On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling December 18 NFL Gridiron

December 18th, 2023 - 10:15

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as ill-informed GQ poster boy #ColonKrapernick and his supporters spurring politicized multiple anthems and league 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 18 in football at the professional level:

DECEMBER 18

  • St. Louis Cardinals DE Bubba Baker (averaged 4.1 ppg and 3.5 rpg as forward-center for Colorado State from 1974-75 through 1977-78) posted three sacks against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1983 season finale.

  • Washington Redskins TE Jean Fugett (leading scorer and rebounder for Amherst MA as junior in 1970-71) had four pass receptions for 61 yards in a 35-20 setback against the Minnesota Vikings in 1976 divisional round playoff game. Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (UCLA hooper under legendary coach John Wooden in 1959-60) passed for 298 yards - including two fourth-quarter touchdowns.

  • Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught two first-half touchdown passes in a 35-19 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1999.

  • Cleveland Browns rookie WR Greg Little (collected five points and five rebounds in 10 basketball games for North Carolina in 2007-08 under coach Roy Williams) caught a career-long 76-yard touchdown pass in 20-17 setback against the Arizona Cardinals in 2011. Little finished game with five receptions for 131 yards.

  • Boston Patriots rookie SE Oscar Lofton (collected 31 points and 30 rebounds in 12 games for Southeastern Louisiana in 1958-59) caught two third-quarter touchdown passes (37 and 39 yards) in a 37-21 AFL setback against the Houston Oilers in 1960 season finale.

  • Carolina Panthers DE Julius Peppers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 60.7% from floor for North Carolina in 1999-00 and 2000-01) returned a fumble recovery 60 yards for touchdown in 34-31 setback against the Atlanta Falcons in 2004.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antwaan Randle El (member of Indiana's 1999 NCAA Tournament team) had five pass receptions for 149 yards in a 33-30 win against the New York Giants in 2004.

  • Green Bay Packers CB Quinten Rollins (led Miami OH in steals all four seasons from 2010-11 through 2013-14 including Mid-American Conference as senior) had a career-high eight tackles in 30-27 win against the Chicago Bears in 2016.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers LB Bill Saul (averaged 6.1 ppg for Penn State in 1959-60) returned an interception eight yards in 57-33 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1966 season finale.

  • Miami Dolphins rookie QB John Stofa (averaged 5.8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Buffalo in 1961-62) passed for 307 yards and four touchdowns in a 29-28 AFL win against the Houston Oilers in 1966 season finale.

  • Indianapolis Colts TE Erik Swoope (averaged 2.6 ppg and 1.7 rpg for Miami FL from 2010-11 through 2013-14) caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from Andrew Luck in 34-6 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 2016.

  • Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) had three sacks in a 24-20 win against the New York Jets in 2005.