On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling October 3 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads and multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on October 3 in football at the professional level (especially in 1965):

OCTOBER 3

  • Indianapolis Colts TE Mo Alie-Cox (All-Atlantic 10 Conference third-team selection as junior averaged 7.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg and 1.8 bpg for four VCU NCAA tourney teams from 2013-14 through 2016-17) caught two second-half touchdown passes from Carson Wentz in a 27-17 win against the Miami Dolphins in 2021.

  • Cincinnati Bengals QB Ken Anderson (swingman finished Augustana IL career in early 1970s as fifth-leading scorer in school history with 1,044 points) threw four touchdown passes in a 45-24 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1976. Browns WR Reggie Rucker (averaged 6.8 ppg and 3.8 rpg for Boston University in 1966-67) had nine pass receptions for 141 yards.

  • Baltimore Ravens WR Justin Armour (Stanford hooper in 1992-93) caught 54-yard touchdown pass in overtime to give the Baltimore Ravens a 19-13 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1999.

  • New York Giants E Red Badgro (first-five All-Pacific Coast Conference pick as forward in 1926-27 when named USC's MVP) opened game's scoring with a 25-yard touchdown reception in 14-12 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1934.

  • Cleveland Browns DB Erich Barnes (played hoops briefly for Purdue as sophomore in 1955-56) returned an interception 38 yards for touchdown in 15-7 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1970.

  • 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 in a 27-14 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1949. Redskins E Hugh Taylor (OCU leading scorer with 11.4 ppg as senior in 1947) had two of his league-high nine TD pass receptions.

  • Kansas City Chiefs LB Bobby Bell (first African-American hooper for Minnesota in 1960-61) returned an interception 36 yards for touchdown in 27-17 AFL win against the Boston Patriots in 1965.

  • Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (averaged 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore and 11.3 as junior in mid-1950s) rushed for three touchdowns in a 35-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1965. Eagles QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) threw two TD passes.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers HB Lynn Chandnois (forward scored 15 points in 11 games for Michigan State in 1946-47 and 1947-48) returned a kickoff 93 yards for touchdown in 24-14 win against the New York Giants in 1953.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers TB Johnny Clement (SMU hoops letterman in 1940) threw two touchdown passes in a 24-14 win against the Boston Yanks in 1948.

  • Chicago Bears B-PK John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern basketball letterman in 1916) kicked decisive field goal in fourth quarter in 10-7 win against the Detroit Panthers in 1926.

  • Detroit Lions QB Fred Enke (three-year All-Border Conference first-team selection under his father was Arizona co-captain as senior in 1947-48) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 22-14 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1949. Four years later with the Baltimore Colts, Enke threw two first-half TD passes in a 27-17 setback against the Lions in 1953.

  • Washington Redskins LB London Fletcher (started two games for St. Francis PA as hoops freshman in 1993-94 before transferring to John Carroll OH) had 10 tackles in a 17-12 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2010.

  • San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught seven passes for 144 yards - including two first-half touchdowns from Philip Rivers - in a 41-10 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 2010.

  • 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 337 yards and four touchdown passes in a 38-36 win against the Carolina Panthers in 1999.

  • Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes to E Cloyce Box (combined with twin brother Boyce to help West Texas win Border Conference hoop championship in 1943) in a 17-14 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1952.

  • A fourth-quarter touchdown pass reception by 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) from Jim Kelly gave the Buffalo Bills a 17-14 win against the New York Giants in 1993.

  • Philadelphia Eagles B Dom Moselle (leading hoops scorer for Wisconsin-Superior in 1947-48 and 1948-49) caught a 35-yard touchdown pass in 35-16 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1954.

  • Buffalo Bills HB Chet Mutryn (Xavier hoops letterman in 1943) caught two touchdown passes from George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) in a 31-21 AAFC win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1948.

  • Cincinnati Bengals WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) had 10 pass receptions for 222 yards in a 23-20 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 2010.

  • HB Bosh Pritchard (four-sport letterman for VMI) scored the Philadelphia Eagles' final touchdown with a 52-yard run from scrimmage in 28-28 tie against the Los Angeles Rams in 1948.

