On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling January 11 NFL Postseason

January 11th, 2024 - 9:56

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map prior to 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 11 in football at the professional level (especially in Super Bowl IV following 1969 season and both conference championship contests following 1997 campaign):

JANUARY 11

  • Chicago Bears DE Doug Atkins (third-leading scorer as Tennessee center with 9.9 ppg in 1950-51) named co-NFL Pro Bowl MVP following the 1958 season.

  • Cleveland Browns DE Sam Clancy (two-time Eastern 8 first-team selection ended career in 1981 as Pittsburgh's all-time leading rebounder) had a sack in his second straight playoff game following 1986 campaign.

  • San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught five passes for 59 yards in a 35-24 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in divisional-round game following 2008 season. Chargers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's scoring leader with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) opened contest's scoring with a 41-yard touchdown reception from Philip Rivers.

  • Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught four passes for team-high 55 receiving yards in a 38-31 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in AFC divisional-round playoff contest following 2003 season. Colts TEs Marcus Pollard (juco transfer averaged 7.3 ppg and 5 rpg for Bradley in 1992-93 and 1993-94) and Joe Dean Davenport (Arkansas hooper in 1998-99 under coach Nolan Richardson Jr.) combined for four pass receptions from Peyton Manning.

  • Bud Grant (third-leading scorer for Minnesota in 1948-49 after named team MVP previous season over first-team All-American Jim McIntyre) coached the Minnesota Vikings when they suffered a 23-7 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl IV following 1969 season. Vikings QB Joe Kapp (backup forward averaged 1.8 ppg and 1.2 rpg for California's PCC champions in 1957 and 1958) completed 16-of-25 passes for 183 yards. Vikings DB Charlie West (collected two points and one rebound in two UTEP basketball games in 1967-68 under coach Don Haskins) returned three kickoffs and two punts, LDT Gary Larsen (played hoops for Concordia MN in early 1960s) registered three solo tackles and LCB Earsell Mackbee (teammate of Utah State All-American Wayne Estes averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.4 rpg in 1964-65) collected six solo tackles. Chiefs FL Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M) caught a 46-yard touchdown pass from Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57). Chiefs RDT Buck Buchanan (earned hoops letter as Grambling freshman in 1958-59) recorded a sack among his five solo tackles and LLB Bobby Bell (first African-American hooper for Minnesota in 1960-61) contributed two solo tackles.

  • Tennessee Titans TE Erron Kinney (averaged 2.5 ppg and 1.3 rpg in six basketball games for Florida in 1996-97 under coach Billy Donovan) caught a touchdown pass from Steve McNair in 34-31 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Divisional Playoff Round following 2002 season. Steelers rookie WR Antwaan Randle El (member of Indiana's 1999 NCAA Tournament team coached by Bob Knight) caught four passes for 53 yards, rushed once for 11 yards, returned three kickoffs for 57 yards and returned two punts for 14 yards.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw two touchdown passes in a 20-17 Divisional Playoff Round win against the Green Bay Packers in overtime following 2003 season.

  • San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UT Chattanooga hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught six passes for team-high 100 receiving yards - including game-long 48-yarder - in a 23-10 setback against the Green Bay Packers in NFC Championship following 1997 season. Niners RB Terry Kirby (hooper for Virginia's NCAA tourney teams in 1989-90 and 1990-91) chipped in with four pass receptions from Steve Young.

  • Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) recorded team highs of six pass receptions and 87 receiving yards from John Elway in a 24-21 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in AFC Championship following 1997 season.

  • Denver Broncos TE Julius Thomas (averaged 6.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg while shooting 66.3% from floor with Portland State from 2006-07 through 2009-10) caught six passes for 53 yards - including game-long 32-yarder from Peyton Manning - in a 24-13 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in AFC divisional-round playoff contest following 2014 season.