On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle September 18 NFL Gridiron

September 18th, 2022 - 9:09

Long before kneeling knuckleheads and multiple anthems, 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 do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the 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 September 18 in football at the professional level (especially in 1966):

SEPTEMBER 18

  • Buffalo Bills FL Elbert Dubenion (solid rebounder and defensive player for Bluffton OH in late 1950s) caught two touchdown passes (53 and 40 yards) in a 27-21 setback against the Denver Broncos in AFL's inaugural season in 1960.

  • Atlanta Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught two touchdown passes in a 35-31 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011.

  • Dallas Cowboys CB Cornell Green (Utah State's all-time leading scorer and rebounder when career ended in 1961-62) had two interceptions - returning one of them 41 yards for touchdown - in a 52-7 win against the New York Giants in 1966 season opener.

  • Rookie QB Randy Hedberg (three-time All-NDCAC hooper for Minot State ND from 1975 through 1977) started 1977 season opener for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when they lost to Philadelphia Eagles, 13-3.

  • San Diego Chargers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's leading scorer with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught 10 passes for 172 yards - including two fourth-quarter touchdowns from Philip Rivers - in a 35-21 setback against the New England Patriots in 2011.

  • Green Bay Packers RB Aaron Jones (collected six points and six assists in eight UTEP basketball games as freshman in 2013-14 under coach Tim Floyd) rushed for 132 yards on 15 carries in a 27-10 win against the Chicago Bears in 2022.

  • Baltimore Colts TE John Mackey (Syracuse hooper in 1960-61) caught two touchdown passes from Johnny Unitas (83 and 26 yards) in a 38-23 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1966.

  • New York Giants DE George Martin (Oregon teammate of freshman basketball sensation Ron Lee in 1972-73) returned an interception 30 yards for touchdown in 20-17 win against the Washington Redskins in 1977 season opener.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) completed 23-of-29 passes for 342 yards and five touchdowns - including two in first half to WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) - in a 42-3 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 2005.

  • Cleveland Browns WR Evan Moore (Stanford hooper in 2003-04 and 2004-05) had a touchdown reception in his second consecutive contest in 2011.

  • Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught nine passes for 133 yards in a 32-10 AFL setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1966.

  • DB Wayne Rasmussen (MVP in 1963 NCAA College Division Tournament for South Dakota State) had an interception in each of the Detroit Lions' first two games in 1966.

  • New York Jets DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for Maryland-Eastern Shore in mid-1950s) had two interceptions in his second straight AFL game in 1966.