On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling January 10 NFL Postseason

January 10th, 2024 - 8:43

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug 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 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 hoops 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 January 10 in football at the professional level (especially St. Louis Rams in NFC divisional-round playoff game following 2003 season and pair of Tennessee Titan wide receivers in six-year span):

JANUARY 10

  • Cincinnati Bengals QB Ken Anderson (swingman finished Augustana IL career in early 1970s as fifth-leading scorer in school history with 1,044 points) threw two touchdown passes in 27-7 AFC championship playoff win against the San Diego Chargers following 1981 season. Bengals WR David Verser (Kansas hooper in five games in 1977-78 under coach Ted Owens) returned a kickoff for 40 yards in his second straight playoff game.

  • Tennessee Titans rookie WR Tyrone Calico (played one basketball game for Middle Tennessee State in 1998-99) had a 30-yard pass reception from QB Steve McNair in 17-14 AFC divisional-round playoff reversal against the New England Patriots following 2003 campaign.

  • Baltimore Ravens PK Billy Cundiff (played in nine basketball contests with Drake in 1999-00 and 2000-01) converted two field goals in a 33-14 win against the New England Patriots in AFC wild-card game following 2009 season. Patriots OLB Adalius Thomas (averaged 2.9 ppg and 1.9 rpg for Southern Mississippi in 1996-97 and 1997-98) amassed five solo tackles.

  • Tennessee Titans WR Justin Gage (averaged 2.1 ppg and 2.9 rpg for Missouri from 1999-00 through 2001-02) had 10 pass receptions for 135 yards in a 13-10 AFC divisional-round playoff setback against the Baltimore Ravens following 2008 season.

  • Minnesota Vikings TE Andrew Glover (All-SWAC second-team selection as senior in 1990-91 when leading Grambling with 16.2 ppg and 8.6 rpg while pacing league in field-goal shooting) caught a touchdown pass from Randall Cunningham in 41-21 NFC divisional-round playoff win against the Arizona Cardinals following 1998 season.

  • TE Jimmy Graham (part-time starter for Miami FL averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg from 2005-06 through 2008-09) accounted for the Chicago Bears' lone touchdown with a fourth-quarter pass reception in 21-9 setback against the New Orleans Saints in NFC wild-card game following 2020 season.

  • Baltimore Ravens TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) had a 23-yard pass reception in 13-10 win against the Tennessee Titans in AFC divisional-round game following 2008 season.

  • St. Louis Rams WR Dane Looker (averaged 4.8 ppg as Western Washington freshman in 1995-96 and 10.2 ppg as sophomore in 1996-97 before transferring to Washington and concentrating on football) caught two passes for 31 yards and a two-point conversion late in fourth quarter of 29-23 NFC divisional-round setback in double overtime against the Carolina Panthers following 2003 season. Rams LB Tommy Polley (played in one basketball game for Florida State in 1996-97 under coach Pat Kennedy) provided seven solo tackles and returned an interception 37 yards while S Jason Sehorn (averaged 12.5 ppg and 6 rpg for Shasta Community College CA in 1990-91) chipped in with four solo tackles.

  • Green Bay Packers rookie CB Quinten Rollins (led Miami OH in steals all four seasons from 2010-11 through 2013-14 including Mid-American Conference as senior) recorded a solo tackle in 35-18 win against the Washington Redskins in NFC wild-card game following 2015 season.

  • Arizona Cardinals RLB Patrick Sapp (Clemson hooper in 1994-95) provided five solo tackles in 41-21 setback against the Minnesota Vikings in divisional-round game following 1998 season.