On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling January 4 NFL Gridiron

January 4th, 2024 - 8:42

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before politicized multiple anthems and 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 4 in football at the professional level (especially the Cleveland Browns in AFC playoffs following 1980 campaign and WR Andre Rison with three different teams in both AFC and NFC divisional-round competition):

JANUARY 4

  • Philadelphia Eagles LB Connor Barwin (Cincinnati hooper in 2006 NCAA Tournament) contributed four solo tackles in a 26-24 setback against the New Orleans Saints in NFC wild-card game following 2013 season.

  • Rookie TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) accounted for the Kansas City Chiefs' lone touchdown with a third-quarter catch in a 14-10 setback against the Denver Broncos in AFC divisional-round playoff game following 1997 season.

  • New Orleans Saints TE Jimmy Graham (part-time starter for Miami FL averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg from 2005-06 through 2008-09) caught three passes for 44 yards from Drew Brees in a 26-24 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in wild-card game following 2013 season.

  • Baltimore Ravens TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) caught a 31-yard pass in 27-9 win against the Miami Dolphins in AFC wild-card game following 2008 season.

  • Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (Clemson hooper for seven games in 2010-11 under coach Brad Brownell) caught six passes for 90 yards in a 22-19 win against the Buffalo Bills in AFC wild-card game following 2019 season.

  • Minnesota Vikings QB Joe Kapp (backup forward averaged 1.8 ppg and 1.2 rpg for California's PCC champions in 1957 and 1958) threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to Gene Washington in 27-7 NFL championship game win against the Cleveland Browns following 1969 season.

  • Cleveland Browns WR Dave Logan (three-time scoring runner-up averaged 14.1 ppg and 6.3 rpg for Colorado in mid-1970s) had two pass receptions for 36 yards in a 14-12 AFC divisional-round playoff setback against the Oakland Raiders following 1980 season. Browns RB Greg Pruitt (Oklahoma frosh hooper in 1969-70) caught three passes for 54 yards. Browns WR Reggie Rucker (averaged 6.8 ppg and 3.8 rpg for Boston University in 1966-67) caught two passes for 38 yards.

  • Indianapolis Colts DB David Macklin (collected 13 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists for Penn State in 15 basketball games as freshman in 1996-97) returned two interceptions a total of 52 yards in 41-10 win against the Denver Broncos in wild-card playoff game following 2003 season. Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught five passes for 66 yards and scored their only touchdown.

  • Dallas Cowboys RB Preston Pearson (swingman averaged 8.7 ppg and 6 rpg as Illinois senior in 1966-67) caught three of four touchdown passes by Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) in a 37-7 NFC championship game win against the Los Angeles Rams following 1975 season.

  • Kansas City Chiefs WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) had playoff career-highs of eight pass catches and 110 receiving yards in a 14-10 AFC divisional-round playoff setback against the Denver Broncos following 1997 season. Broncos DE Alfred Williams (Colorado hooper in 1989-90) had two sacks. Six years earlier with the Atlanta Falcons, Rison caught seven passes for 62 yards in a 24-7 setback against the Washington Redskins in NFC divisional-round contest. Rison also caught a touchdown pass with the Green Bay Packers from Brett Favre in a 35-14 divisional-round win against the San Francisco 49ers following 1996 season to help offset touchdown catch by 49ers RB Terry Kirby (averaged 2.8 ppg for Virginia's NCAA tourney teams in 1989-90 and 1990-91 under coaches Terry Holland and Jeff Jones).