  • Detroit Lions DB Wayne Rasmussen (MVP in 1963 NCAA College Division Tournament for South Dakota State) had two interceptions - returning one of them 50 yards for a touchdown to open game's scoring - in 14-10 win against the Washington Redskins in 1965.

  • Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 28-13 win against the Seattle Seahawks in 1976.

  • Chicago Rockets rookie QB Sam Vacanti (averaged 2.8 ppg as backup swingman for Iowa in 1942-43) threw three touchdown passes in a 35-31 AAFC setback against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Rookie HB Ted Scalissi (three-time all-league hoops selection for Ripon WI) caught two of the TD passes.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Providing MLB Headlines on October 3

Extra! Extra! Amid enduring feeble fire alarm excuses from NY Congressman Bozo Bowman while looters go free, there is a "truth-over-facts" correlation between #Dimorat dogma "defunding police" and skyrocketing crime rates because lunatic leftists are more obsessed with masking-and-jabbing bullying, tree equity, bias training, distance learning, IRS snooping, mileage taxes, school indoctrination, gender-neutral toy aisles, sky-is-falling climate claptrap and other deranged drivel. Instead, you can read news 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 eight universities reaching Final Four at some point in their history - Jim Beattie (Dartmouth), Ralph Branca (NYU), Alvin Dark (Louisiana State), Buddy Myer (Mississippi State), Steve Renko (Kansas), Dave Robertson (North Carolina State), Moose Skowron (Purdue) and Randy Winn (Santa Clara) - made MLB news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 3 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 3

  • New York Yankees rookie RHP Jim Beattie (Dartmouth's top rebounder in 1974-75 when selected team MVP and honorable mention All-Ivy League) won opener of 1978 ALCS against the Kansas City Royals, yielding only two hits in 5 1/3 innings.

  • Brooklyn Dodgers RHP Ralph Branca (sixth-leading scorer for NYU in 1943-44) sustained his sixth setback of 1951 season against the New York Giants when Bobby Thomson hit "shot heard round the world" (three-run homer in bottom of ninth inning) to decide N.L. playoff. A single by SS Alvin Dark (hoops letterman for Louisiana State and Southwestern Louisiana during World War II) started the rally climaxed by Thomson's historic blast.

  • 1B George Crowe (four-year letterman from 1939-40 through 1942-43 for Indiana Central after becoming first high school player named state's "Mr. Basketball") traded by the Cincinnati Reds to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1958.

  • New York Yankees LHP Al Downing (attended Muhlenberg PA on basketball scholarship before leaving school for Organized Ball) stroked a single in eight of his last nine starts of 1964 campaign.

  • Jim Fanning (Buena Vista IA hooper in late 1940s) resigned as Montreal Expos manager in 1982.

  • Detroit Tigers LF Hank Greenberg (attended NYU briefly on hoops scholarship in 1929) smacked a homer off Dizzy Dean in an 8-3 setback against the St. Louis Cardinals in opener of 1934 World Series.

  • Baltimore Orioles RHP Dick Hall (averaged 12.8 ppg from 1948-49 through 1950-51 with Swarthmore PA for three Southern Division champions in MASC) earned the win with 4 2/3 innings of one-hit relief against the Minnesota Twins in opener of 1970 ALCS. Six years earlier, Hall improved his record to 9-1 by closing out the 1964 campaign with his 13th straight scoreless relief appearance.

  • Cleveland Indians LF David Justice (Thomas More KY assists leader in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg and 3.5 rpg) collected two doubles, including a two-run safety in eighth inning, in 2-1 win against the Boston Red Sox in Game 4 to clinch 1998 ALDS.

  • LHP Bill Krueger (led West Coast Athletic Conference in free-throw percentage as a Portland freshman in 1975-76) traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1988.

  • Chicago White Sox LHP Thornton Lee (Cal Poly hooper in 1925-26) tossed an 11-inning shutout against the St. Louis Browns in opener of 1937 twinbill.

  • Milwaukee Braves SS Johnny Logan (Binghamton hooper in 1948-49) smacked the first homer of 1957 World Series (third inning of Game 2 against New York Yankees).

