Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Former Fordham hoopers Frankie Frisch and Babe Young provided significant N.L. hitting performances for the New York Giants on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 17 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 17

• Cincinnati Reds CF Ethan Allen (Cincinnati basketball letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) accumulated four hits in an 8-7 setback against the New York Giants in the nightcap of a 1927 doubleheader.

• New York Yankees C Benny Bengough (Niagara hoops letterman from 1916-17 through 1918-19) went 3-for-3 for the second time in 17 days in 1926.

• Cleveland Indians SS Lou Boudreau (leading scorer for Illinois' 1937 Big Ten Conference co-champion) supplied four hits against the Washington Senators in a 1949 game.

• Baltimore Orioles CF Al Bumbry (Virginia State's runner-up in scoring with 16.7 ppg as freshman in 1964-65) banged out four hits against the New York Yankees in a 1984 contest.

• Chicago Cubs RHP Ray Burris (two-sport standout in Southwestern Oklahoma State Hall of Fame) won his fifth straight start in 1975.

• Arizona Diamondbacks 1B Tony Clark (San Diego State's leading scorer in WAC games in 1991-92) homered twice in back-to-back games against the Colorado Rockies in 2005.

• C Gene Desautels (hoops letterman for Holy Cross in 1929 and 1930) awarded on waivers from the Cleveland Indians to the Philadelphia Athletics in 1945.

• Houston Astros RF Cameron Drew (averaged 15.4 ppg and team-high 8.9 rpg as sophomore in 1983-84 before becoming NECC first-team selection in 1984-85 when leading New Haven CT in scoring and rebounding) collected two of his three MLB hits, including a triple, against San Francisco Giants P Rick Reuschel in a 1988 contest.

• Los Angeles Dodgers C Joe Ferguson (hooper in 1967 NCAA playoffs with Pacific) jacked two homers against the Atlanta Braves in a 1979 outing.

• Philadelphia Athletics RF Walt French (letterman for Rutgers and Army) contributed three hits in a game for the second day in a row in 1925.

• New York Giants 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) smacked a decisive homer in the 10th inning of a 5-4 decision over the Cincinnati Reds in 1926.

• Detroit Tigers 1B Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoops scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) homered in third consecutive contest, sixth out of last seven games and eighth out of last 11 outings.

• Baltimore Orioles 3B Wayne Gross (Cal Poly Pomona assists leader in 1974-75) cracked a grand slam against the New York Yankees in a 1984 contest.

• New York Giants RHP Jim Hearn (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1941-42) hurled a shutout against the Chicago Cubs in 1952.

• Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman hoops squad in 1953-54) tossed his 11th shutout of the 1963 campaign, a modern MLB record for a lefthander.

• Cleveland Indians rookie 3B Jack Kubiszyn (All-SEC first-team guard as senior averaged 18.3 ppg for Alabama from 1955-56 through 1957-58) provided a career-high three hits against the Minnesota Twins in the opener of a 1961 twinbill.

• New York Giants CF Hank Leiber (Arizona hooper in 1931) provided three extra-base hits and five RBI against the Brooklyn Dodgers in a 1936 game.

• The longest hitting streak of the 1940 season ended at 21 games when Philadelphia Phillies rookie RF Danny Litwhiler (member of JV hoops squad with Bloomsburg PA in mid-1930s) went hitless against the Cincinnati Reds.

• Philadelphia Phillies 1B Tony Lupien (Harvard hoops captain in 1938-39) went 4-for-4 against the New York Giants in the opener of a 1944 doubleheader.

• Cleveland Indians 1B Ed Morgan (Tulane hoops letterman from 1923-24 through 1925-26) manufactured four hits in back-to-back games in 1930.

• New York Yankees 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) supplied a go-ahead homer in the 11th inning of a 5-3 win against the Milwaukee Brewers in 1976.

• Chicago Cubs RF Bill Nicholson (hoops guard for Washington College MD two years in mid-1930s) went 4-for-4 with four RBI against the New York Giants in the nightcap of a 1947 twinbill.

• Detroit Tigers OF Jim Northrup (second-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder for Alma MI in 1958-59) homered in both ends of a 1971 doubleheader sweep of the Baltimore Orioles.

• Montreal Expos OF Curtis Pride (led William & Mary in steals three times and in assists twice from 1986-87 through 1989-90), born with 95% hearing disability, stroked his first MLB hit in 1993 (pinch two-run double against Philadelphia Phillies).

• Philadelphia Phillies SS Don Rader (Oregon hoops letterman in 1912) registered a career-high three hits in a game against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1921.

• Chicago Cubs 2B Wayne Terwilliger (two-year hoops letterman for Western Michigan in late 1940s) cracked a two-run homer in the seventh inning to account for decisive blow in a 3-2 triumph at Brooklyn in 1950.

• New York Yankees CF Dave Winfield (starting forward for Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) launched two homers in a 1983 game against the Cleveland Indians.

• New York Giants rookie 1B Babe Young (Fordham hoops letterman in 1935-36) knocked in five runs against the Chicago Cubs in a 1940 contest. Two years later as a CF, Young had seven RBI in 1942 outing against the Cincinnati Reds.

Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Former hoopers from three different Michigan colleges - Don Lund (Michigan), Jim Northrup (Alma) and Robin Roberts (Michigan State) - supplied significant MLB performances on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 16 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 16

• Switch-hitting C Mark Bailey (Southwest Missouri State's top basketball rebounder in 1980-81) homered from both sides of the plate as Houston Astros rookie in 1984 game against the San Diego Padres.

• Chicago Cubs 2B Glenn Beckert (three-year hoops letterman for Allegheny PA) established a dubious MLB record (subsequently tied by Todd Helton in 1998) by stranding 12 baserunners in an 18-5 victory against the New York Mets in 1972. Five years earlier, Beckert provided multiple hits for the sixth consecutive contest in 1967.

• Baltimore Orioles RF Angelo Dagres (averaged 6 ppg for Rhode Island in 1954-55) delivered a hit and scored a run in both ends of a 1955 doubleheader sweep against the Washington Senators.

• Cleveland Indians rookie RF Larry Doby (reserve guard for Virginia Union's 1943 CIAA hoops titlist) extended his hitting streak to 21 games with a first-inning grand slam against the Washington Senators in 1948.

• St. Louis Cardinals CF Taylor Douthit (California hoops letterman from 1922 through 1924), en route to amassing 84 RBI as a leadoff hitter, singled in the contest's only run against the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 10th inning in 1930.

• New York Giants 3B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) furnished four hits against the Cincinnati Reds in the opener of a 1922 doubleheader.

• Brooklyn Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) homered twice against the New York Giants in a 1955 game.

• Philadelphia Phillies CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) stroked five hits against the Florida Marlins in a 2005 contest.

• St. Louis Browns RF Don Lund (Michigan starter in 1943-44 and 1944-45) went 4-for-4 in a 3-1 triumph against the Boston Red Sox in 1948.

• St. Louis Cardinals LF Irv Noren (hooper of year for California community college state champion Pasadena City in 1945) homered in his third consecutive outing in 1958.

• Detroit Tigers RF Jim Northrup (second-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder for Alma MI in 1958-59) homered in fifth different and final contest during seven-game road trip in 1969. Five years later, Northrup was purchased from the Montreal Expos by the Baltimore Orioles in 1974.

• In 1954, Philadelphia Phillies RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) became the first N.L. hurler to reach the 20-win plateau five successive seasons since Carl Hubbell in the mid-1930s.

• New York Yankees 3B Red Rolfe (played hoops briefly with Dartmouth in 1927-28 and 1929-30) knocked in five runs against the Detroit Tigers in a 1939 game.

• RHP Dave Sisler (All-Ivy League second-team selection for Princeton's first NCAA Tournament team in 1952) traded with cash by the Washington Senators to the Cincinnati Reds for P Claude Osteen in 1961.

• New York Mets C John Stephenson (scored 1,361 points for William Carey MS in early 1960s) swatted two homers against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1965 contest.

• Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Kent Tekulve (freshman hooper for Marietta OH in mid-1960s) permitted his only earned run in final 17 relief appearances of the 1984 campaign.

• St. Louis Browns SS Bud Thomas (Central Missouri hoops letterman in late 1940s) belted his lone MLB homer (third-inning blast against Philadelphia Athletics in nightcap of 1951 doubleheader).

• Pittsburgh Pirates rookie LHP Bob Veale (scored 1,160 points from 1955-56 through 1957-58 with Benedictine KS) hurled his second shutout in an 11-day span in 1963.

• Boston Red Sox 3B Billy Werber (first Duke hoops All-American in 1929-30) whacked two homers against the Chicago White Sox in the nightcap of a 1934 twinbill.

• Philadelphia Phillies CF Cy Williams (Notre Dame forward in 1909-10) went 4-for-4 against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the nightcap of a 1924 doubleheader.

• In 1993, Minnesota Twins DH-RF Dave Winfield (starting forward with Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) singled against the Oakland A's for his 3,000th hit.

• Homering in his first of three consecutive contests in 2005, San Francisco Giants CF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) went 4-for-4 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Former NYU hoopers Ralph Branca and Hank Greenberg supplied significant MLB performances on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 14 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 14

• New York Yankees RHP Rich Beck (listed on Gonzaga's basketball roster in 1961-62) fanned eight batters and walked none while allowing one earned run in his seven-inning debut against the Washington Senators in 1965.

• St. Louis Browns RF Beau Bell (two-year hoops letterman for Texas A&M in early 1930s) banged out three extra-base hits against the Philadelphia Athletics in a 1937 contest.

• Showing no indication of 20-year-old jitters in a pennant race, Brooklyn Dodgers RHP Ralph Branca (sixth-leading scorer for NYU in 1943-44) hurled a 5-0 shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1946.

• New York Yankees rookie LF Bob Cerv (ranked fourth on Nebraska's career scoring list in 1949-50 when finishing his career) collected two homers and five RBI against the Detroit Tigers in a 1954 game. Four years later with the Kansas City Athletics, Cerv clubbed a homer in both ends of a 1958 doubleheader against the Yankees.

• Philadelphia Athletics C Mickey Cochrane (Boston University hooper in early 1920s) contributed three extra-base hits and four RBI against the St. Louis Browns in a 1932 game.

• Detroit Tigers CF Hoot Evers (Illinois hoops starter in 1939-40) provided four hits against the Washington Senators in the opener of a 1947 twinbill.

• Boston Red Sox LF Dick Gernert (Temple hoops letterman in 1948-49 when averaging 2.7 ppg) contributed seven RBI in a 13-10 win against the Cleveland Indians in 1957.

• Boston Red Sox RHP Dave Gray (hooper for Weber State in early 1960s when school was junior college) made his lone MLB start in 1964.

• Detroit Tigers LF Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoops scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) launched a homer for the fifth consecutive contest and extra-base hit for the 10th straight outing in 1940. Six years later, Greenberg contributed two homers and seven RBI in a 7-4 win against the New York Yankees.

• Pittsburgh Pirates SS Dick Groat (two-time All-American with Duke in 1950-51 and 1951-52 when finishing among nation's top five scorers each season) went 4-for-4 against the San Francisco Giants in 1962.

• Oakland Athletics 3B Wayne Gross (Cal Poly Pomona assists leader in 1974-75) smacked a pinch-hit grand slam in an 8-3 victory against the Chicago White Sox in 1979.

• Philadelphia Phillies RHP Andy Karl (Manhattan hoops letterman from 1933 through 1935) collected his sixth save the first half of the month in 1945.

• Houston Astros CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) collected three hits and three runs in his MLB debut against the Cincinnati Reds in 1991.

• St. Louis Cardinals rookie CF Bake McBride (averaged 12.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 21 games with Westminster MO in 1968-69 and 1969-70) provided his third four-hit game in a four-day span in 1974.

• St. Louis Cardinals RHP Lindy McDaniel (played for Oklahoma's 1954-55 freshman hoops squad) fanned four Cincinnati Reds batters in 2 1/3 innings but yielded his only earned run in 11 relief appearances during the month in 1960.

• In 1974, 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) homered for the New York Yankees in the first inning before brother Jim Nettles homered for the Detroit Tigers in the second. Four years later, Graig Nettles clobbered two homers against the Tigers in a 1978 outing.

• St. Louis Browns CF Ray Pepper (Alabama hoops letterman in 1926-27) provided at least four hits in a game for the fifth consecutive month in 1934.

• Brooklyn Dodgers LHP Preacher Roe (Harding AR hooper in late 1930s) improved his record to 20-2 in 1951 with a 3-1 triumph against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

• Cincinnati Reds OF Ted Tappe (leading scorer in 1949 NJCAA Tournament was Washington State's third-leading scorer following year) smacked a pinch-hit homer in his first MLB at-bat (against Brooklyn Dodgers in 1950).

• Washington Senators 2B Wayne Terwilliger (two-year hoops letterman for Western Michigan in late 1940s) went 4-for-4 against the Detroit Tigers in a 1953 contest.

• Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Bob Veale (scored 1,160 points from 1955-56 through 1957-58 with Benedictine KS), supported by Roberto Clemente's pair of homers, blanked the New York Mets, 6-0, in 1968. It was Veale's second shutout in a week.

• California Angels RF Dave Winfield (starting forward for Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) collected two homers and five RBI in a 1990 game against the Seattle Mariners.

Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Former Manhattan hoopers Buddy Hassett and Xavier Rescigno supplied significant MLB performances on this date. Ditto three ex-hoopers from small colleges in Pennsylvania - Al Downing (Muhlenberg), Frank Grube (Lafayette) and Monte Irvin (Lincoln). Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 12 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 12

• Milwaukee Braves 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) tied a MLB single-season mark in 1956 when swatting his 13th homer against a single team (Brooklyn Dodgers).

• Washington Senators OF Brant Alyea (Hofstra's leading scorer and rebounder in 1960-61 after being runner-up in both categories the previous season) debuted in 1965 with a pinch-hit homer on the first pitch to him against the California Angels.

• Detroit Tigers RHP Elden Auker (All-Big Six first-five selection with Kansas State in 1931-32) posted his second win streak of at least six games en route to leading the A.L. in winning percentage in 1935.

• Boston Braves rookie 2B Jack Dittmer (played hoops briefly for Iowa in 1949-50), entering a 1952 doubleheader hitting .182, belted a homer in both ends of the twinbill while going 5-for-8 and scoring five runs against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

• Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Al Downing (attended Muhlenberg PA on hoops scholarship but departed before ever playing) tossed a two-hit shutout against the San Francisco Giants in 1974.

• Atlanta Braves 3B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club winning 1967 state community college crown) homered twice in a 1973 game against the San Francisco Giants. The next year as a 1B, Evans homered in both ends of a 1974 doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds.

• Chicago White Sox RHP Eddie Fisher (played for Oklahoma's 1954-55 freshman hoops squad) toiled 11 innings to beat the Minnesota Twins, 2-1, in 1962.

• In 1931, Chicago White Sox rookie C Frank Grube (Lafayette starting hoops guard as senior in 1926-27) launched his lone MLB homer.

• Brooklyn Robins rookie 1B Buddy Hassett (hooper for Manhattan teams winning school-record 17 consecutive contests in 1930 and 1931) supplied a pair of doubles in both ends of a 1936 twinbill split against the St. Louis Cardinals.

• Los Angeles Dodgers RF Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) went 4-for-4 against the New York Mets in a 1964 contest. Four years later as a 1B with the Washington Senators, Howard homered twice against the Baltimore Orioles in a 1968 outing.

• Extending his hitting streak to a career-high 14 games in a row, New York Giants LF Monte Irvin (Lincoln PA hooper 1 1/2 years in late 1930s) provided three hits in each contest of a 1952 doubleheader split with the Cincinnati Reds.

• Atlanta Braves RF David Justice (Thomas More KY assists leader in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg) homered twice against the Houston Astros in a 1992 game.

• Cleveland Indians 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) drilled two homers against the New York Yankees in a 1971 contest.

• Chicago Cubs RF Bill Nicholson (hoops guard for Washington College MD two years in mid-1930s) went 4-for-4 against the Philadelphia Phillies in a 1940 outing.

• RHP Cotton Pippen (Texas Western hoops letterman in 1929-30) awarded on waivers from the Philadelphia Athletics to the Detroit Tigers in 1939.

• LHP Dennis Rasmussen (sixth-man for Creighton averaged 5.1 ppg in three seasons from 1977-78 through 1979-80) shipped by the New York Yankees to the San Diego Padres in 1983 to complete an earlier deal.

• Pittsburgh Pirates rookie RHP Xavier Rescigno (Manhattan hooper in 1932 and 1933) registered his lone MLB shutout (four-hitter against Cincinnati Reds in nightcap of 1943 doubleheader).

• Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Kent Tekulve (freshman hooper for Marietta OH in mid-1960s) tallied his seventh save in less than a month in 1976.

• Philadelphia Phillies CF Cy Williams (Notre Dame forward in 1909-10) launched two homers and triple among his four hits in a 1924 game against his original team (Chicago Cubs).

• Chicago Cubs RHP Jim Willis (Northwestern State hoops letterman in 1944-45 and from 1947-48 through 1949-50) tossed back-to-back complete-game victories in 1953.

Rather than wasting time dwelling on reprobate kneeling knucklehead NFL social scholars, ESPN's female version of Al "Not So" Sharpton, dismantling statues or cockroach hurricane looters, focus instead on college basketball having a contemplative connection to a sacred day (9/11). Oracle Corp account manager Todd Beamer, who collected 24 points and 12 rebounds as a sophomore guard for Wheaton (Ill.) in 1988-89, was traveling from New Jersey to California on United Airlines Flight 93 for a business meeting on September 11, 2001, when he was instrumental in leading a takeover by passengers from radical Islamic terrorists, forcing the plane down in Pennsylvania countryside about 80 miles southeast of Pittsburgh.

Beamer and courageous cohorts were credited with foiling hijackers bent on crashing the Boeing 757 into a second target in Washington, D.C., possibly the Capitol or the White House. Beamer recited the 23rd Psalm with a GTE/Verizon supervisor over the plane's in-flight telephone before getting her via a gut-wrenching promise she would call his family. "I don't think we're going to get out of this thing," he told her. "I'm going to have to go out on faith." The phone line was still open when the operator heard him say following a gut-wrenching passenger vote: "Are you guys ready? Let's roll."

Beamer's bravery is a stark contrast to the Washington waffling exhibited by vacation-obsessed Congressmen, who still have not held sufficient number of the human debris in Libya and in U.S. accountable for additional 9/11 terrorism in Libya several years ago. Will they interview State Department stooges involved in silencing contractors? And now we're supposed to trust them amid the Syria and Iranian shenanigans. The stonewalling Obama Administration featuring #DirtyRice as unmasked panties-ta propagandist - either grossly incompetent or purposefully in "crude and disgusting" fraud - dealt with a terrorist assault on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi by shamelessly standing in front of caskets at an airport hangar (plus the White House press corps, the U.N. and national politically-oriented shows such as Meet the Depressed) offering an orchestrated al-Qaeda on-the-run narrative claiming the nondescript video was responsible for the murder of the American ambassador and three other Americans. Their most despicable act was regurgitating the same outrageous ruse face-to-face to grieving family members.

How authentic or outright evil were those narcissistic embraces from Big Balls Biden and fellow fatal finaglers? Any miserable individual who irrationally emphasized a movie lie in one-on-one conversations with mourners doesn't possess the dignity worthy of setting foot on White House grounds with a pooper scooper. Did you watch the disgusting displays by top State Department officials trying to deflect criticism during Congressional testimony concerning Benghazi? Their warped accountability equivalency for four murders was four relatively brief employee reassignments.

Incredibly, a Navy SEAL among the deceased violated stand-down orders to help save numerous individuals at the death-trap embassy and then fought the terrorists for 7 1/2 hours while his pleas for backup at a nearby annex were ignored by government officials real-time watching events unfold. Weeks and months later, the evasive apologist-in-chief and cowardly cronies were still striving to supply a cogent response to their deflect-and-deny sacrificial-lamb inaction all for the sake of propping up progressive policies.

Where's a photograph of the vaunted Obama Team deliberating at least 7 1/2 minutes or even 7 1/2 seconds during the Benghazi attack? Was Mr. Teleprompter even there at all to provide any input possibly "sending in the cavalry"? Bracing for a cross-country campaign trip, did malingerer "That's Not What We Do" go to bed while brave Americans were savaged or is it indeed "an irrelevant fact" less important than raising funds in Las Vegas? If not, then be transparent enough to at least conduct a stand-up, man-up press conference detailing what you did do during the "acting stupidly" stand-down. The Sgt. Schultz "I know nothing!" ploy simply isn't very becoming. Odds are he was tone deaf comparable to conducting five-year anniversary bank-default debacle of an event during the Navy Yard massacre in Building 197. If you can't be out campaigning to raise $197,000 or $197 million, then at least try to raise 197 political points.

Portraying the murderous attack in Benghazi, Libya, as if it occurred in the same war as the Battle of the Bulge, it might have been old news to "stylistic" Out House spokesperson Jay Blarney while the ex-TIME magazine Washington chief did his best zero-credibility imitation of Joseph Goebbels with a "hope and change (the topic)" routine hiding behind a phony scandal. But a classic example of the blame game and absence of accountability occurred when the feds were more concerned with detaining some obscure producer of an anti-Islamic film making light of the prophet Mohammed and DOJ threatened undercover FBI informant with jail regarding uranium collusion scandal. At least the dereliction-of-duty dunderheads didn't pull out the workplace-violence or man-made disaster card again during this convenient-truth process.

Infected by pop culture, reality shows, Al Bore's global-warming hoax and thrills going up noxious newscasters legs, the average shallow American dwells on Confederate statues, Angelina Jolie's mammary glands, the Kardashians' cans, #ShrillaryRotten's incessant excuses, Melania's stilettos, forlorn Amanda Knox's knife collection, Hollyweird and Gitmo hunger strikers but can't spell Benghazi or even know which continent it's located. When not exploiting children as human shields for an assortment of altruistic motives, our previous POTUS didn't mind hiding behind Her Thighness' pants suit via a YouTube film fabrication as her State Department lawyer told witnesses not to speak to House investigators. If you had a family member in dire straits pleading for assistance, would you rather summon support from brave Barry, Shrillary's truly deplorable hubris or Tyrone Woods?

The major TV networks and two principal liberal rags (New York Slimes and Washington Compost) refused to give coverage to a Fox News report acknowledging the Obama Administration denied aid multiple times to Americans attacked and murdered by terrorists in Benghazi on September 11 of all days. If they withheld evidence (such as emails from the National Security Advisor's office telling a counter-terrorism unit to stand down), they're as corrupt in a cover-up as the administration's self-righteous Siskel & Ebert wannabees more concerned with monitoring content of "Bible-clinger" prayers, doctoring talking points, collective salvation promotion and muzzling Benghazi survivors (forced to sign non-disclosure agreements) than transparency with the public.

Why didn't the lapdog media do its job and press the Benghazi issue providing accountable answers to the many questions accruing about what precisely occurred in the Celebrity-in-Chief's chamber? Why does the vast majority of establishment media remain so disinterested in pursuing the litany of "jaw-dropping" misstatements and dissembling regarding what was known before and after the Benghazi horror?

What really happened during #ShrillaryRotten's sordid State Department regime? In an effort to help the buffoonish media shine the light of truth on the Benghazi bungling and scrubbed-a-dozen-times talking points, following are basic "who/what/when/why/where" questions for which the public still deserves answers via the president's acolytes:
* Who changed the original talking points and concocted "the (fanciful) spontaneous reaction" to a YouTube video explanation for the attack (framed before the final two deaths) and did the same individual help orchestrate a coordinated response at various venues in the days and weeks immediately following said attack?
* What portion of the entire 7 1/2 hours of the attack did POTUS himself spend in the Situation Room and was he directly involved with multiple "stand-down" orders while the attacks were in place? Perhaps he was too busy playing Spades again with body man Reggie Love.
* When precisely did POTUS and/or his national security staff first become aware that an attack was underway at the Benghazi compound? What happened at WH meeting with "key national security principals" the day before the attack?
* Why was the Obama Administration's response so lax despite an unmanned drone providing real-time live video feed of the scene?
* Where is evidence of the "Betray Us" administration's responses to repeated pleas to strengthen security for Americans in Libya, not only from the State Department security chief and man on the ground in charge of security, but from the ambassador?

Did previous POTUS and his administration, amid their color-coordinated red line and yellow streak, do everything humanly possible before and during the attack to protect and help these heroes? The Drone Ranger could also have been asked what did give-me-a-break trusted "comrade" Clinton mean when the former Secretary of State callously said during testimony: "What difference does it make?" Insofar as she wasn't interviewed by the less-than-thorough accountability review board, the difference could be a little honesty with the country's citizens vs. cover-up deception with much of the misguided media serving as corrupt accomplices. In a twisted version of Obama "care," the #MessMedia seemed as careless in unearthing authentic autopsy results for a virtually defenseless Ambassador Stevens as the administration was in resolutely rendering justice to the incorrigible Islamic perpetrators.

The "buck" couldn't find any place to stop at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue during Obama's reign. Amid trying to discern his State Department protocol during an attack, there was a preposterous assertion from Defense Secretary Leon Panetta that "assets couldn't get there (Benghazi) in time." Did pandering Panetta also commiserate with an omniscient Eleanor regarding upper-brass orders to save Americans? How did he know with such authority the length of "time" the siege would take as they fought for their lives? Maybe he was too busy on other travel-time matters planning his next cross-country commute home to California at tax-payer expense on military jets. Did this leech-filled leadership just cut their losses and "run" (let them die) rather than risk additional casualties?

The mangy media seems to serve as little more than the Praetorian Guard for liberal lunacy smearing whistle-blowers crestfallen over the "abandoned" murders of innocent colleagues. Clinton's credibility should be in shambles, but the press pays lip service to taking her to task, allowing #QueenofDenial to weigh in with alleged expertise on Syria on the anniversary of the Benghazi bungling. But if you've got a moral compass at all on 9/11, ignore the hypocrites and invest your time, emotion, energy and devotion elsewhere. It's a time to "roll" with the families of Beamer and his courageous cohorts; not shill for Shrillary and her contemptible "what-difference-does-it-make" cowardice. Do you aspire to affiliate with #MAGA "shining city on a hill" or unmask the "it-takes-a-village-idiot" crowd promoting climate-change crap after couple of hurricanes?

Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Two former hoopers from Kentucky small colleges - Sweet Lou Johnson (Kentucky State) and David Justice (Thomas More) - made hitting headlines as N.L. outfielders on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 9 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 9

• Chicago Cubs 1B Larry Biittner (runner-up in basketball scoring and rebounding in 1966-67 for Buena Vista IA) stroked four hits in a 15-2 romp over the Philadelphia Phillies in 1979.

• Pittsburgh Pirates RF Dan Costello (Mount St. Mary's hooper from 1910-11 through 1913-14) went 3-for-3 against the Chicago Cubs in a 1914 game.

• SS Alvin Dark (hoops letterman for LSU and USL during World War II) accounted for all of the New York Giants' offense with two homers in a 2-0 victory against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1950 as teammate Sal Maglie hurled a MLB-tying fourth straight shutout.

• Los Angeles Dodgers RF Joe Ferguson (hooper in 1967 NCAA playoffs for Pacific) launched a three-run homer, which was the game-winning hit in a 5-3 win against the San Diego Padres in 1973.

• Brooklyn Robins 2B Jake Flowers (member of Washington College MD "Flying Pentagon" hoops squad in 1923) knocked in the winning run in the ninth inning in a 3-2 victory against the New York Giants in 1928.

• Chicago Cubs 3B Howard Freigau (Ohio Wesleyan hooper) supplied four safeties, including three extra-base hits, in a 9-7 triumph against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1925.

• LHP Steve Hamilton (Morehead State's leading scorer and rebounder in 1956-57 and 1957-58) awarded on waivers from the New York Yankees to the Chicago White Sox in 1970.

• In 1964, Los Angeles Dodgers 1B-OF Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) hammered his eighth homer in 20 at-bats against San Francisco Giants P Bob Hendley, including four in a row the previous year (not in same game).

• RHP Bobby Humphreys (four-year hoops letterman graduated from Hampden-Sydney VA in 1958) won his second game in relief in four days to help the St. Louis Cardinals advance toward the 1964 N.L. pennant.

• Atlanta Braves RF David Justice (Thomas More KY assists leader in 1984-85) amassed two homers and five RBI against the San Francisco Giants in a 1991 contest.

• In 1965, Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman hoops squad in 1953-54) hurled his fourth no-hitter in as many years. It was a perfect game against the Chicago Cubs, who yielded a lone safety but incurred their second one-hit setback this season against L.A. LF "Sweet" Lou Johnson (Kentucky State teammate of legendary HBCU coach Davey Whitney averaged 5.7 ppg and 2 rpg in 1951-52) secured the game's only hit and scored the lone run.

• Minnesota Twins rookie RF Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) homered in his fourth consecutive contest in 1968.

• INF Tim Nordbrook (Loyola LA hoops letterman in 1968-69) purchased from the Baltimore Orioles by the California Angels in 1976.

• RHP John Stuper (two-time all-conference junior college hooper in mid-1970s for Butler County PA) traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Cincinnati Reds in 1984.

• Detroit Tigers 2B Gary Sutherland (averaged 7.4 ppg with USC in 1963-64) provided four hits against the New York Yankees in a 1975 outing.

• Chicago White Sox RF Evar Swanson (played all five positions for Knox IL) went 4-for-4 against the Washington Senators in the opener of a 1934 doubleheader.

• Detroit Tigers rookie SS Coot Veal (averaged team-high 10.9 ppg as Auburn sophomore in 1951-52 before transferring to Mercer) scored three runs in the first of five two-hit outings in a seven-game span in 1958.

• Kansas City Athletics 1B-OF Preston Ward (second-leading scorer for Southwest Missouri State in 1946-47 and 1948-49) walloped three homers in a row against the Baltimore Orioles in a 1958 game.

• Philadelphia Phillies RF Cy Williams (Notre Dame forward in 1909-10) whacked homers in his first two at-bats but they weren't enough to prevent a 12-6 reversal against the Brooklyn Robins in 1926.

• New York Giants 1B Babe Young (Fordham hoops letterman in 1935-36) blasted two homers in a 1941 contest against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Four former Big Ten Conference hoopers - Sammy Esposito (Indiana), Hoot Evers (Illinois), Johnny Gee (Michigan) and Dave Winfield (Minnesota) - made MLB news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 7 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 7

• Igniting a streak of nine consecutive contests with at least one RBI, LF Brant Alyea (Hofstra's leading basketball scorer and rebounder in 1960-61 after being runner-up in both categories previous season) drove in all of the Minnesota Twins' runs with two homers in a 7-6 win against the Milwaukee Brewers in the opener of a 1970 doubleheader.

• Seattle Mariners LF Bruce Bochte (starting forward for Santa Clara's NCAA playoff team in 1969-70 averaged 7.4 ppg and 4 rpg) went 4-for-4 in a 5-2 victory against the Kansas City Royals in 1982.

• Baltimore Orioles LF Al Bumbry (Virginia State's runner-up in scoring with 16.7 ppg as freshman in 1964-65) stroked four hits against the Cleveland Indians in a 1981 game.

• Detroit Tigers C Mickey Cochrane (Boston University hooper in early 1920s) went 6-for-7 and scored five runs in a 1935 doubleheader sweep of his original team (Philadelphia Athletics).

• Ending a personal six-game losing streak, Philadelphia Phillies RHP Gene Conley (All-PCC first-team selection led North Division in scoring in 1949-50 as Washington State sophomore) hurled a four-hit shutout against the Chicago Cubs in 1960.

• Cleveland Indians CF Larry Doby (reserve guard for Virginia Union's 1943 CIAA hoops titlist) supplied a pair of homers in a 6-0 verdict over the Baltimore Orioles in 1955.

• Sammy Esposito (averaged 7 ppg as Indiana hoops starter in 1951-52) started in place of Chicago White Sox 2B Nellie Fox in 1960, ending Fox's consecutive-game streak at 798.

• Detroit Tigers LF Hoot Evers (hoops starter for Illinois in 1939-40) went for the cycle, adding another triple, and amassing six RBI in a 13-13, 10-inning tie with the Cleveland Indians in 1950.

• New York Giants 3B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) furnished six hits in a 1921 doubleheader sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies.

• Rookie LHP Johnny Gee (Michigan captain was Big Ten Conference's sixth-leading scorer in 1936-37) didn't allow an earned run in eight innings in his MLB debut but committed one of eight errors by the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 7-3 setback against the Philadelphia Phillies in the opener of a 1939 twinbill.

• Detroit Tigers 1B Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoops scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) collected three extra-base hits, including two homers, against the Cleveland Indians in a 1939 contest.

• New York Giants RHP Jim Hearn (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1941-42) had a 12-game winning streak against the Pittsburgh Pirates snapped in 1953.

• Los Angeles Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City in 1947 and 1948) homered twice against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1958 outing.

• New York Giants LF Monte Irvin (Lincoln PA hooper 1 1/2 years in late 1930s) ripped a 500-foot homer in a 7-3 nod over the Boston Braves in 1951.

• Kansas City Royals RF Lynn Jones (averaged 10.4 ppg for Thiel PA from 1970-71 through 1973-74) contributed his fourth three-hit game in less than a month in 1984.

• Minnesota Twins rookie RF Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) smacked two homers against the Detroit Tigers in 1968. Six years later as a New York Yankees 3B, Nettles homered in both ends of a 1974 doubleheader against the Tigers. In 1981, whacked two round-trippers for the Yanks in a contest against the Milwaukee Brewers.

• Detroit Tigers RF Jim Northrup (second-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder for Alma MI in 1958-59) went 5-for-5 with two homers in a 3-2, 11-inning victory against the Washington Senators in 1971.

• St. Louis Browns RHP Jim Park (hooper for Kentucky in 1911-12 and 1913-14) won his MLB debut in 1915 when he didn't allow an earned run in 11 innings of a 4-1 win against the Cleveland Indians.

• New York Giants rookie RHP Roy Parmelee (Eastern Michigan hoops letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) hurled his second straight four-hit, complete-game triumph in 1931.

• Brooklyn Dodgers LHP Preacher Roe (Harding AR hooper in late 1930s) walked six Philadelphia Phillies batters but raised his record to 19-2 in 1951 with an 11-6 decision over RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47).

• LHP Garry Roggenburk (led Dayton in scoring all three seasons from 1959-60 through 1961-62 and grabbed school-record 32 rebounds in third varsity game en route to pacing Flyers in rebounding first two years) purchased from the Minnesota Twins by the Boston Red Sox in 1966.

• Philadelphia Phillies CF Cy Williams (Notre Dame forward in 1909-10) homered in both ends of a 1921 twinbill against the New York Giants.

• New York Yankees RF Dave Winfield (starting forward with Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) got hung up in a rundown between third base and home plate following a pitchout but escaped to score the decisive run in a 3-2 triumph against the Oakland A's in 1985.

• New York Giants 1B Babe Young (Fordham hoops letterman in 1935-36) blasted a grand slam in a 4-1 victory against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1940.

• San Diego Padres RHP Chris Young (All-Ivy League first-team selection for Princeton in 1999-00) retired the first 23 Milwaukee Brewers batters en route to a two-hitter in 2008. It was Young's lone MLB complete game.

Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Several former hoopers from North Carolina colleges - Vince Colbert (East Carolina), Dick Groat (Duke) and Don Padgett (Lenoir-Rhyne) - made MLB news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 6 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 6

• RHP Andy Benes (briefly played basketball for Evansville in 1985-86) defeated his brother, Alan, when the St. Louis Cardinals erupted for 11 third-inning runs in an 11-2 nod over the Chicago Cubs in 2002.

• Pittsburgh Pirates LF Carson "Skeeter" Bigbee (Oregon hoops letterman in 1915) collected four hits and four runs against the Chicago Cubs in a 1919 game.

• Philadelphia Athletics C Mickey Cochrane (Boston University hooper in early 1920s) clobbered a two-run homer in the 10th inning in a 3-1 verdict over the Boston Red Sox, giving Lefty Grove his 25th triumph in 1930.

• RHP Vince Colbert (averaged 14.3 ppg and 7.3 rpg for East Carolina in 1966-67 and 1967-68) didn't allow a run in eight innings of a 1-0 triumph against the Baltimore Orioles in the nightcap of a doubleheader. Colbert supplied two complete-game victories the remainder of the month to finish as the Cleveland Indians' only winning hurler (7-6) with 10 or more starts in 1971.

• Los Angeles Dodgers C Joe Ferguson (hooper in 1967 NCAA playoffs with Pacific) provided three extra-base hits and four RBI against the San Francisco Giants in a 1978 contest.

• Pittsburgh Pirates SS Dick Groat (two-time All-American with Duke in 1950-51 and 1951-52 when finishing among nation's top five scorers each season) suffered a broken wrist in 1960.

• Oakland Athletics 3B Wayne Gross (Cal Poly Pomona assists leader in 1974-75) whacked two homers against the Chicago White Sox in a 1983 game.

• Washington Senators 1B Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) hammered two homers among his five hits against the Detroit Tigers in a 1970 contest.

• New York Yankees LF Charlie Keller (Maryland hoops letterman from 1934-35 through 1936-37) knocked in five runs against the Detroit Tigers in the opener of a 1945 twinbill.

• Chicago White Sox RHP Ted Lyons (two-time All-SWC first-team selection for Baylor in early 1920s) knocked in the decisive run with a triple as he reached the 20-win plateau in 1930 with a 2-1 decision over the Cleveland Indians, snapping Wes Ferrell's 13-game winning streak.

• New York Giants RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) fanned 14 Brooklyn batters in a 6-2 triumph in 1906.

• Gene Michael (Kent State's leading scorer with 14 ppg in 1957-58) fired as New York Yankees manager in 1981 despite winning the first-half pennant.

• Minnesota Twins 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) whacked his first MLB homer in 1968. The round-tripper came off 31-game winner Denny McLain of the Detroit Tigers.

• Chicago Cubs RF Bill Nicholson (hoops guard for Washington College MD two years in mid-1930s) belted two homers against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 1947 game.

• St. Louis Cardinals rookie RF Don Padgett (freshman in 1934 with Lenoir-Rhyne NC excelled in multiple sports) went 4-for-4 against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the nightcap of a 1937 twinbill to trigger a 12-game hitting streak.

• In the midst of closing out the 1952 campaign with eight consecutive complete-game wins, Philadelphia Phillies RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) went the distance in a 17-inning, 7-6 victory against the Boston Braves in 1952.

• In 1948, Boston Braves Hall of Fame LHP Warren Spahn twice picked off Brooklyn Dodgers INF Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41).

• Brooklyn Dodgers LHP Preacher Roe (Harding AR hooper in late 1930s) won his 10th straight decision in 1953.

• Bill Virdon (Drury MO hooper in 1949) fired as Pittsburgh Pirates manager in 1973. Virdon is replaced by Danny Murtaugh, who assumed control of the club for the fourth and final time.

• Philadelphia Phillies CF Cy Williams (Notre Dame forward in 1909-10) went 5-for-5 and scored four runs against the New York Giants in the nightcap of a 1924 doubleheader.

Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Several former hoopers from Big Apple universities - Hank Greenberg (NYU), Andy Karl (Manhattan) and Marius Russo (LIU) - made MLB news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 4 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 4

• Los Angeles Angels 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) cracked two homers against the Baltimore Orioles in a 1964 game.

• Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Jim Bibby (Fayetteville State NC backup hooper and brother of UCLA All-American Henry Bibby) fired a three-hit shutout against the New York Mets in the nightcap of a 1978 twinbill.

• Philadelphia Athletics LF Lyle Bigbee (hoops letterman with his brother for Oregon in 1915) smacked his lone MLB homer.

• Boston Red Sox C Gene Desautels (Holy Cross hoops letterman in 1929 and 1930) went 4-for-4 against the Philadelphia Athletics in the opener of a 1938 doubleheader.

• Detroit Tigers rookie 1B Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoops scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) collected five RBI against the Chicago White Sox in a 1933 contest.

• Chicago White Sox rookie RHP Paul Gregory (Mississippi State hoops letterman in 1929-30) didn't allow an earned run in a complete-game, 5-1 win against the St. Louis Browns in the nightcap of a 1932 twinbill.

• The Boston Braves started a streak of nine consecutive doubleheaders in 1928 by losing the opener, 3-2, to Brooklyn on a 10th-inning homer by 2B Jake Flowers (hooper for Washington College MD "Flying Pentagon" squad in 1923).

• San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) went 4-for-4 against the Philadelphia Phillies in a 1996 game.

• RHP Jim Hearn (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1941-42) and New York Giants teammate Sal Maglie each hurled a shutout in a 1950 twinbill against the Philadelphia Phillies.

• RHP Andy Karl (Manhattan hoops letterman in mid-1930s) traded by the Philadelphia Phillies to the Chicago Cubs in 1943. Karl refused to report to his new team the following spring.

• 1B Jack Phillips (leading scorer for 14-1 Clarkson NY in 1942-43) traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Chicago White Sox in 1954.

• St. Louis Cardinals rookie C Dave Ricketts (three-year starter led Duquesne in scoring senior season with 17.9 ppg in 1956-57) ripped his lone MLB homer (against Pittsburgh Pirates in opener of 1967 doubleheader).

• New York Yankees rookie LHP Marius Russo (member of LIU teams compiling 50-2 record in 1934-35 and 1935-36 under legendary coach Clair Bee) hurled his second shutout in less than three weeks in 1939.

• Kansas City Royals LHP Paul Splittorff (runner-up in scoring and rebounding for Morningside IA in 1967-68) twirled the second of back-to-back shutouts in 1975.

• Philadelphia Athletics 3B Billy Werber (first Duke hoops All-American in 1929-30) banged out three hits in both ends of a 1937 twinbill against the Boston Red Sox.

• Brooklyn Dodgers LHP Frank Wurm (acknowledged as best hooper for Middlebury VT in 1945-46) walked five batters in 1/3 of an inning in his lone MLB appearance and start (against Boston Braves in nightcap of 1944 doubleheader).

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 in September football at the professional level:

SEPTEMBER

2: Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (basketball starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes from Ron Jaworski in a 23-17 win against the New York Giants in 1979. . . . Washington Redskins TE Jean Fugett (leading scorer and rebounder for Amherst MA as junior in 1970-71) caught two touchdown passes from Joe Theismann in a 29-27 setback against the Houston Oilers in 1979 season opener.

3: Cleveland Browns rookie HB Ara Parseghian (Miami of Ohio hooper in 1946-47 and 1947-48) caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) in a 19-14 win against the Los Angeles Dons in 1948. . . . Cleveland Browns WR Reggie Rucker (averaged 6.8 ppg and 3.8 rpg for Boston University in 1966-67) registered three pass receptions for 113 yards in a 24-7 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1978.

4: 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. . . . Minnesota Vikings DE James Harris (Temple hooper in 1988-89 under coach John Chaney) scored a touchdown on a 17-yard fumble recovery return in a 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) had 14 pass receptions for 193 yards - including two second-half touchdowns from Jeff George (one a 69-yarder) - in a 31-28 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1994. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw four touchdown passes - including a 91-yarder to Tony Dorsett - in a 38-0 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1978 season opener.

5: Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw four touchdown passes - three of them in fourth quarter - in a 28-28 tie against the Buffalo Bills in 1949. . . . Baltimore Colts B John North (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1943) caught an 80-yard touchdown pass from Y.A. Tittle in a 45-28 win against the New York Yankees in 1948. . . . Buffalo Bills QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) had two third-quarter rushing touchdowns in a 28-28 tie against the Cleveland Browns in 1949. . . . In his NFL debut, Cincinnati Bengals WR Patrick Robinson (starting guard for Tennessee State in 1990-91 when averaging 6.7 ppg and 2.9 apg) returned five punts for 70 yards and three kickoffs for 74 yards in a 27-14 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1993. Robinson finished his rookie campaign with a league-high 43 punt returns. . . . Denver Broncos TE Julius Thomas (averaged 6.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg while shooting 66.3% from floor with Portland State from 2006-07 through 2009-10) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes from Peyton Manning in a 49-27 win against the Baltimore Ravens in 2013.

6: Minnesota Vikings QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw four touchdown passes in a 31-7 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1998.

7: New England Patriots LB Don Blackmon (collected 42 points and 32 rebounds in 12 games for Tulsa in 1977-78) registered three sacks in a 33-3 win against the Indianapolis Colts in 1986. . . . Miami Dolphins rookie WR Chris Chambers (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes (57 and 21 yards) in a 21-20 setback against the Houston Texans in 2003. . . . Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw four touchdown passes - including 81-yarder to Frank Jackson - in a 59-7 win against the Denver Broncos in 1963. . . . TE Demetrius Harris (led Milwaukee in FG% and rebounding as senior in 2012-13) opened the Kansas City Chiefs' scoring with a touchdown reception from Alex Smith in 42-27 win against the defending champion New England Patriots in 2017 season opener. . . . WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven hoop games for Clemson in 2010-11) opened the Houston Texans' scoring with a 76-yard touchdown catch in 17-6 win against the Washington Redskins in 2014 season opener. . . . Minnesota Vikings QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 27-24 win against the Chicago Bears in 1997. . . . San Francisco 49ers DB Ronnie Lott (USC hooper as junior in 1979-80) had two interceptions in a 31-7 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1986. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 361 yards - including three first-half touchdowns - in a 38-3 win against the St. Louis Rams in 2008. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught seven passes for 181 yards in a 24-13 win against the Houston Oilers in 1963. . . . Denver Broncos TE Gene Prebola (Boston University hooper in 1957-58) had a career-high seven pass receptions in a 30-21 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1962. . . . Denver Broncos TE Julius Thomas (averaged 6.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg while shooting 66.3% from floor with Portland State from 2006-07 through 2009-10) caught three second-quarter touchdown passes from Peyton Manning in a 31-24 win against the Indianapolis Colts in 2014.

8: New England Patriots LB Don Blackmon (collected 42 points and 32 rebounds in 12 games for Tulsa in 1977-78) registered three sacks in a 26-20 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1985. . . . Cleveland Browns TE Jordan Cameron (redshirt freshman forward for BYU in 2006-07 before playing briefly for Southern California in 2008-09 under coach Tim Floyd) had nine pass receptions for 108 yards in a 23-10 setback against the Miami Dolphins in 2013. . . . Oakland Raiders TE Rickey Dudley (averaged 13.3 ppg and 7.5 rpg as senior in 1994-95 when leading Ohio State in rebounding and finishing third in scoring) caught two third-quarter touchdown passes from Jeff George in a 28-27 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1997. . . . Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's leading scorer with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught seven passes for 154 yards in an 18-17 setback against the New York Jets in 2013. . . . Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 26-20 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 2002. The next year, Johnson threw two second-half TD passes in a 17-0 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2003. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw three first-half touchdown passes in a 27-24 setback against the Tennessee Titans in 2002. . . . Kansas City Chiefs WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) had eight pass receptions for 162 yards in a 28-27 win against the Oakland Raiders in 1997. . . . In 1985 season opener, Oakland Raiders LB Brad Van Pelt (averaged 4.5 ppg and 2.9 rpg while shooting 61.7% from floor as Michigan State sophomore in 1970-71) had two sacks in a 31-0 win against the New York Jets. . . . In pro debut, New England Patriots WR Derwin Williams (New Mexico hooper in 1979-80) had NFL-career highs with five pass receptions and 94 receiving yards in a 26-20 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1985.

9: Kansas City Chiefs LB Bobby Bell (first African-American hooper for Minnesota in 1960-61) provided the game's decisive touchdown by returning an interception 32 yards in a 25-20 win against the Houston Oilers in 1967. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Ronald Curry (averaged 4.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg and 3 apg for North Carolina in 1998-99 and 2000-01) caught 10 passes for 133 yards in a 36-21 setback against the Detroit Lions in 2007. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught nine passes for 107 yards in a 14-3 win against the Chicago Bears in 2007. . . . Houston Oilers WR Bill Groman (led Heidelberg OH in scoring average as sophomore and junior while averaging 14.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg from 1954-55 through 1957-58) caught two touchdown passes from George Blanda in a 55-0 win against the Oakland Raiders in 1961 AFL season opener. . . . In 1968 season opener, Kansas City Chiefs DT Ernie Ladd (intended on only playing hoops for Grambling before legendary coach Eddie Robinson got him to play football) intercepted a pass in a 26-21 win against the Houston Oilers. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 312 yards - including two fourth-quarter touchdowns - in a 20-17 setback against the St. Louis Rams in 2001. . . . Houston Oilers rookie CB Zeke Moore (Lincoln MO hoops letterman in mid-1960s) returned a kickoff 43 yards in a 25-20 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in his pro debut in 1967. . . . Dallas Cowboys WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two second-half touchdown passes from Tony Romo in a 45-35 win against the New York Giants in 2007. . . . New York Titans WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught five passes for 175 yards - including two touchdowns from Lee Grosscup (80 and 64 yards) - in a 28-17 win against the Oakland Raiders in 1962. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antwaan Randle El (member of Indiana's 1999 NCAA Tournament team) had five pass receptions for 162 yards in a 16-13 win against the Miami Dolphins in 2007. . . . Cleveland Browns WR Reggie Rucker (averaged 6.8 ppg and 3.8 rpg for Boston University in 1966-67) caught two touchdown passes from Brian Sipe in a 27-24 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1979. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 21-13 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1979. . . . Los Angeles Dons rookie E Dick Wilkins (leading scorer for Oregon's all-time winningest team in 1944-45) caught a touchdown pass in each of his first two games in 1949.

10: Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught nine passes for 127 yards in a 14-10 setback against the Atlanta Falcons in 1979. . . . Buffalo Bills LB London Fletcher (started two games for St. Francis PA as freshman in 1993-94 before transferring to John Carroll OH) scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery in a 19-17 setback against the New England Patriots in 2006. . . . Los Angeles Dons rookie WR Len Ford (center for Morgan State's CIAA hoops titlist in 1944) opened the game's scoring with a 27-yard touchdown catch in a 17-7 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1948. . . . Washington Redskins TE Jean Fugett (leading scorer and rebounder for Amherst MA as junior in 1970-71) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes from Joe Theismann in a 35-30 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1978. . . . Buffalo Bills TE Reuben Gant (averaged 1.4 ppg and 1.5 rpg for Oklahoma State in 1971-72 and 1972-73) caught six passes for 100 yards in a 21-20 setback against the New York Jets in 1978. . . . Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught 10 passes in a 23-10 setback against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2006. . . . Atlanta Falcons CB Rolland Lawrence (captain of Tabor KS hoops squad as senior in 1972-73) returned an interception 44 yards in a 10-0 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1978. . . . San Francisco 49ers DB Ronnie Lott (USC hooper as junior in 1979-80) had two interceptions in a 13-12 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1990. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 314 yards and three touchdowns in a 24-10 win against the Houston Texans in 2006. . . . Buffalo Bills WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Jack Kemp (24 and 27 yards) in a 20-17 win against the New York Jets in 1967. . . . Chicago Cardinals TB Jack Robbins (repeated as All-SWC first-team selection in 1938 for Arkansas) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes (46 and 30 yards) in a 21-13 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1939. . . . Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught two touchdown passes from Brian Griese in a 42-14 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 2000. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 34-24 win against the New York Giants in 1978. . . . New York Jets SS Shafer Suggs (averaged 10.7 ppg and 7.9 rpg in three-year career, setting Ball State record with nine consecutive field goals without miss and leading Cardinals in rebounding in 1974-75) returned an interception 32 yards in a 21-20 win against the Buffalo Bills in 1978. . . . In 1961 season opener, Denver Broncos SE Lionel Taylor (led New Mexico Highlands in scoring average with 13.6 ppg in 1955-56 and 20.3 in 1956-57) had seven pass receptions for 132 yards - including two touchdowns - in a 22-10 win against the Buffalo Bills.

11: Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught nine passes for 108 yards in a 23-13 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1983. . . . Houston Oilers TE John Carson (Georgia hoops letterman in 1952 and 1953) caught two second-half touchdown passes from George Blanda in a 37-22 win against the Oakland Raiders in 1960. . . . Houston Texans WR Jacoby Jones (part-time starter averaged 3.4 ppg and 3.7 rpg for Lane TN in 2004-05 and 2005-06) returned a punt 79 yards for touchdown in 34-7 win against the Indianapolis Colts in 2011. . . . Buffalo Bills TE Vince Marrow (averaged 7.4 ppg and 2.9 rpg for Youngstown State in 1988-89) had four pass receptions in a 38-35 win against the New England Patriots in 1994. . . . Detroit Lions TE Ulysses Norris (Georgia hooper in 1975-76) caught two touchdown passes in a 31-26 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1983. . . . Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) had 12 pass receptions - including two touchdowns from Jeff George - in a 31-13 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1994. . . . Detroit Lions DE Reggie Rogers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.9 rpg for Washington from 1982-83 through 1984-85) registered a sack in a 17-10 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1988. . . . Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins (averaged 1.1 ppg and 2.1 rpg as Washington freshman in 2011-12) caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from Jameis Winston in 2016 season-opening 31-24 win against the Atlanta Falcons. . . . Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) returned a fumble recovery 85 yards for a touchdown in a 34-10 win against the Denver Broncos in 2005.

12: New York Giants DB Percy Ellsworth (appeared in all four of Virginia's NCAA tourney contests for 1995 Midwest Regional finalist) provided two interceptions in a 17-13 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1999. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught eight passes for 123 yards in a 27-20 win against the Houston Texans in 2004. . . . Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 42-13 win against the Buffalo Bills in 1948. . . . Baltimore Ravens TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) had nine pass receptions in a 20-3 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 2004. . . . Seattle Seahawks TE Ron Howard (averaged 9.2 ppg and 6.5 rpg for Seattle from 1971-72 through 1973-74) had a career-high seven pass receptions in a 30-24 setback against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1976. . . . New York Giants' Dave Jennings (forward averaged 5.9 ppg for St. Lawrence NY in 1972-73 and 1973-74) punted seven times for 48.9-yard average in 19-17 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1976. Six years later in another season opener, Jennings punted six times for 53-yard average in 16-14 setback against the Atlanta Falcons in 1982. . . . Washington Redskins QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw for 382 yards in a 41-35 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1999. . . . Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 19-17 win against the New York Giants in 1976. . . . Cleveland Rams DB Bill Lund (Case Western OH hooper) returned an interception 28 yards for a touchdown in a 55-7 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. . . . QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) completed 26-of-36 passes for 330 yards and four touchdowns - three of them to Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) in his Philadelpia Eagles debut - in a 31-17 win against the New York Giants in 2004. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) had two touchdown catches in a 37-10 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1965. . . . Cleveland Browns WR Reggie Rucker (averaged 6.8 ppg and 3.8 rpg for Boston University in 1966-67) caught three touchdown passes in a 38-17 win against the New York Jets in 1976.

13: HB Bob Davis (Kentucky hoops letterman in 1937 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) opened the Philadelphia Eagles' scoring with a rushing touchdown en route to a 24-14 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1942. . . . Darren Fells (averaged 10.2 ppg and 6.3 rpg from 2004-05 through 2007-08, leading UCI in rebounding each of last three seasons) had four pass receptions for 82 yards in a 31-19 win against the New Orleans Saints in 2015, amassing the most receiving yardage by an Arizona Cardinals TE since mid-November 1989. . . . Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (hooper in seven games for Clemson in 2010-11) caught two touchdown passes in a 27-20 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2015 season opener. . . . New York Giants' Dave Jennings (forward averaged 5.9 ppg for St. Lawrence NY in 1972-73 and 1973-74) punted 11 times for 46.5-yard average in 17-7 win against the Washington Redskins in 1981. . . . Los Angeles Rams DE Lamar Lundy (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.5 rpg for Purdue in mid-1950s) returned an interception 14 yards for a touchdown in a 26-14 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1964. . . . In NFL debut, Philadelphia Eagles E Eggs Manske (point guard led Northwestern to share of 1933 Big Ten Conference crown) opened the game's scoring with a pass reception touchdown in a 17-7 setback against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1935. . . . New York Giants DE George Martin (Oregon teammate of freshman sensation Ron Lee in 1972-73) returned a fumble recovery eight yards for a touchdown in a 17-7 win against the Washington Redskins in 1981. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 38-10 win against the Carolina Panthers in 2009. . . . Buffalo Bills TE Pete Metzelaars (averaged 19.2 ppg and 11.4 rpg for Wabash IN while setting NCAA Division III field-goal shooting records for single season as senior in 1981-82 and career) caught two third-quarter touchdown passes from Jim Kelly (53 and 24 yards) in a 34-31 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1992. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57 caught seven passes for 135 yards in a 17-14 setback against the Boston Patriots in 1964. . . . Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins (averaged 1.1 ppg and 2.1 rpg as Washington freshman in 2011-12) caught #1 draft pick overall Jameis Winston's first two touchdown passes in a 42-14 setback against the Tennessee Titans in 2015. . . . Philadelphia Eagles rookie E Len Supulski (Dickinson PA hooper) had a 41-yard pass reception for a touchdown in a 24-14 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1942. . . . Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) returned a fumble recovery four yards for a touchdown in a 38-21 win against the Denver Broncos in 1999. . . . In 2015 season debut, Tennessee Titans WR Kendall Wright (Baylor hooper as freshman in 2008-09) caught rookie Marcus Mariota's first NFL touchdown pass (52 yards) in a 42-14 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

14: In his only NFL start, Los Angeles Rams QB Terry Baker (Oregon State's second-leading scorer with 13.4 ppg for 1963 Final Four team) completed 6 of 12 passes for 72 yards and threw three interceptions in a 23-2 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1963. . . . San Diego Chargers WR Chris Chambers (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) caught two touchdown passes from Philip Rivers in a 39-38 setback against the Denver Broncos in 2008. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught three touchdown passes from Philip Rivers in a 30-21 win against the Seattle Seahawks in 2014. . . . 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 10 passes for 118 yards - including two touchdowns from Drew Brees - in a 26-24 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 2014. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) passed for 327 yards in a 27-21 setback against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1969. . . . Rookie WR James Hardy (started three hoops games for Indiana in 2004-05) put the Buffalo Bills ahead to stay with a fourth-quarter touchdown reception in a 20-16 win against the Jacksonville Jaquars in 2008. . . . Minnesota Vikings QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) completed 29-of-44 passes for 334 yards in a 28-14 setback against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1997. Six years later as member of Bucs, Johnson passed for 339 yards in a 12-9 setback against the Carolina Panthers in 2003. . . . 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 three second-quarter touchdown passes in a 47-7 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1968. . . . Houston Oilers CB Zeke Moore (Lincoln MO hoops letterman in mid-1960s) had two interceptions in a 21-17 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 1969 season opener. . . . Chicago Rockets E Max Morris (Northwestern All-American in 1945 and 1946 when two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection averaged 16.3 ppg) caught a touchdown pass in a 28-20 setback against the Buffalo Bills in 1947. . . . Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught two touchdown passes from John Elway (72 and 38 yards) in a 35-14 win against the St. Louis Rams in 1997. . . . In 1969 season opener, Kansas City Chiefs FL Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M) caught two second-half touchdown passes from Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) in a 27-9 win against the San Diego Chargers. . . . Chicago Rockets rookie QB Sam Vacanti (averaged 2.8 ppg as backup swingman for Iowa in 1942-43) threw three second-half touchdown passes in a 28-20 setback against the Buffalo Bills in 1947. . . . E Al Vandeweghe (William & Mary hoops letterman in 1942 and 1943) scored the Buffalo Bisons' lone touchdown with a 97-yard return of a fumble recovery in a 21-10 setback against the New York Yankees in 1946.

15: Chicago Bears TE Martellus Bennett (averaged 1.9 ppg and 1.5 rpg as Texas A&M freshman in 2005-06 before playing briefly next season under coach Billy Gillispie) had the game-winning touchdown reception with 10 seconds remaining in a 31-30 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 2013. . . . Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (averaged 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore and 11.3 as junior in mid-1950s) scored three touchdowns - including an 83-yard pass reception and 80-yard rush - while rushing for 162 yards on 15 carries in a 37-14 win against the Washington Redskins in 1963. . . . Buffalo Bills FL Elbert Dubenion (solid rebounder and defensive player for Bluffton OH in late 1950s) caught six passes for 131 yards - including two touchdowns from Jack Kemp - in a 35-17 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 1963. . . . 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 10 passes for 179 yards in a 16-14 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2013. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) punted six times for 290 yards (48.3 average) in a 21-21 tie against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1963 season opener. Steelers RB John Henry Johnson (made 5-of-8 FGAs in five games for Saint Mary's in 1950-51) scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns. . . . First pro touchdown catch for rookie WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven hoop games for Clemson in 2010-11) propelled the Houston Texans to a 30-24 overtime win against the Tennessee Titans in 2013. . . . Oakland Raiders RB Terry Kirby (averaged 3.4 ppg as Virginia freshman in 1989-90 and 2.1 as sophomore in 1990-91) returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown in a 30-17 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2002. . . . In 1968 season opener, New York Giants DT Bob Lurtsema (averaged 12.5 ppg for Michigan Tech in 1962-63) returned an interception 39 yards in a 34-20 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers. . . . Brooklyn Dodgers rookie HB Banks McFadden (led Clemson in scoring in each of his three seasons en route to becoming school's first All-American in 1939) had a 17-yard touchdown reception from TB Ace Parker (Duke hoops letterman in 1936) in a 24-17 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1940. . . . Dallas Cowboys WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Tony Romo - one of them for 72 yards - in a 41-37 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2008. . . . Carolina Panthers rookie DE Julius Peppers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 60.7% from floor for North Carolina in 1999-00 and 2000-01) had three sacks in a 31-7 win against the Detroit Lions in 2002. . . . Washington Redskins E Pat Richter (three-year Wisconsin hoops letterman in early 1960s) caught three touchdown passes from Sonny Jurgensen in a 38-28 win against the Chicago Bears in 1968. . . . Cincinnati Bengals QB John Stofa (averaged 5.8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Buffalo in 1961-62) threw two second-half touchdown passes - 58 yards to Bob Trumpy and 54 yards to Warren McVea - in a 24-10 win against the Denver Broncos in 1968. . . . Denver Broncos SE Lionel Taylor (led New Mexico Highlands in scoring average with 13.6 ppg in 1955-56 and 20.3 in 1956-57) had nine pass receptions for 133 yards in a 23-20 win against the Buffalo Bills in 1962.

16: Cincinnati Bengals QB Ken Anderson (swingman finished Augustana IL career in early 1970s as fifth-leading hoops scorer in school history with 1,044 points) passed for more than 300 yards in each of first three games of the 1984 campaign. . . . Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (averaged 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore and 11.3 as junior in mid-1950s) rushed for 134 yards on 17 carries in a 17-7 win against the New York Giants in 1962. . . . Miami Dolphins WR Chris Chambers (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) caught nine passes in a 37-20 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 2007. . . . Chicago Hornets TB Johnny Clement (SMU hoops letterman in 1940) opened the game's scoring with a six-yard rushing touchdown and threw two TD passes in a 35-7 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1949. . . . Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw three touchdown passes in a 35-10 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1950. . . . Green Bay Packers RB Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) rushed for three touchdowns in a 34-7 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1962. . . . Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 38-0 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1973. . . . Los Angeles Rams DE Lamar Lundy (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.5 rpg for Purdue in mid-1950s) returned an interception 33 yards for a touchdown in a 31-17 win against the Chicago Bears in 1966. . . . Baltimore Colts TE Dee Mackey (All-Lone Star Conference first-team selection for East Texas State and member of NAIA All-Tournament team as senior) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Johnny Unitas in a 30-27 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1962. . . . Baltimore Colts B John North (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1943) returned a fumble recovery 47 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown in a 27-14 win against the New York Yankees in 1948. . . . New York Titans WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Lee Grosscup in a 40-14 setback against the San Diego Chargers in 1962. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 20-17 win against the Chicago Bears in 1973 opener. Six years later, Staubach threw three TD passes in a 24-20 win against the Chicago Bears in 1979.

17: Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw three touchdown passes - all of them at least 27 yards - in a 38-14 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1950. . . . Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught two second-half touchdown passes from Ron Jaworski in a 24-17 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1978. . . . First professional reception and touchdown for New York Titans rookie TE Thurlow Cooper (averaged 10.4 ppg for Maine in 1955-56 after averaging 6.7 ppg and 6.1 rpg previous season) was a 38-yarder in a 28-24 setback against the Boston Patriots in 1960. Cooper caught a TD pass in each of his first three games. . . . Cleveland Browns B Bob Cowan (averaged 1.7 ppg for Indiana in 1942-43) caught two third-quarter touchdown passes (39 and 40 yards) from Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) in a 28-7 win against the Chicago Rockets in 1948. Graham threw for three TDs. . . . Buffalo Bills FL Elbert Dubenion (solid rebounder and defensive player for Bluffton OH in late 1950s) scored two touchdowns - including a 72-yard run from scrimmage - in a 41-31 win against the New York Jets in 1961. . . . New York Giants' Dave Jennings (forward averaged 5.9 ppg for St. Lawrence NY in 1972-73 and 1973-74) punted seven times for 52.1-yard average in a 26-10 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1978. . . . Boston Patriots RB Walt Livingston (two-year hoops letterman for Heidelberg OH averaged 7.4 ppg and 3.9 rpg in 1954-55) opened the game's scoring with a goal-line plunge for a touchdown in 28-24 win against the New York Titans in 1960. . . . San Francisco 49ers DB Ronnie Lott (USC hooper as junior in 1979-80) had two interceptions in a 20-16 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1989. . . . Baltimore Colts TE John Mackey (Syracuse hooper in 1960-61) had eight pass receptions for 126 yards in 38-31 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1967. . . . Green Bay Packers TE Rich McGeorge (all-league hooper for Elon averaged 13.7 ppg and 9.1 rpg while making 59% of his field-goal attempts) caught two first-half touchdown passes in a 26-10 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1972. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) amassed 350 passing yards en route to his second of seven games opening the 2006 campaign with multiple touchdown passes. . . . Houston Oilers rookie CB Zeke Moore (Lincoln MO hoops letterman in mid-1960s) returned two punts for 80 yards in a 20-3 win against the Buffalo Bills in 1967. . . . Carolina Panthers DE Julius Peppers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 60.7% from floor for North Carolina in 1999-00 and 2000-01) had three sacks in a 16-13 setback against the Minnesota Vikings in 2006. Eleven years later, Peppers had two sacks in a 9-3 win against the Buffalo Bills in 2017. . . . Minnesota Vikings WR Jerry Reichow (Iowa hooper in 1954-55) had three pass receptions for 103 yards in a 37-13 win against the Chicago Bears in 1961. . . . Green Bay Packers E Al Rose (Texas hoops letterman from 1928 through 1930) opened the game's scoring with an eight-yard touchdown reception in a 7-7 tie against the Boston Redskins in 1933. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for UMES) returned an interception 39 yards for a touchdown in a 27-24 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1961. . . . Portsmouth Spartans rookie B Elmer Schaake (Kansas hoops letterman as guard in 1932 and 1933) had a 22-yard touchdown reception in a 21-0 win against the Cincinnati Reds in 1933. . . . First pro touchdown for rookie WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) was a game-winning, 43-yard pass reception from John Elway boosting the Denver Broncos to a 38-31 win against the Washington Redskins in 1995. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) passed for 301 yards - including two first-quarter touchdowns - in a 35-24 win against the Washington Redskins in 1967 season opener. . . . St. Louis Cardinals rookie WR Dave Stief (hoop teammate of Portland State All-American Freeman Williams in 1977-78) threw a 43-yard pass to Pat Tilley in a 28-10 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1978. . . . Miami Dolphins QB John Stofa (averaged 5.8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Buffalo in 1961-62) completed both of his pass attempts for 51 yards and rushed for an eight-yard touchdown in a 35-21 win against the Denver Broncos in 1967. . . . In 1950 season opener, Washington Redskins E Hugh Taylor (led OCU in scoring with 11.4 ppg as senior in 1947) caught three touchdown passes in a 38-14 win against the Baltimore Colts. . . . Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) had 2 1/2 sacks in a 19-6 win against the Baltimore Ravens in 2000. . . . In 1973 season opener, Green Bay Packers P Ron Widby (three-time All-SEC selection for Tennessee from 1964-65 through 1966-67 averaged 14.5 ppg and 8.3 rpg as sophomore, 17.3 ppg and 8 rpg as junior and 22.1 ppg and 8.7 rpg as senior) punted six times for 303 yards (50.5 average) in a 23-7 win against the New York Jets. . . . In the midst of three consecutive contests with an interception, Denver Broncos DB Lonnie Wright (averaged 17.9 ppg from 1963-64 through 1965-66 while pacing Colorado State in scoring all three seasons) had two picks in a 35-21 setback against the Miami Dolphins in 1967.

18: Buffalo Bills FL Elbert Dubenion (solid rebounder and defensive player for Bluffton OH in late 1950s) caught two touchdown passes (53 and 40 yards) in a 27-21 setback against the Denver Broncos in 1960. . . . Atlanta Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught two touchdown passes in a 35-31 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011. . . . Dallas Cowboys CB Cornell Green (Utah State's all-time leading scorer and rebounder when career ended in 1961-62) had two interceptions - returning one of them 41 yards for a touchdown - in a 52-7 win against the New York Giants in 1966. . . . Rookie QB Randy Hedberg (three-time All-NDCAC hooper for Minot State ND from 1975 through 1977) started 1977 season opener for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when they lost to Philadelphia Eagles, 13-3. . . . San Diego Chargers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's leading scorer with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught 10 passes for 172 yards - including two fourth-quarter touchdowns from Philip Rivers - in a 35-21 setback against the New England Patriots in 2011. . . . Baltimore Colts TE John Mackey (Syracuse hooper in 1960-61) caught two touchdown passes from Johnny Unitas (83 and 26 yards) in a 38-23 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1966. . . . New York Giants DE George Martin (Oregon teammate of freshman sensation Ron Lee in 1972-73) returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown in a 20-17 win against the Washington Redskins in 1977. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) completed 23-of-29 passes for 342 yards and five touchdowns - including two in first half to WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) - in a 42-3 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 2005. . . . Cleveland Browns WR Evan Moore (Stanford hooper in 2003-04 and 2004-05) had a touchdown reception in his second consecutive contest in 2011. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught nine passes for 133 yards in a 32-10 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1966. . . . DB Wayne Rasmussen (MVP in 1963 NCAA College Division Tournament for South Dakota State) had an interception in each of the Detroit Lions' first two games in 1966. . . . New York Jets DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for UMES) had two interceptions in his second straight game in 1966.

19: Buffalo Bills WR Marlin Briscoe (averaged 9.5 ppg and 3.6 rpg for Nebraska-Omaha in 1964-65) caught two touchdown passes - one of them for 75 yards - in a 49-37 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1971. . . . WR George Farmer (teammate of UCLA legend Lew Alcindor in 1968-69) caught a fourth-quarter touchdown pass to give the Chicago Bears a 17-15 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1971. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes from Philip Rivers in a 38-13 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2010. . . . Los Angeles Dons E Dale Gentry (averaged 5.3 ppg for Washington State's 1941 NCAA Tournament runner-up) caught a 54-yard touchdown pass in a 48-21 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. . . . Chicago Rockets E Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (starting center for Michigan in 1944) caught two touchdown passes - one for 76 yards - in a 31-14 setback against the Buffalo Bills in 1947. . . . Washington Redskins QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw three touchdown passes in a 50-21 win against the New York Giants in 1999. . . . St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) passed for 383 yards - including three touchdowns - in a 34-27 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1965. . . . Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw three touchdown passes in a 31-7 win against the Seattle Seahawks in 1976. . . . Washington Redskins QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 426 yards in a 30-27 setback against the Houston Texans in 2010. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two touchdown passes from Steve Young in a 28-21 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1999. . . . First touchdown for rookie WR Bucky Pope (two-time All-Carolinas Conference hoops pick for Catawba NC averaged 19.4 ppg from 1961-62 through 1963-64) opened the Los Angeles Rams' scoring with a 65-yard pass reception from Bill Munson in a 17-17 tie against the Detroit Lions in 1964. . . . Buffalo Bills rookie QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw four touchdown passes - one in each quarter - in a 31-14 win against the Chicago Rockets in 1947. . . . Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) caught three touchdown passes from Bobby Hebert in a 37-30 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1993. . . . Denver Broncos SE Lionel Taylor (led New Mexico Highlands in scoring average with 13.6 ppg in 1955-56 and 20.3 in 1956-57) had nine pass receptions for 172 yards in a 30-15 setback against the Buffalo Bills in 1965.

20: New York Giants DB Erich Barnes (played hoops briefly for Purdue as sophomore in 1955-56) opened the game's scoring by returning an interception 26 yards for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1964. . . . Boston Braves RB Cliff Battles (four seasons of varsity hoops for West Virginia Wesleyan) rushed for two touchdowns - one of them 65 yards - in a 26-3 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1936. . . . Rookie E Harry Burrus (three-year hoops letterman in early 1940s for Hardin-Simmons TX) opened the New York Yankees' scoring by catching a 19-yard touchdown pass in a 17-17 tie against the Chicago Rockets in 1946. . . . Green Bay Packers RB Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) rushed for two first-half touchdowns in a 21-20 setback against the Baltimore Colts in 1964. . . . San Diego Chargers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's leading scorer with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught six passes for 141 yards in a 31-26 setback against the Baltimore Ravens in 2009. . . . St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw three touchdown passes in a 33-33 tie against the Cleveland Browns in 1964. Six years later with the Houston Oilers, Johnson threw two first-half TD passes in a 19-7 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1970. . . . Kansas City Chiefs LB Frank Manumaleuga (San Jose State hooper in 1978-79) had two interceptions in a 42-31 setback against the San Diego Chargers in 1981. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 28-24 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1964. . . . WR Kitrick Taylor (Washington State hooper in 1984-85 and 1986-87) caught a 35-yard touchdown pass from Brett Favre in the fourth quarter to give the Green Bay Packers a 24-23 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1992.

21: Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore hoops guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 20-17 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1980. . . . Minnesota Vikings QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw three second-half touchdown passes in a 38-32 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1997. Six years later with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Johnson threw two second-quarter TD passes in a 31-10 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 2003. . . . Denver Broncos QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) passed for 329 yards and three touchdowns in a 37-33 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1975. . . . Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw four touchdown passes in a 41-3 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1975. . . . San Francisco 49ers RB Terry Kirby (averaged 3.4 ppg as Virginia freshman in 1989-90 and 2.1 as sophomore in 1990-91) rushed for two touchdowns in a 34-7 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1997. . . . Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught two touchdown passes from John Elway in a 38-20 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1997. . . . Dallas Cowboys rookie QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) opened the game's scoring with a 75-yard touchdown pass to Lance Rentzel in a 24-3 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1969. . . . Denver Broncos SE Lionel Taylor (led New Mexico Highlands in scoring average with 13.6 ppg in 1955-56 and 20.3 in 1956-57) had 12 of his AFL-leading 77 pass receptions in a 41-16 setback against the Boston Patriots in 1962. . . . Denver Broncos DE Alfred Williams (Colorado hooper in 1989-90) returned a fumble recovery 51 yards for a touchdown in a 38-20 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1997.

22: Chicago Bears TE Martellus Bennett (averaged 1.9 ppg and 1.5 rpg as Texas A&M freshman in 2005-06 before playing briefly next season under coach Billy Gillispie) had two touchdown receptions in a 27-19 win against the New York Jets in 2014. . . . Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (averaged 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore and 11.3 as junior in mid-1950s) had two long rushing touchdowns - 71 and 62 en route to finishing with 232 yards on 20 carries - in a 41-24 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1963. . . . New York Giants B Dale Burnett (two-time all-conference hooper for Emporia State KS) caught two touchdown passes (45 and 25 yards) in a 42-7 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1935. . . . Cleveland Browns TE Jordan Cameron (redshirt freshman forward for BYU in 2006-07 before playing briefly for Southern California in 2008-09 under coach Tim Floyd) caught three touchdown passes in a 31-27 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 2013. . . . New York Giants TB Ed Danowski (Fordham hoops letterman in 1932-33) threw two of his league-high 10 touchdown passes in a 42-7 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1935. . . . Chicago Bears TE Mike Ditka (averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Pittsburgh in 1958-59 and 1959-60) caught eight passes for 124 yards - including two touchdowns - in a 28-7 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1963. . . . 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 nine passes for 134 yards - including two of his NFL-high 16 touchdown receptions from Drew Brees - in a 31-7 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 2013. . . . Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw two first-quarter touchdown passes in a 28-0 win against the Buffalo Bisons in 1946. . . . Carolina Panthers DE Greg Hardy (Mississippi backup forward as freshman in 2006-07) had three sacks and five tackles in a 38-0 victory against the New York Giants in 2013. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) threw a 92-yard touchdown pass to Ben Hawkins in a 34-25 setback against the New York Giants in 1968. . . . St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw three touchdown passes in a 28-24 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1963. Eleven years later with the Denver Broncos, Johnson threw two first-quarter TD passes in a 35-35 tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1974. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers RB John Henry Johnson (made 5-of-8 FGAs in five games for Saint Mary's in 1950-51) rushed for 123 yards on 24 carries in a 31-0 win against the New York Giants in 1963. . . . New Orleans Saints QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 37-17 win against the Washington Redskins in 1968. . . . Baltimore Colts FB J.W. Lockett (three-year hoops letterman led Central Oklahoma with 8.8 rpg in 1958-59) had a career-high five pass receptions in a 20-14 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1963. . . . Atlanta Falcons WR Bob Long (Wichita State hooper in 1960-61 and 1961-62 under coach Ralph Miller) caught a 71-yard touchdown pass in a 28-20 setback against the Baltimore Colts in 1968. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Kay McFarland (three-year hoops letterman for Colorado State was honorable mention UPI All-Skyline Conference selection in 1961) had a career-long touchdown reception of 43 yards from George Mira in a 35-17 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1968. . . . A 29-yard touchdown reception by TE Keith McKeller (starting center for Jacksonville State's 1985 NCAA Division II championship team led Gulf South Conference in rebounding each of his first three seasons and finished second as senior) from Jim Kelly in the fourth quarter gave the Buffalo Bills a 17-10 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1991. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw three touchdown passes in a 44-13 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 2002. . . . Chicago Bears B Ray Nolting (Cincinnati letterman in 1936) returned a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown in a 41-10 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1940. . . . Chicago Bears DE Julius Peppers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 60.7% from floor for North Carolina in 1999-00 and 2000-01) returned a fumble recovery 42 yards for a touchdown in a 40-23 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2013. . . . Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught eight passes for 150 yards in a 20-14 setback against the Boston Patriots in 1963. . . . Jacksonville Jaguars WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) caught two third-quarter touchdown passes from Mark Brunell (41 and 61 yards) in a 28-25 setback against the New England Patriots in 1996. . . . Kansas City Chiefs FL Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 34-2 win against the Denver Broncos in 1968. . . . San Francisco 49ers E Bob Titchenal (San Jose State hoops letterman in 1939) had a 42-yard pass reception for a touchdown in a 32-13 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1946.

23: Detroit Lions QB Fred Enke (three-year All-Border Conference first-team hoops selection under his father at Arizona was co-captain as senior in 1947-48) threw two touchdown passes in a 27-24 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1949. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught 11 passes for 113 yards in a 31-24 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 2007. . . . Los Angeles Rams E Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (starting hoops center for Michigan in 1944) scored two touchdowns in a 27-24 win against the Detroit Lions in 1949. . . . New York Giants' Dave Jennings (forward averaged 5.9 ppg for St. Lawrence NY in 1972-73 and 1973-74) punted six times for a 46.7-yard average in 17-14 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1984. . . . Philadelphia Eagles DB Joe Lavender (averaged 13.4 ppg and 6.6 rpg for San Diego State in 1969-70 and 1970-71) returned a fumble recovery 96 yards for a touchdown in a 13-10 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1974. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 30-28 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1962. Cowboys FB J.W. Lockett (three-year hoops letterman led Central Oklahoma with 8.8 rpg in 1958-59) opened the game's scoring with a 29-yard TD pass reception from Eddie LeBaron. . . . Baltimore Colts TE Dee Mackey (All-Lone Star Conference first-team hoops selection for East Texas State and member of NAIA All-Tournament team as senior) caught two touchdown passes in a 34-7 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1962. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 27-3 win against the Seattle Seahawks in 2001. Six years later, McNabb passed for 381 yards - including four first-half TDs - in a 56-21 win against the Detroit Lions in 2007. . . . Miami Dolphins rookie RB Jerris McPhail (starting point guard for Mount Olive NC with 11 ppg in early 1990s) returned two kickoffs for 70 yards in a 10-6 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in 1996. . . . Frankfort Yellow Jackets B Ken Mercer (three-year hoops letterman as Simpson IA forward) scored two touchdowns in a 19-9 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1928. . . . Dallas Cowboys WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) had eight pass receptions for 145 yards in a 34-10 win against the Chicago Bears in 2007. . . . Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) had 11 pass receptions in a 19-13 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1990. . . . Detroit Lions WR Freddie Scott (averaged 5.3 ppg as sophomore forward for Amherst MA in 1972-73) opened the game's scoring with a touchdown reception in a 24-23 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1979. . . . New York Giants WR Del Shofner (Baylor hoops letterman in 1956) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Y.A. Tittle (69 and 56 yards) in a 29-13 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1962. . . . Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught 14 passes for 162 yards - including two touchdowns from Brian Griese - in a 38-17 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 2001. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers LB George Tarasovic (led NLU forerunner Northeast Junior College LA with 21 ppg in 1950-51) returned an interception 37 yards in a 30-28 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1962.

24: New York Giants DB Erich Barnes (played hoops briefly for Purdue as sophomore in 1955-56) had two interceptions off Bobby Layne in a 17-14 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1961. . . . Cleveland Rams E Jim Benton (forward was Arkansas' third-leading scorer in SWC play as senior in 1937-38) caught eight passes for three touchdowns in a 30-28 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1944. . . . New York Giants TE Al Dixon (Iowa State hooper in 1975-76 and 1976-77) opened the game's scoring with a 29-yard touchdown catch from Joe Pisarcik in a 27-10 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1978. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers DB Tony Dungy (roommate of Flip Saunders averaged 2.6 ppg for Minnesota in 1973-74 under coach Bill Musselman) returned an interception 65 yards in a 15-9 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1978. . . . Green Bay Packers FB Ted Fritsch Sr. (hoops letterman for Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 1940-41 and 1941-42) scored two touchdowns - one rushing and one on 50-yard interception return - in a 42-28 win against the Chicago Bears in 1944. . . . Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught 10 passes in a 23-22 win against the Denver Broncos in 2000. . . . Rookie LB Tom Greenfield (Arizona hoops letterman in 1937 and 1938) recovered a fumble for a touchdown to complete the Green Bay Packers' scoring in a 21-16 win against the Chicago Bears in 1939. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) punted six times for 279 yards (46.5 average) in a 14-7 win against the Washington Redskins in 1961. . . . Seattle Seahawks TE Ron Howard (averaged 9.2 ppg and 6.5 rpg for Seattle from 1971-72 through 1973-74) supplied a fourth-quarter go-ahead touchdown with a four-yard pass from Jim Zorn in a 28-16 win against the Detroit Lions in 1978. . . . Jacksonville Jaguars rookie WR Willie Jackson (started five hoop games for Florida in 1989-90) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Mark Brunell in a 24-14 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1995. . . . Chicago Cardinals E Mal Kutner (two-year Texas hoops letterman in early 1940s) caught two touchdown passes in a 21-14 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1948. . . . In 1960 season opener, Pittsburgh Steelers QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw four touchdown passes - one in each quarter - in a 35-28 win against the Dallas Cowboys. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 21-7 win against the New Orleans Saints in 2000. Six years later, McNabb threw two first-quarter TD passes in a 38-24 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 2006. . . . New York Giants DB R.W. McQuarters (Oklahoma State hooper in 1995-96 and 1996-97 started two games) returned an interception 27 yards for a touchdown in a 42-30 setback against the Seattle Seahawks in 2006. . . . San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two touchdown passes from Jeff Garcia in a 41-24 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 2000. . . . A fourth-quarter 45-yard field goal by Mac Percival (three-year hoops letterman was part of squad winning Texas Tech's first SWC championship in major sport in 1960-61) boosted the Chicago Bears to a 13-13 tie with the Los Angeles Rams in 1972. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) passed for 303 yards in a 26-7 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1979. . . . Denver Broncos SE Lionel Taylor (led New Mexico Highlands in scoring average with 13.6 ppg in 1955-56 and 20.3 in 1956-57) had 11 of his AFL-leading 100 pass receptions in a 35-28 setback against the New York Titans in 1961. . . . Dallas Cowboys P Ron Widby (three-time All-SEC selection for Tennessee from 1964-65 through 1966-67 averaged 14.5 ppg and 8.3 rpg as sophomore, 17.3 ppg and 8 rpg as junior and 22.1 ppg and 8.7 rpg as senior) punted six times for 277 yards (46.2 average) in a 20-14 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 1972. . . . Minnesota Vikings E A.D. Williams (Pacific hoops letterman in mid-1950s) had career highs of four pass receptions and 78 yards in a 21-7 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1961.

25: Minnesota Vikings LB Matt Blair (played in 1970 NJCAA Tournament for Northeastern Oklahoma A&M hoops team finishing in seventh place) scored a 49-yard touchdown on a lateral in a 24-20 win against the Chicago Bears in 1978. . . . Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (averaged 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore and 11.3 as junior in mid-1950s) rushed for 153 yards on 24 carries in a 41-24 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1960. . . . Washington Redskins E John Carson (Georgia hoops letterman in 1952 and 1953) caught two touchdown passes from Eddie LeBaron in a 27-17 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1955. Five years later with the Houston Oilers, Carson caught eight passes in a 14-13 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 1960. . . . Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw five touchdown passes in a 43-24 win against the Boston Patriots in 1966. . . . Green Bay Packers RB Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) scored two first-half touchdowns in a 24-13 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1966. . . . St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw three touchdown passes in a 34-28 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1966. . . . New York Jets RB Johnny Johnson (averaged 11.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg and 3.2 apg in 1988-89 after majority of hoop team members walked off San Jose State squad) rushed for 126 yards on 12 carries in a 19-7 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1994. . . . Cleveland Browns WR Dave Logan (averaged 14.1 ppg and 6.3 rpg for Colorado in mid-1970s) caught eight passes for 121 yards in a 30-24 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1983. . . . Chicago Bears QB Johnny Lujack (averaged 3.4 ppg as starting guard for Notre Dame in 1943-44) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 17-0 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1949. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 365 yards - including two third-quarter touchdowns - in a 23-20 win against the Oakland Raiders in 2005. . . . Rookie TE Gene Prebola (Boston University hooper in 1957-58) had a fourth-quarter touchdown catch from Tom Flores to boost the Oakland Raiders to a 14-13 win against the Houston Oilers in 1960. . . . Buffalo Bills QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 28-17 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1949. Six years later with the Cleveland Browns, Ratterman threw two third-quarter TD passes in a 27-17 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1955. . . . Atlanta Falcons LB Marion Rushing (Southern Illinois hooper from 1954-55 through 1956-57) had an interception in a 28-10 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1966. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers rookie HB Don Samuel (appeared in 1947 NCAA Tournament for Oregon State) rushed for a 31-yard touchdown in a 28-7 win against the New York Giants in 1949. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw three touchdown passes in a 35-17 win against the New York Giants in 1966.

26: New York Giants TE Kevin Boss (averaged 3 ppg and 2.7 rpg while shooting 51.9% from floor for Western Oregon in 2004-05 and 2005-06) caught three passes for a career-high 88 receiving yards in 29-10 setback against the Tennessee Titans in 2010. . . . Detroit Lions rookie FB Bill Bowman (fouled out with four points in only basketball game with William & Mary in 1953-54) returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown in a 48-23 win against the Chicago Bears in 1954. . . . QB Jim Finks (led Tulsa with 8.9 ppg as sophomore in 1946-47) accounted for all of the Pittsburgh Steelers' scoring with three touchdown passes in a 21-20 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1954. . . . Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 41-21 win against the Chicago Rockets in 1947. The next year, Graham threw two third-quarter TD passes in a 21-10 win against the Chicago Rockets in 1948. . . . Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) passed for 309 yards, including two fourth-quarter touchdowns, in a 30-20 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 2004. . . . St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) passed for 310 yards and six touchdowns in a 49-13 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1965. . . . Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) completed 23-of-32 passes for 309 yards in a 30-3 win against the New York Giants in 1971. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 17-7 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1959. . . . Chicago Cardinals B Ike Mahoney (Creighton hooper in early 1920s) opened the game's scoring with a 70-yard touchdown on a fumble recovery return in a 15-0 win against the Los Angeles Buccaneers in 1926. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 356 yards - including two first-half touchdowns - in a 30-13 win against the Detroit Lions in 2004. . . . St. Louis Rams TE Fendi Onobun (averaged 1.8 ppg and 1.2 rpg while shooting 58.7% from floor with Arizona from 2005-06 through 2008-09 under coaches Lute Olson and Kevin O'Neill) had both of his NFL pass receptions in a 30-16 win against the Washington Redskins in 2010. . . . Cleveland Browns RB Greg Pruitt (Oklahoma frosh hooper in 1969-70) rushed for 151 yards, had a touchdown catch and threw for another TD in a 30-27 win against the New England Patriots in 1977. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers WR Dave Smith (averaged 15.6 ppg and 11.6 rpg while shooting 51.1% from floor for Indiana PA in 1968-69 and 1969-70) had career highs of eight pass receptions and 162 yards in a 21-10 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1971. . . . Chicago Bears TE Ed Sprinkle (two-year hoops letterman for Hardin-Simmons TX in early 1940s) had two second-half touchdown catches in a 45-7 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1948. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) passed for 339 yards - including two second-half touchdowns - in a 30-27 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1976. . . . Chicago Rockets rookie QB Sam Vacanti (averaged 2.8 ppg as backup swingman for Iowa in 1942-43) threw three second-half touchdown passes in a 41-21 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1947. . . . Detroit Lions HB Doak Walker (SMU hoops letterman as freshman in 1945-46) scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns (70-yard punt return and 3-yard rush) in a 48-23 win against the Chicago Bears in 1954. . . . Arizona Cardinals DE Peppi Zellner (averaged 10.3 ppg and team-high 9.1 rpg for Fort Valley State GA in 1997-98) had two sacks in a 6-3 setback against the Atlanta Falcons in 2004.

27: In his NFL debut, New York Giants rookie E O'Neal Adams (three-year Arkansas hoops letterman was third-leading scorer in 1941 when Razorbacks lost against Washington State in NCAA Tournament national semifinals) returned an interception 66 yards for the decisive score in a 14-7 win against the Washington Redskins in 1942. . . . Boston Braves RB Cliff Battles (four seasons of varsity hoops for West Virginia Wesleyan) provided the go-ahead score with a 68-yard rushing touchdown in a 14-3 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1936. . . . Detroit Lions E Cloyce Box (combined with twin brother Boyce to help West Texas win Border Conference hoops title in 1943) caught five passes for 143 yards in a 38-21 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1953 season opener. . . . New York Giants E Glenn Campbell (Emporia State KS hooper) opened the game's scoring with a 30-yard touchdown catch in 14-6 win against the Providence Steam Roller in 1931. E Al Rose (Texas hoops letterman from 1928 through 1930) had Providence's lone TD with a blocked punt return. . . . Frankfort Yellow Jackets rookie B Clyde Crabtree (Florida hoops letterman in 1928 and 1929) rushed for the game's only touchdown in a 7-3 win against the Staten Island Stapletons in 1930. . . . Philadelphia Eagles HB Bob Davis (Kentucky hoops letterman in 1937 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp) capped off the game's scoring with a 21-yard touchdown catch in a 35-14 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1942. . . . New York Giants DB Percy Ellsworth (appeared in all four of Virginia's NCAA tourney contests for 1995 Midwest Regional finalist) had two interceptions - including one for a touchdown - in a 34-16 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1998. . . . Detroit Lions E Chuck Hanneman (three-year Eastern Michigan hoops letterman in mid-1930s) caught a 46-yard touchdown pass from Whizzer White (two-time all-conference first-team selection averaged 6.8 ppg for Colorado from 1935-36 through 1937-38), tying the score in a 14-14 result with the Chicago Cardinals in 1941. . . . Chicago Cardinals QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 49-21 win against the Washington Redskins in 1959. . . . Philadelphia Eagles FB Bert Johnson (played one hoops game in 1934-35 under legendary Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp) had a 65-yard touchdown reception in a 35-14 setback against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1942. . . . Washington Redskins DB Joe Lavender (averaged 13.4 ppg and 6.6 rpg for San Diego State in 1969-70 and 1970-71) had two interceptions in a 20-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1976. . . . San Francisco 49ers rookie DB Ronnie Lott (USC hooper as junior in 1979-80) returned an interception 26 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown in a 21-14 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1981. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers E Elbie Nickel (Cincinnati's second-leading scorer in 1942 also earned hoop letter in 1947) caught two touchdown passes in a 38-22 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1953. . . . Chicago Bears B Ray Nolting (Cincinnati hoops letterman in 1936) scored two touchdowns (39-yard rush and 35-yard fumble recovery return) in a 44-28 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1942. . . . B Kink Richards (Simpson IA hoops letterman) had the New York Giants' lone touchdown with a 59-yard scamper following a lateral in 10-7 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1936. . . . Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) had 10 pass receptions for 177 yards - including three touchdowns - in a 41-31 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1992. . . . Denver Broncos SE Lionel Taylor (led New Mexico Highlands in scoring average with 13.6 ppg in 1955-56 and 20.3 in 1956-57) had eight pass receptions for 149 yards in a 38-17 setback against the Houston Oilers in 1964. . . . In 1942 season opener, New York Giants E Will Walls (starting forward for TCU for three years from 1935 through 1937) opened the game's scoring with a 50-yard pass reception touchdown in a 14-7 win against the Washington Redskins. . . . In 1953 season opener, San Francisco 49ers E Billy Wilson (averaged 3.3 ppg as senior letterman for San Jose State in 1950-51) caught two second-half touchdown passes from Y.A. Tittle in a 31-21 win against the Philadelphia Eagles.

28: Rookie E Neill Armstrong (played one hoops game under legendary Oklahoma A&M coach Hank Iba in 1944) caught a 29-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter for the Philadelphia Eagles' final score in a 45-42 win against the Washington Redskins in 1947. Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (TCU three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw five touchdown passes - three of them at least 36 yards. Redskins B Dick Poillon (Canisius hooper in early 1940s) caught a 57-yard TD pass from Baugh. In his NFL debut as E, teammate Hugh Taylor (led OCU in scoring with 11.4 ppg as senior in 1947) caught three TD passes from Baugh and amassed 212 yards receiving. . . . Chicago Bears TE Martellus Bennett (averaged 1.9 ppg and 1.5 rpg as Texas A&M freshman in 2005-06 before playing hoops briefly next season under coach Billy Gillispie) had nine pass receptions for a career-high 134 yards in a 38-17 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 2014. . . . San Francisco 49ers HB J.R. Boone (hoops teammate of eventual NFL executive Jim Finks for Tulsa in 1947-48) caught a 47-yard touchdown pass from Frankie Albert in a 17-3 win against the Detroit Lions in 1952. . . . Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw three first-half touchdown passes in a 48-3 win against the Miami Dolphins in 1968. Two years later, Dawson threw four TD passes in a 44-24 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1970. . . . Oakland Raiders TE Rickey Dudley (averaged 13.3 ppg and 7.5 rpg as senior in 1994-95 when leading Ohio State in rebounding and finishing third in scoring) caught five passes for 106 yards - including two touchdowns from Jeff George - in a 35-17 win against the St. Louis Rams in 1997. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers QB Jim Finks (led Tulsa with 8.9 ppg as sophomore in 1946-47) rushed for two touchdowns in a 31-25 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1952. . . . Philadelphia Eagles E Bud Grant (third-leading scorer for Minnesota in 1948-49 after named team MVP previous season over first-team All-American Jim McIntyre) opened the game's scoring with an 84-yard touchdown reception in a 31-25 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1952. . . . Los Angeles Rams E Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (starting hoops center for Michigan in 1944) caught a touchdown pass in all four quarters from Norm Van Brocklin in a 54-14 win against the New York Yanks in 1951. . . . Minnesota Vikings QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw three touchdown passes in a 28-19 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1997. . . . Minnesota Vikings QB Joe Kapp (backup forward averaged 1.8 ppg and 1.2 rpg for California's PCC champions in 1957 and 1958) passed for 449 yards and seven touchdowns - including 83 and 42 yards to Gene Washington - in a 52-14 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1969. . . . San Francisco 49ers DB Ronnie Lott (USC hooper as junior in 1979-80) had two interceptions in a 31-16 win against the Miami Dolphins in 1986. . . . WR Bob McChesney (Hardin-Simmons TX hoops letterman in 1945-46) scored the New York Giants' first touchdown by catching a 26-yard pass from Charlie Conerly in 24-6 win against the Dallas Texans in 1952 season opener. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) passed for 335 yards - including five touchdowns (four to Ben Hawkins) - in a 41-27 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1969. . . . Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw three touchdown passes - including game winner in overtime - in a 37-31 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1975. . . . Dallas Cowboys P Ron Widby (three-time All-SEC selection for Tennessee from 1964-65 through 1966-67 averaged 14.5 ppg and 8.3 rpg as sophomore, 17.3 ppg and 8 rpg as junior and 22.1 ppg and 8.7 rpg as senior) punted six times for 278 yards (46.3 average) in a 21-17 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1969. . . . Staten Island Stapletons B Doug Wycoff (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1926) threw two touchdown passes in a 21-0 win against the Frankfort Yellow Jackets in 1930.

29: DE Doug Atkins (center was Tennessee's third-leading scorer with 9.9 ppg in 1950-51) concluded the Chicago Bears' scoring by recording a safety in a 37-21 win against the Detroit Lions in 1963. . . . Cleveland Browns TE Jordan Cameron (redshirt freshman forward for BYU in 2006-07 before playing briefly for Southern California in 2008-09 under coach Tim Floyd) had 10 pass receptions for 91 yards in 17-6 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2013. . . . Los Angeles Dons rookie WR Len Ford (center for Morgan State's CIAA hoops titlist in 1944) supplied the go-ahead score with a touchdown catch in a 20-10 win against the New York Yankees in 1948. . . . San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught 10 passes for 136 yards in a 30-21 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 2013. . . . Cincinnati Bengals DT Oliver Gibson (Notre Dame hooper in 1990-91) had an interception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002. . . . Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught seven passes for 140 yards - including three touchdowns from Trent Green - in a 48-30 win against the Miami Dolphins in 2002. Eleven years later with the Atlanta Falcons, Gonzalez caught 12 passes for 149 yards - including two TDs - in a 30-23 setback against the New England Patriots in 2013. . . . New York Giants rookie Dave Jennings (forward averaged 5.9 ppg for St. Lawrence NY in 1972-73 and 1973-74) punted six times for a 48-yard average in 14-6 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1974. . . . Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw three touchdown passes in a 35-7 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2002. . . . Chicago Bears E Luke Johnsos (Northwestern hoops letterman in 1927 and 1928) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 23-7 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1935. . . . Oakland Raiders RB Terry Kirby (averaged 3.4 ppg as Virginia freshman in 1989-90 and 2.1 as sophomore in 1990-91) returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown in a 52-25 win against the Tennessee Titans in 2002. . . . Philadelphia Eagles DB Joe Lavender (averaged 13.4 ppg and 6.6 rpg for San Diego State in 1969-70 and 1970-71) returned an interception 37 yards for a touchdown in a 30-10 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1974. . . . RB Greg Pruitt (Oklahoma frosh hooper in 1969-70) accounted for the Cleveland Browns' only touchdown with a 55-yard halfback pass in a 29-7 setback against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1974. . . . New York Yanks QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw four touchdown passes in a 44-21 win against the Detroit Lions in 1950. . . . In his pro debut, Detroit Lions E Ivan Schottel (three-year hoops letterman for Northwest Missouri State from 1940 through 1942) caught a 70-yard touchdown pass in 34-14 setback against the Chicago Cardinals in 1946. . . . Denver Broncos SE Lionel Taylor (led New Mexico Highlands in scoring average with 13.6 ppg in 1955-56 and 20.3 in 1956-57) had seven pass receptions for 169 yards in a 14-10 win against the Boston Patriots in 1963. . . . Buffalo Bisons E Al Vandeweghe (William & Mary hoops letterman in 1942 and 1943) scored a touchdown on an eight-yard pass reception in a 21-21 tie against the Los Angeles Dons in 1946. . . . Detroit Lions B Whizzer White (two-time all-conference first-team hoops selection averaged 6.8 ppg for Colorado from 1935-36 through 1937-38) had a 20-yard rushing touchdown for the game's lone score in a 6-0 win against the Cleveland Rams in 1940.

30: Boston Braves RB Cliff Battles (four seasons of varsity hoops for West Virginia Wesleyan) contributed a 75-yard rushing touchdown against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1934. . . . Kansas City Chiefs DE Buck Buchanan (earned hoops letter as Grambling freshman in 1958-59) intercepted a pass in a 16-3 win against the Oakland Raiders in 1973. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers HB Lynn Chandnois (forward scored 15 points in 11 games for Michigan State in 1946-47 and 1947-48) scored three touchdowns - two rushing/one receiving - in a 30-13 win against the Washington Redskins in 1956. . . . Dallas Texans QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw three second-half touchdown passes in a 41-21 win against the Buffalo Bills in 1962. . . . 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 two of his NFL-high 16 touchdown passes from Drew Brees in a 38-17 win against the Miami Dolphins in 2013. . . . Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw three touchdown passes in a 33-27 setback against the New York Jets in 1979. . . . Baltimore Ravens TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 34-23 win against the Denver Broncos in 2002. . . . Denver Broncos QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) passed for 326 yards in a 33-14 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1973. . . . Washington Redskins DB Joe Lavender (averaged 13.4 ppg and 6.6 rpg for San Diego State in 1969-70 and 1970-71) had two interceptions in a 16-7 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1979. . . . Baltimore Colts TE Dee Mackey (All-Lone Star Conference first-team hoops selection for East Texas State and member of NAIA All-Tournament team as senior) had a career-high five pass receptions in a 29-20 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1962. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Bill Mackrides (Nevada-Reno hoops letterman in 1944) opened the game's scoring with a 22-yard touchdown pass in a 17-14 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1951. . . . Kansas City Chiefs LB Ken McAlister (averaged 8.5 ppg and 3.2 rpg for San Francisco from 1978-79 through 1981-82) had 2 1/2 sacks and returned an interception 22 yards in a 10-6 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1984. . . . Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw three first-half touchdown passes in a 40-18 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 2001. . . . Chicago Hornets B Ray Ramsey (Bradley's top hoops scorer in 1941-42 and 1942-43) had a 77-yard touchdown reception in a 42-24 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1949. . . . A 22-yard touchdown catch by Paul Riblett (Penn hoops letterman in early 1930s) from Chris Cagle (four-year letterman for USL and Army in mid-1920s) in the fourth quarter gave the Brooklyn Dodgers a 10-6 win against the Boston Redskins in 1934. . . . Dallas Cowboys rookie RB Larry Robinson (All-SEC third-team hoops selection as Tennessee senior in 1972-73) rushed twice for 17 yards in a 45-10 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1973. . . . Washington Redskins QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw two first-half touchdown passes to Bobby Mitchell in a 24-14 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1962.

Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Former Guilford NC hoopers Rick Ferrell and Tom Zachary supplied significant MLB performances on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 1 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 1

• Milwaukee Braves 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) swatted two homers against the Chicago Cubs in a 1960 game.

• Chicago Cubs LF Ethan Allen (Cincinnati hoops letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) supplied four hits against the New York Giants in a 1936 contest.

• Baltimore Orioles LF Al Bumbry (Virginia State's runner-up in scoring with 16.7 ppg as freshman in 1964-65) banged out four hits against the Kansas City Royals in a 1974 outing.

• Arizona Diamondbacks 1B Tony Clark (San Diego State's leading scorer in WAC games in 1991-92) collected five RBI against the Colorado Rockies in a 2007 game.

• Philadelphia Athletics rookie RHP Jack Coombs (hoops captain and starting center for Colby ME) went the distance in a 24-inning, 4-1 win against the Washington Senators in 1906. Coombs tossed two more complete-game victories in the next 10 days.

• New York Giants SS Alvin Dark (hoops letterman for LSU and USL in mid-1940s) manufactured four hits in his second game in a row against the Chicago Cubs in 1953.

• Milwaukee Braves 2B Jack Dittmer (Iowa hooper in 1949-50), entering the game with a .180 batting average, started a streak of six consecutive multiple-hit contests in 1954. Dittmer homered in three of the tilts.

• Closing in on the conclusion of an 18-year Hall of Fame career, Washington Senators C Rick Ferrell (hoops forward for Guilford NC before graduating in 1928) furnished four hits against the Philadelphia Athletics in a 1947 contest.

• In 1976, Baltimore Orioles rookie LHP Mike Flanagan (averaged 13.9 ppg for UMass' freshman squad in 1971-72) registered his first of 167 MLB career victories (six-hit, 7-1 nod over Kansas City Royals).

• Pittsburgh Pirates rookie 3B Gene Freese (West Liberty WV hoops captain of 1952 NAIA Tournament team) stroked four hits against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1955 outing.

• SS Dick Groat (two-time All-American with Duke in 1950-51 and 1951-52 when finishing among nation's top five scorers each season) received a bases-loaded walk in the 21st inning to give the San Francisco Giants a 1-0 victory at Cincinnati in 1967.

• Chicago Cubs SS Don Kessinger (three-time All-SEC selection for Mississippi from 1961-62 through 1963-64 while finishing among nation's top 45 scorers each year) went 4-for-4 against the Houston Astros in a 1968 game.

• Detroit Tigers RF Harvey Kuenn (hooper played briefly for Wisconsin in 1951-52 after competing on JV squad previous season) contributed four hits against the Chicago White Sox in a 1959 contest.

• Washington Senators SS Doc Lavan (Hope MI hooper from 1908 through 1910) went 4-for-4 against the New York Yankees in a 1918 outing.

• In 1931, New York Giants rookie LHP Jim Mooney (played for East Tennessee State) notched his fourth win and second shutout since being summoned from the minors three weeks earlier.

• Washington Senators rookie SS Buddy Myer (Mississippi State hoops letterman in 1923-24) went 4-for-5 for the second time in an eight-game span in 1926.

• Cincinnati Reds CF Greasy Neale (hooper graduated in 1915 from West Virginia Wesleyan) went 5-for-5 against the St. Louis Cardinals in the nightcap of a 1918 doubleheader.

• Brooklyn Dodgers LHP Preacher Roe (Harding AR hooper in late 1930s) yielded five solo homers but the St. Louis Cardinals still were soundly defeated, 12-5, in 1953. Five years earlier, Roe tossed his second of back-to-back shutouts in 1948.

• New York Yankees rookie LHP Marius Russo (member of LIU teams compiling 50-2 record in 1934-35 and 1935-36 under legendary coach Clair Bee) earned a save against the Cleveland Indians in the midst of seven straight complete-game victories to close out the 1939 campaign.

• Baltimore Orioles RF Ken Singleton (played for Hofstra freshman hoops team in mid-1960s) homered twice against the Seattle Mariners in a 1980 contest.

• Cleveland Indians 2B Riggs Stephenson (Alabama hoops letterman in 1920) collected two homers and six RBI against the St. Louis Browns in the nightcap of a 1924 twinbill.

• Philadelphia Phillies RHP Kent Tekulve (freshman hooper for Marietta OH in mid-1960s) won his sixth game as a reliever in span of a month in 1986.

• LHP Bob Veale (scored 1,160 points from 1955-56 through 1957-58 with Benedictine KS) made relief appearance for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1971 when they started what is believed to be the first all-black lineup (including several Latinos) in MLB history (against Philadelphia Phillies).

• Pittsburgh Pirates CF Bill Virdon (Drury MO hooper in 1949) belted a two-out, game-ending grand slam in a 6-4 verdict over the Cincinnati Reds in 1963.

• New York Yankees LHP Tom Zachary (Guilford NC letterman in 1916) yielded his most earned runs of the year (four against Boston Red Sox) en route to a 12-0 worksheet in 1929.

Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Former Santa Clara hoop guards Tim Cullen and Randy Winn made significant MLB news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an August 30 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

AUGUST 30

• Texas Rangers RF Larry Biittner (runner-up in basketball scoring and rebounding in 1966-67 for Buena Vista IA) banged out four hits against the Minnesota Twins in a 1973 game.

• Philadelphia Athletics SS John Chapman (multiple-season hooper for Mount St. Mary's) chipped in with a career-high three hits against the Boston Red Sox in the opener of a 1924 doubleheader.

• Brooklyn Dodgers RHP Jack Coombs (captain and starting hoops center for Colby ME) announced his retirement following a 1-0 setback against the New York Giants in a game lasting only 57 minutes.

• Tim Cullen (starting guard for Santa Clara in 1962-63 when he averaged 10 ppg) tied a MLB single-inning record with three errors in the eighth frame for the Washington Senators against the Oakland A's in 1969 one year before he led A.L. second basemen in fielding percentage. Washington 1B-OF Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when he led Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) contributed four hits in the Senators' 11-3 victory.

• 2B Jack Dittmer (Iowa hooper in 1949-50) socked one of the Milwaukee Braves' eight homers in a 19-4 romp over the Pittsburgh Pirates in the opener of a 1953 doubleheader.

• Boston Red Sox 2B Denny Doyle (averaged 2.7 ppg for Morehead State in 1962-63) went 4-for-4 against the Oakland Athletics in a 1977 outing.

• Detroit Tigers 1B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club winning 1967 state community college crown) homered twice in a 1986 game against the California Angels.

• St. Louis Cardinals 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) provided four hits against the New York Giants in a 1933 contest.

• New York Yankees C Mike Garbark (hoops letterman for Villanova's 25-5 squad in 1937-38 under coach Alex Severance) furnished four hits in a 9-7 win against the Boston Red Sox in 1944.

• Milwaukee Braves SS Johnny Logan (Binghamton hooper in 1948-49) homered in both ends of a 1953 doubleheader sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

• INF Tim Nordbrook (hoops letterman for Loyola LA in 1968-69) purchased from the Chicago White Sox by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1977.

• In 1953, Pittsburgh Pirates rookie 2B Johnny O'Brien (consensus All-American second-team choice as junior and consensus first-team selection as senior averaged 25.8 ppg for Seattle from 1950-51 through 1952-53) supplied three contests with three hits and chipped in with a four-RBI outing in his last seven games of the month.

• Montreal Expos RF Ken Singleton (Hofstra freshman hoops team in mid-1960s) went 4-for-4 and scored four runs against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1974 outing.

• St. Louis Cardinals RHP Lee Smith (averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg with Northwestern State in 1976-77) posted his 12th save of the month in 1992.

• Bill Virdon (Drury MO hooper in 1949) fired as Montreal Expos manager in 1984.

• San Francisco Giants RF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) ripped two homers in a 2008 game against the Cincinnati Reds.