On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling January 13 NFL Postseason

January 13th, 2024 - 8:14

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 13 in football at the professional level (especially wide receivers for San Diego Chargers in playoff victory following 2007 campaign):

JANUARY 13

  • Houston Texans LOLB Connor Barwin (Cincinnati hooper in 2006 NCAA Tournament) collected three solo tackles and two quarterback hits in a 41-28 setback against the New England Patriots in AFC divisional-round game following 2012 season.

  • San Diego Chargers WR Chris Chambers (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from Philip Rivers in 28-24 AFC divisional-round playoff win against the Indianapolis Colts following 2007 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) had team highs of seven pass receptions and 93 receiving yards (including 14-yard TD).

  • Miami Dolphins DE Vern Den Herder (finished Central College IA career in 1970-71 as school's all-time leading scorer and rebounder) delivered a sack in 24-7 win against the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl VIII following 1973 season. Dolphins QB Bob Griese (Purdue hooper in 1964-65) completed six-of-seven passes with two of the receptions by WR Marlin Briscoe (averaged 9.5 ppg and 3.6 rpg for Nebraska-Omaha in 1964-65). Starting LT protecting Griese was Wayne Moore (averaged 5.7 ppg and 10.3 rpg in four seasons for Lamar in late 1960s). 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 Vikings. Grant's roster included LDT Gary Larsen (Concordia MN hooper in early 1960s), who had four solo tackles, and DB Charlie West (Texas-El Paso hooper in 1967-68 under coach Don Haskins), who returned two kickoffs for 28 yards.

  • Los Angeles Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught five passes including one for a touchdown in 41-28 setback against the New England Patriots in AFC divisional-round game following 2018 season.

  • Atlanta Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) had six pass receptions - including game's first touchdown - in a 30-28 win against the Seattle Seahawks in NFC divisional-round playoff outing following 2012 season.

  • WR Terrell Owens (UT Chattanooga hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) opened the Dallas Cowboys' scoring with a five-yard touchdown pass from Tony Romo in 21-17 NFC divisional-round playoff setback against the New York Giants following 2007 season.

  • San Francisco 49ers WR Tai Streets (collected four points and seven rebounds in 13 games for Michigan's NIT titlist in 1997 under coach Steve Fisher) caught a game-tying touchdown pass from Jeff Garcia in fourth quarter of 25-15 NFC wild-card playoff game setback against the Green Bay Packers following 2001 season.

  • Miami Dolphins RDE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) contributed six solo tackles in a 20-3 setback against the Baltimore Ravens in AFC wild-card playoff game following 2001 season.

  • Baltimore Ravens ROLB Adalius Thomas (averaged 2.9 ppg and 1.9 rpg for Southern Mississippi in 1996-97 and 1997-98) accumulated seven solo tackles in 15-6 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in divisional-round game following 2006 season. Ravens TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) caught three passes for 28 yards.