On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling January 7 NFL Gridiron

January 7th, 2024 - 9:57

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 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 7 in football at the professional level (especially in AFC and NFC championship contests following 1978 campaign):

JANUARY 7

  • 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 a third-quarter touchdown pass from Drew Brees in 45-28 win against the Detroit Lions in wild-card game following 2011 season.

  • Green Bay Packers RB Aaron Jones (collected six points and six assists in eight basketball games as Texas-El Paso freshman in 2013-14 under coach Tim Floyd) rushed for more than 100 yards in each of their last three games of 2023 regular season.

  • Jacksonville Jaguars TE Marcedes Lewis (collected nine points and four rebounds in seven UCLA basketball contests in 2002-03 under coach Steve Lavin) caught three passes in a 10-3 win against the Buffalo Bills in AFC wild-card game following 2017 season.

  • New York Giants CB Jason Sehorn (averaged 12.5 ppg and 6 rpg for Shasta Community College CA in 1990-91) intercepted a pass from Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 ppg for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) and returned it 32 yards for touchdown in 20-10 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in NFC divisional-round playoff game following 2000 season. Sehorn also chipped in with four solo tackles.

  • Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 28-0 win against the Los Angeles Rams in NFC Championship contest following 1978 season.

  • Houston Oilers RCB Greg Stemrick (played in two basketball games for Colorado State in 1973-74) intercepted a pass by QB Terry Bradshaw in their 34-5 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in AFC Championship game following 1978 season.

  • New York Jets DB Rashad Washington (Kansas State hooper in eight games in 2000-01) recorded two solo tackles in a 37-16 setback against the New England Patriots in AFC wild-card game following 2006 season.

  • Melenik Watson (averaged 4.7 ppg and 3.3 rpg while shooting team-high 47.6% from floor for Marist in 2010-11) was starting LT for the Oakland Raiders in a 27-14 setback against the Houston Texans in wild-card game following 2016 season. Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (Clemson hooper for seven games in 2010-11 under coach Brad Brownell) caught five passes for 67 yards and one touchdown.