  • In 1904, New York Giants RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) fanned 16 St. Louis Cardinals in a 3-1 triumph.

  • Washington Senators 2B Buddy Myer (Mississippi State hoops letterman in 1923-24) committed three errors in opener of 1933 World Series against the New York Giants.

  • RF Bill Nicholson (hooper for Washington College MD in mid-1930s) provided a two-run triple to fuel a four-run, first-inning outburst sparking the Chicago Cubs to 9-0 win against the Detroit Tigers in opener of 1945 World Series.

  • St. Louis Cardinals RHP Gil Paulsen (one of state's top hoopers in 1923 for Cornell College IA) made his lone big-league appearance, hurling two innings of scoreless relief against the Chicago Cubs in 1925.

  • Chicago White Sox OF Gary Redus (J.C. hooper for Athens AL and father of Centenary/South Alabama guard with same name) collected five RBI against the Oakland Athletics in a 1987 game.

  • Despite striking out seven consecutive New York Mets hitters, Montreal Expos RHP Steve Renko (averaged 9.9 ppg and 5.8 rpg as Kansas sophomore in 1963-64) had his record fall to 1-10 with a 5-2 defeat against Hall of Famer Tom Seaver in opener of 1972 doubleheader.

  • New York Giants RF Dave Robertson (one of two reserves on North Carolina State's first basketball team in 1911) went 4-for-4 in 1916 game against the Brooklyn Robins.

  • Brooklyn Dodgers LHP Preacher Roe (Harding AR hooper in late 1930s) registered a complete-game victory against the New York Yankees in Game 3 of 1952 World Series.

  • New York Yankees 1B Bill "Moose" Skowron (scored 18 points in eight games for Purdue in 1949-50) smashed three-run, first-inning homer to ignite a 5-1 Game 6 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1955 World Series.

  • Chicago Cubs RHP Lee Smith (averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg with Northwestern State in 1976-77) secured a save against the San Diego Padres in Game 2 of 1984 NLCS.

  • Tampa Bay Devil Rays CF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) ripped a grand slam in 6-2 triumph against the New York Yankees in 1999.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling October 2 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads and multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on October 2 in football at the professional level (especially in 1960):

OCTOBER 2

  • Indianapolis Colts TE Mo Alie-Cox (All-Atlantic 10 Conference third-team selection as junior averaged 7.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg and 1.8 bpg for VCU's four NCAA playoff teams from 2013-14 through 2016-17) contributed career highs of six pass receptions for 85 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-17 setback against the Tennessee Titans in 2022.

  • Cleveland Browns HB Bill Boedeker (teammate of DePaul All-American George Mikan in mid-1940s) opened game's scoring with a 74-yard touchdown reception from Otto Graham (hoops All-American for Northwestern in 1942-43 and 1943-44) in 42-7 win against the Los Angeles Dons in 1949.

  • Chicago Bears QB Ray Buivid (Marquette hoops letterman in 1935-36) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 28-6 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1938. One of them went to E Fred Dreher (Denver basketball letterman in 1937 and 1938).

  • Pittsburgh Steelers HB Lynn Chandnois (forward scored 15 points in 11 games for Michigan State in 1946-47 and 1947-48) rushed for two second-half touchdowns in a 27-26 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1955.

  • Chicago Cardinals B-PK John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern hoops letterman in 1916) had runs from scrimmage of 30 and 45 yards, ran for a touchdown, threw 33-yard TD pass and kicked two extra points in 20-0 win against the Minneapolis Marines in 1921.

  • In midst of four consecutive contests with at least 100 receiving yards, 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 132 yards in a 23-10 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2011.

  • Brooklyn Dodgers rookie B Jack Grossman (two-year Rutgers hoops letterman in early 1930s) scored game's only touchdowns with two pass receptions in a 14-0 win against the Boston Braves in 1932.

  • Green Bay Packers RB Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 28-9 win against the Detroit Lions in 1960.

  • Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw three touchdown passes in a 24-14 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1977.

  • Tennessee Titans TE Erron Kinney (averaged 2.5 ppg and 1.3 rpg in six basketball games for Florida in 1996-97 under coach Billy Donovan) supplied seven pass receptions in second consecutive contest in 2005.

