' third-leading scorer in SWC play as senior in 1937-38) caught a 26-yard touchdown pass from Sid Luckman. Luke Johnsos (Northwestern hoops letterman in 1927 and 1928) co-coached the Bears. Bears B Ray Nolting (Cincinnati hoops letterman in 1936) rushed for 30 yards on seven carries and returned two punts for 17 yards.

  • Rookie FB Bill Bowman (fouled out with four points in only basketball game with William & Mary in 1953-54) scored the Detroit Lions' only touchdown (five-yard rush) in a 56-10 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1954 NFL championship game. Bowman also had a 50-yard run from scrimmage in the contest. Browns DE Len Ford (center for Morgan State's CIAA hoops titlist in 1944) returned two interceptions a total of 45 yards. Browns E Pete Brewster (forward-center was Purdue's fourth-leading scorer as junior and senior) caught an eight-yard TD pass and 45-yard reception from Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43). Graham threw three first-half TD passes and rushed for three TDs. The next year, Graham threw two TD passes (50 and 35 yards) and rushed for two TDs while Ford had another INT in a 38-14 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1955 NFL title tilt.

  • A fourth-quarter touchdown reception by TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) carried the Kansas City Chiefs to a 31-24 win against the Oakland Raiders in 1998 season finale.

  • TE Jimmy Graham (part-time starting forward averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg with Miami FL from 2005-06 through 2008-09 under coach Frank Haith) caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Nick Foles with one minute remaining to help lift the Chicago Bears to a 25-24 success against the Seattle Seahawks in 2021.

  • RB Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) opened the Green Bay Packers' scoring with a rushing touchdown in 13-10 conference championship playoff win against the Baltimore Colts in 1965.

  • QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) passed for 471 yards - including 33-yarder for touchdown in overtime - to propel the Washington Redskins to a 26-20 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1999.

  • New York Jets RB Johnny Johnson (averaged 11.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg and 3.2 apg in 1988-89 after majority of hoop team members walked off San Jose State squad) totaled 175 yards in rushing (94 on 16 carries) and pass receiving (81 on eight catches) in a 16-14 setback against the Buffalo Bills in 1993.

  • Houston Texans WR Jacoby Jones (part-time starter averaged 3.4 ppg and 3.7 rpg for Lane TN in 2004-05 and 2005-06) had five pass receptions for 115 yards in a 24-23 setback against the Denver Broncos in 2010.

  • Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (UCLA hooper under legendary coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw two touchdown passes in a 24-20 playoff setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1971 playoff divisional round.

  • Cleveland Browns RB Terry Kirby (averaged 3.4 ppg as Virginia freshman in 1989-90 and 2.1 as sophomore in 1990-91) rushed for two touchdowns in a 29-28 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in 1999 season finale.

  • Chicago Bears TE Greg Latta (two-year Morgan State letterman averaged 9.3 ppg and 5.4 rpg in 15 games in 1970-71) had two pass receptions for 25 yards in a 37-7 divisional round playoff setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1977.

  • San Francisco 49ers DB Ronnie Lott (USC hooper as junior in 1979-80) returned an interception 83 yards for fourth-quarter touchdown in 26-13 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1982.

  • Baltimore Colts TE Tom Mitchell (averaged 6.1 ppg and 9.4 rpg in 10 basketball games for Bucknell in 1963-64) caught five passes for 73 yards in a 20-3 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1971 NFL playoff divisional round.

  • Houston Texans LB Antwan Peek (made one field goal and grabbed five rebounds in six basketball games for Cincinnati in 2000-01 under coach Bob Huggins) returned a recovered fumble 66 yards for touchdown in 21-0 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2004.

  • Minnesota Vikings TE Joe Senser (two-time NCAA Division I leader in FG% averaged 11.4 ppg and 7.4 rpg while shooting 66.2% from floor in four-year career for West Chester State PA) caught 10 passes in a 42-14 setback against the New York Jets in 1982.

  • Cincinnati Bengals WR David Verser (played five basketball games for Kansas in 1977-78 under coach Ted Owens) caught a 56-yard touchdown pass from Ken Anderson (swingman finished Augustana IL career in early 1970s as fifth-leading scorer in school history with 1,044 points) in 24-10 win against the Seattle Seahawks in 1982.

  • San Francisco 49ers TE Bob Windsor (played two games for Kentucky in 1965-66 under coach Adolph Rupp) caught a touchdown pass from John Brodie in 24-20 divisional round playoff win against the Washington Redskins in 1971.