On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling January 25 NFL Super Bowls

January 25th, 2024 - 8:38

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 turned defensive ends making a name for themselves on January 25 in the NFL's Super Bowl:

JANUARY 25

  • Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg for Southern in 1969-70) caught five passes for 83 yards in 27-10 setback against the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XV following 1980 season. Fellow HBCU product Art Shell (two-year hoops letterman for Maryland-Eastern Shore) was starting LT with the Raiders.

  • New York Giants LDE George Martin (Oregon teammate of freshman sensation Ron Lee in 1972-73) tackled John Elway for a safety for only second-quarter score in 39-20 win against the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXI following 1986 season.

  • Alfred Williams (Colorado hooper briefly in 1989-90) was starting RDE for the Denver Broncos in their 31-24 victory against the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII following 1997 season.