On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling January 24 NFL Gridiron

January 24th, 2024 - 9:26

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before spurring 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 24 in NFL (especially receivers in both conference championship contests following 2015 season):

JANUARY 24

  • QB Ken Anderson (swingman finished Augustana IL career in early 1970s as fifth-leading scorer in school history with 1,044 points) accounted for all three of the Cincinnati Bengals' touchdowns (two passing/one rushing in second half) in a 26-21 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XVI following 1981 season. Bengals WR David Verser (Kansas hooper in five games in 1977-78 under coach Ted Owens) returned five kickoffs for 52 yards. Niners LCB Ronnie Lott (Southern California hooper in 1979-80) contributed three solo tackles.

  • Green Bay Packers LB Fred Carr (played for defending NCAA champion Texas Western in 1967 playoffs under coach Don Haskins) shared the NFL Pro Bowl MVP award following 1970 season.

  • Arizona Cardinals TE Darren Fells (averaged 10.2 ppg and 6.3 rpg from 2004-05 through 2007-08, leading UC Irvine in rebounding each of last three seasons) caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Carson Palmer in 49-15 setback against the Charlotte Panthers in NFC championship game following 2015 season.

  • Green Bay Packers TE Marcedes Lewis (collected nine points and four rebounds in seven UCLA basketball contests in 2002-03 under coach Steve Lavin) caught three passes for 28 yards from Aaron Rodgers in a 31-26 setback against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in NFC Championship following 2020 season.

  • Denver Broncos WR Jordan Norwood (Penn State hooper in four games in 2006-07) caught two passes from Peyton Manning and returned three punts for 21 yards in a 20-18 win against the New England Patriots in AFC Championship following 2015 season.