  • Atlanta Falcons CB Rolland Lawrence (captain of Tabor KS hoops squad as senior in 1972-73) returned six punts a total of 82 yards in 17-3 win against the New York Giants in 1977.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 28-20 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1960.

  • Chicago Cardinals QB Dave Leggett (averaged 1.7 ppg for Ohio State from 1951-52 through 1953-54) threw his only NFL pass (an incompletion) in 28-17 win against the New York Giants in 1955.

  • St. Louis Rams WR Dane Looker (averaged 4.8 ppg as Western Washington freshman in 1995-96 and 10.2 ppg as sophomore in 1996-97 before transferring to Washington and concentrating on football) had a career-high eight pass receptions in 44-24 setback against the New York Giants in 2005.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 369 yards and three touchdowns in a 37-31 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2005. The next year, McNabb threw two third-quarter TD passes in a 31-9 win against the Green Bay Packers in 2006. In 2011 with the Minnesota Vikings, McNabb threw two TD passes in a 22-17 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs.

  • Detroit Lions TE Ulysses Norris (Georgia hooper in 1975-76) had a career-high five pass receptions in 21-10 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1983.

  • Baltimore Colts B John North (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1943) caught a 79-yard touchdown pass from Y.A. Tittle in fourth quarter of 35-28 AAFC win against the Buffalo Bills in 1949. Bills QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) had two second-half rushing TDs.

  • Philadelphia Eagles WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) had 11 pass receptions for 171 yards in a 37-31 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2005.

  • Green Bay Packers 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 an interception 49 yards for touchdown in 42-10 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 2014.

  • New York Titans WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught seven passes for 134 yards in a 37-35 AFL win against the Dallas Texans in 1960. Texans HB Jim Swink (averaged 5.8 ppg for TCU in 12 games in 1955-56) had a 32-yard pass reception and returned kickoff 36 yards.

  • Oakland Raiders RB Greg Pruitt (Oklahoma frosh hooper in 1969-70) returned a punt 97 yards for touchdown in 37-35 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1983.

  • Baltimore Colts rookie DB Herb Rich (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1947) returned a punt 86 yards for touchdown in 55-13 setback against the Chicago Cardinals in 1950. Cardinals E Bob Shaw (Ohio State hoops starter in 1942 and 1943) caught five TD passes.

  • Arizona Cardinals WR Patrick Robinson (starting guard for Tennessee State in 1990-91 when averaging 6.7 ppg and 2.9 apg) returned two kickoffs for 58 yards in a 17-7 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1994.

  • Denver Broncos S Al Romine (four-year hoops letterman from 1951-52 through 1954-55 for Florence State AL) returned an interception 18 yards in 31-14 AFL win against the Oakland Raiders in 1960. Broncos SE Lionel Taylor (led New Mexico Highlands in scoring average with 13.6 ppg in 1955-56 and 20.3 in 1956-57) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes from Frank Tripucka.

  • Baltimore Colts DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for Maryland-Eastern Shore) returned a kickoff 94 yards for touchdown in 42-7 win against the Chicago Bears in 1960.

  • New York Giants QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw three touchdown passes to Ron Johnson in a 27-12 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1972.

  • Washington Redskins E Hugh Taylor (led OCU in scoring with 11.4 ppg as senior in 1947) caught two touchdown passes (24 and 61 yards) in a 21-21 tie against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1953.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Providing MLB Headlines on October 2

Extra! Extra! Instead of cursing at pathological liar Plagiarist Biledumb's latest tall tale, DOJ AG Merrick "Don't Recollect" Garland or #Dimorat tax plan calling for IRS financial snooping on bank accounts while arming army of agents against everyday Americans, you can read news 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.

Ex-hoopers from five current and former Big East Conference members - Danny Coombs (Seton Hall), Walt Dropo (Connecticut), Bob Gibson (Creighton), Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati) and Birdie Tebbetts (Providence) - made MLB news on this date. Ex-Pasadena City Community College CA hoopers Darrell Evans and Jackie Robinson supplied notable offensive outputs on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 2 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 2

  • Chicago Cubs RHP Dale Alderson (All-Iowa Conference basketball selection for Upper Iowa in 1938-39 and 1939-40) lost his lone MLB decision (2-0 against Boston Braves in 1943).

  • Philadelphia Athletics LHP Stan Baumgartner (hooper for University of Chicago's Big Ten Conference champion in 1913-14) hurled a six-hit shutout against the New York Yankees in 1925, holding both Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig hitless.

  • RHP Ralph Branca (sixth-leading scorer for NYU in 1943-44) yielded the first pinch-hit homer in World Series history (by Yogi Berra of New York Yankees in 1947) but the Brooklyn Dodgers still prevailed in Game 3, 9-8. Two days earlier, Branca lost Game 1 when he was knocked out in the fifth inning.

  • Detroit Tigers C Arlo Brunsberg (hooper for Concordia College MN in late 1950s and early 1960s) belted a double - his lone MLB safety - in game against the Kansas City Athletics in 1966.

  • Los Angeles Dodgers CF Glenn Burke (averaged 16.3 ppg in six basketball games with Nevada-Reno in 1974-75) was credited with creating "the high five" by raising his hand over his head and having teammate Dusty Baker slap it after they belted back-to-back homers off Houston Astros ace J.R. Richard in 1977 regular-season finale.

  • New York Yankees OF Bob Cerv (ranked fourth on Nebraska's career scoring list in 1949-50 when finishing his career) pounded a pinch homer off the Brooklyn Dodgers' winning rookie RHP Roger Craig (forward with North Carolina State's 1949-50 freshman hoops team) in Game 5 of 1955 World Series.

  • Philadelphia Athletics C Mickey Cochrane (Boston University hooper in early 1920s) contributed both of his homers in 31 World Series contests in the first two outings against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1930.

  • CF Earle Combs (three-year hoops captain for Eastern Kentucky) clubbed a homer and scored four runs as the New York Yankees swept 1932 World Series by crushing the Chicago Cubs, 13-6. It was the Bronx Bombers' 12th straight WS game win.

  • In 1964, Houston Colt .45s LHP Danny Coombs (Seton Hall's third-leading scorer and rebounder as sophomore in 1961-62) notched his first MLB victory, holding the Los Angeles Dodgers scoreless over five innings as a starter.

  • Brooklyn Dodgers RHP Jack Coombs (hoops captain and starting center for Colby ME) tossed a shutout, beating the New York Giants for sixth time in as many decisions in 1916.

  • SS Alvin Dark (hoops letterman for Louisiana State and Southwestern Louisiana in mid-1940s) extended his World Series competition hitting streak to 12 in a row with three safeties in Game 4 as the New York Giants finished their sweep of the Cleveland Indians in 1954.

  • CF Larry Doby (reserve guard for Virginia Union's 1943 CIAA hoops titlist) contributed four hits as the Cleveland Indians assure themselves of a tie for 1948 A.L. title with an 8-0 triumph against the Detroit Tigers.

  • In 1950, Boston Red Sox 1B Walt Dropo (Connecticut's first player ever to average 20 points for season with 21.7 in 1942-43) became the first player to surpass 100 with more RBI (144) than games played (136).

  • Detroit Tigers 1B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club winning 1967 state community college crown) hammered his MLB-leading 40th homer in 1985, becoming the first player to reach such a plateau in each league (41 round-trippers for Atlanta Braves in 1973).

  • In the opener of the 1968 World Series, St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer in 1955-56 and 1956-57) outdueled 30-game winner Denny McLain, 4-0, and established a WS record by fanning 17 Detroit Tigers.

  • Cleveland Indians 1B Mike Hargrove (Northwestern Oklahoma State hoops letterman) went 4-for-4 against the Seattle Mariners in a 1985 contest.

  • 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) fired as New York Mets manager in 1983.

  • INF Irv Jeffries (posted team-high scoring average of 11.5 ppg for Kentucky in 1927-28) selected from St. Paul (American Association) by Cincinnati Reds in 1933 Rule 5 draft.

  • In 1966, Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman hoops squad in 1953-54) concluded his final season with career bests of 27 victories and 1.73 ERA. The previous year, Koufax finished with a single-season MLB-mark 382 strikeouts after fanning 13 Milwaukee Braves batters. In 1963 World Series opener, the first five batters he faced whiffed en route to 15 strikeouts in a 5-2 win against the New York Yankees.

  • San Francisco Giants RHP Frank Linzy (listed on Oklahoma State's freshman hoops roster in 1959-60) concluded his rookie campaign in 1965 amassing 15 straight relief appearances without yielding an earned run (covering 24 2/3 innings).

  • CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling a 35-3 record) supplied a homer to help the Cleveland Indians edge the New York Yankees, 4-3, in Game 3 of their 1998 A.L. playoff series.

  • Rookie RF Bud Metheny (hoops letterman for William & Mary from 1935-36 through 1937-38) belted a first-game homer against the St. Louis Browns to help power the New York Yankees to their 14th sweep of doubleheader in 1943.

  • New York Yankees rookie RHP Zach Monroe (played hoops briefly for Bradley in 1950-51) hurled one inning of relief against the Milwaukee Braves in Game 2 of 1958 World Series.

  • In 1960 season finale, Cleveland Indians RHP Jim Perry (averaged more than 20 ppg in late 1950s for former juco Campbell) posted his A.L.-leading fourth shutout (five-hitter against the Chicago White Sox) to notch league-high 18th victory.

  • Brooklyn Dodgers LF Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) registered a postseason career-high three hits in 3-2 win against the New York Yankees in Game 3 of 1953 World Series.

  • New York Yankees 3B Red Rolfe (Dartmouth varsity hooper in 1929-30) scored three runs in an 18-4 rout of the New York Giants in Game 2 of 1936 World Series.

  • Chicago Cubs LF Riggs Stephenson (Alabama hoops letterman in 1920) stroked four hits against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1929 contest.

  • Detroit Tigers C Birdie Tebbetts (Providence hooper in 1932) closed out the 1938 campaign with four multiple-hit games in a row.

  • C Wes Westrum (Bemidji State MN hooper one season before serving in military during WWII) supplied two sacrifice flies for the New York Giants to help them defeat the Cleveland Indians, 7-4, in Game 4 and sweep 1954 World Series.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling October 1 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads and multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on October 1 in football at the professional level (especially in 1961 and 1972):

OCTOBER 1

  • Cincinnati Bengals rookie LB James Francis (averaged 3 ppg and 3.6 rpg for Baylor basketball in 1986-87 and 1987-88) furnished two sacks for the second straight game in 1990.

  • Washington Redskins DB Dale Hackbart (averaged 4 ppg and 3.5 rpg in 10 contests for Wisconsin in 1958-59) returned an interception 48 yards for touchdown in 24-21 setback against the New York Giants in 1961. Redskins rookie QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw two first-quarter TD passes. Six years later with the Philadelphia Eagles, Snead threw four TD passes in a 34-24 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1967.

  • TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) caught touchdown pass with 34 seconds remaining to give the Baltimore Ravens a 16-13 win against the San Diego Chargers in 2006.

  • Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven hoop games for Clemson in 2010-11) had 10 pass receptions in a 57-14 win against the Tennessee Titans in 2017.

  • Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw three of his league-high 19 touchdown passes in a 24-23 setback against the New England Patriots in 1972.

  • Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 28-13 setback against the Baltimore Colts in 1955.

  • New York Giants DE George Martin (Oregon hoops teammate of freshman sensation Ron Lee in 1972-73) returned a blocked field goal 83 yards for touchdown in 23-20 setback against the Atlanta Falcons in 1978.

  • New York Jets rookie RB Elijah McGuire (collected 10 points and 13 rebounds in 16 basketball games for Louisiana-Lafayette in 2015-16) rushed for NFL career-high 93 yards - including 69-yarder for go-ahead touchdown in third quarter - in 23-20 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2017.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 311 yards - including two second-half touchdowns - in a 38-10 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 2000.

  • Baltimore Colts TE Tom Mitchell (averaged 6.1 ppg and 9.4 rpg in 10 basketball games for Bucknell in 1963-64) opened game's scoring with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Johnny Unitas in 17-0 win against the Buffalo Bills in 1972.

  • 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 two sacks in a 33-30 win against the New England Patriots in 2017.

  • Minnesota Vikings DB Dick Pesonen (two-year Minnesota-Duluth hoops letterman was starting guard in 1959-60) returned an interception 28 yards in 34-33 setback against the Baltimore Colts in 1961. Vikings E A.D. Williams (Pacific hoops letterman in mid-1950s) caught a seven-yard touchdown pass.

  • Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught 13 passes for 160 yards in a 28-19 setback against the New England Patriots in 2000.

  • Green Bay Packers rookie DB Rebel Steiner (three-year hoops letterman for Alabama in late 1940s) returned an interception 94 yards for touchdown in 31-21 win against the Chicago Bears in 1950.

  • Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) returned a fumble recovery 29 yards for touchdown in 31-16 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2000.

  • Green Bay Packers P Ron Widby (three-time All-SEC selection for Tennessee averaged 18.1 ppg and 8.4 rpg from 1964-65 through 1966-67) punted six times for 288 yards (48.0 average) in a 16-13 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1972. Teammate Vernon Vanoy (averaged 6.1 ppg and 4.9 rpg in 1966-67 and 1967-68 as Kansas teammate of Jo Jo White under coach Ted Owens), in his first start as DT, registered two sacks, got partial credit for a third and nearly got a fourth.

  • B Doug Wycoff (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1926) provided the Staten Island Stapletons' lone score with a 64-yard touchdown pass in fourth quarter in 7-7 tie with the Newark Tornadoes in 1930.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Providing MLB Headlines on October 1

Extra! Extra! Instead of deriding deranged #Dimorats trying to explain one of their own pulling fire alarm at U.S. Capitol, you can read news 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.

Three former hoopers from Louisiana universities - Walker Cress (LSU), Lee Smith (Northwestern State) and Cecil Upshaw (Centenary) - made N.L. pitching news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 1 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 1

  • California Angels RHP Mike Barlow (basketball player for Syracuse from 1967-68 through 1969-70) won his lone start in 1977, yielding only two hits in seven innings in a 4-1 decision over the Kansas City Royals.

  • Brooklyn Dodgers rookie RHP Joe Black (Morgan State hooper in mid-1940s) won 1952 World Series opener with six-hit, complete-game triumph (4-2 against New York Yankees). Black's only two starts during the regular season were his final two of 56 appearances.

  • RHP Ralph Branca (sixth-leading scorer for NYU in 1943-44) incurred loss for the Brooklyn Dodgers when they dropped first-ever N.L. playoff in 1946 at St. Louis, which got three hits from C Joe Garagiola.

  • 1B Herb Conyers (second-leading scorer for Central Missouri State in 1941-42 when earning All-MIAA first-team recognition) clobbered a homer during an eighth-inning, five-run rally to help propel the Cleveland Indians to 7-5 win against the Detroit Tigers in 1950.

  • Cincinnati Reds RHP Walker Cress (Louisiana State hoops letterman from 1936-37 through 1938-39) hurled a complete game but lost his lone MLB decision (2-1 against Pittsburgh Pirates in 1948).

  • Chicago White Sox RHP Charles "Slim" Embrey (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1921-22 and 1922-23) appeared in his lone MLB game in 1923.

  • After having only 66 regular-season at-bats, Chicago White Sox backup 3B Sammy Esposito (averaged 7 ppg in 1951-52 as starting guard under Indiana coach Branch McCracken) batted twice in an 11-0 victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1959 World Series opener.

  • Detroit Tigers 1B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club winning 1967 state community college crown) homered twice in a 1985 contest against the Toronto Blue Jays en route to an A.L.-high 40 round-trippers.

  • Los Angeles Dodgers C Joe Ferguson (hooper for Pacific's 1967 NCAA playoff team) collected six RBI in an 8-4 win against the San Francisco Giants in 1980.

  • San Francisco Giants RHP Bob Garibaldi (starting forward averaged 10.6 ppg and 5.6 rpg for Santa Clara in 1961-62) lost his lone MLB start (9-4 against San Diego Padres in 1969).

  • Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Joe Gibbon (two-time All-SEC forward for Ole Miss was nation's second-leading scorer as senior in 1956-57) went the distance winning his last three decisions of the 1961 campaign, including two shutouts (three-hitter and one-hitter).

  • Atlanta Braves RHP Kevin Gryboski (backup hooper for Wilkes PA in 1991-92 and 1992-93) registered a hold in Game 2 of 2003 NLDS against the Chicago Cubs. He was unscored upon in his first five NLDS relief appearances.

  • In the first game ever broadcast live coast-to-coast, RHP Jim Hearn (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1941-42) notched a career-high 17th triumph for the New York Giants in opener of 1951 N.L. playoff series against Branca and the Brooklyn Dodgers. Supporting Hearn with a homer was LF Monte Irvin (Lincoln PA hooper 1 1/2 years in late 1930s).

  • St. Louis Cardinals 2B Tommy Herr (hooper with Delaware's freshman team in 1974-75) went 4-for-4 in a 1986 game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

  • Brooklyn Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) contributed three hits and three RBI in an 8-5 triumph against the New York Yankees in Game 4 of 1955 World Series.

  • Wally Kopf (Dartmouth hoops letterman in 1919) collected his lone MLB hit, a single with the New York Giants as substitute for Hall of Fame third baseman Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain), in the nightcap of 1921 doubleheader against the Philadelphia Phillies.

  • Cincinnati Reds RF Earle "Greasy" Neale (West Virginia Wesleyan College hooper graduated in 1915) contributed three hits in a 9-1 success against the Chicago White Sox in opener of 1919 World Series.

  • Cincinnati Reds rookie LF Gary Redus (J.C. hooper for Athens AL and father of Centenary/South Alabama guard with same name) stole three bases in a 1982 game against the Houston Astros.

  • In his third start in five days, RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) defeated the Brooklyn Dodgers, 4-1, in 1950 as Whiz Kids clinched the Philadelphia Phillies' first pennant in 35 years. Roberts became first 20-game winner for the Phils since Grover Cleveland Alexander in 1917.

  • RHP Charlie Robertson (Austin College TX hooper before joining U.S. Army during WWI) selected by the Boston Braves from Milwaukee (American Association) in 1926 Rule 5 draft.

  • In a 1970 game, New York Mets rookie LF Ken Singleton (Hofstra freshman hoops team in mid-1960s) supplied the only two hits (both doubles) off Chicago Cubs standout Ferguson Jenkins.

  • St. Louis Cardinals RHP Lee Smith (averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg with Northwestern State in 1976-77) established N.L. record for most saves in a single season in 1991.

  • In 1954, OF Ted Tappe (leading scorer in 1949 NJCAA Tournament was Washington State's third-leading scorer the next year in 1949-50) traded by the Cincinnati Reds to the Chicago Cubs in a deal involving RHP Jim Willis (Northwestern State letterman in late 1940s).

  • In his MLB debut, Atlanta Braves RHP Cecil Upshaw (Centenary's leading scorer as junior in 1962-63) tossed three hitless innings of relief against the Cincinnati Reds in 1966.

  • Los Angeles Angels LF Leon Wagner (Tuskegee AL hooper in 1952-53) homered in each of his last four contests of 1961 campaign.

  • St. Louis Cardinals 1B Bill White (two-year hooper with Hiram OH in early 1950s) played the entire schedule in 1963.

Happy Birthday! October Celebration Dates for A-As & Hall of Fame Coaches

October is a special birth month for power-conference members from the state of Indiana (IU/Notre Dame/Purdue). The day celebrating the most birthdays this month for former All-Americans is October 7. Maryland (Keith Booth and Juan Dixon on 9th) plus Purdue (Dave Schellhase and John Wooden on 14th) each had two All-Americans born on the same day this month. Indiana (six) boasts the most A-As born this month. Following are birthdates in October for All-American players and Hall of Fame coaches:

OCTOBER

1: All-Americans Ralph Bishop (born in 1915/Washington), Dedric Lawson (1997/Kansas) and Dick Nemelka (1943/Brigham Young).
2: All-Americans Dick Barnett (1936/Tennessee State), