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

September 4th, 2023 - 10:18

Long before kneeling knuckleheads, 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 do-everything 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 hoop 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 September 4 in football at the professional level (especially in 1994):

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  • Washington Redskins LB London Fletcher (started two games for St. Francis PA as freshman in 1993-94 before transferring to John Carroll OH) had 12 tackles in a 16-7 setback against the New York Giants in 2008 season opener.

  • Minnesota Vikings DE James Harris (Temple hooper in 1988-89 under coach John Chaney) scored a touchdown on 17-yard fumble recovery return in 16-10 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1994 season opener.

  • Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88 under coach Jud Heathcote) had 14 pass receptions for 193 yards - including two second-half touchdowns from Jeff George (one for 69 yards) - in a 31-28 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1994 season opener.

  • Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw four touchdown passes - including 91-yarder to Tony Dorsett - in a 38-0 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1978 season opener.

  • New York Jets DE Marvin Washington (played in 1985 NCAA Tournament with UTEP under coach Don Haskins before averaging 2.9 ppg and 5.7 rpg for Idaho under Tim Floyd in 1987-88) had two sacks in a 23-3 season-opening win against the Buffalo Bills in 1994.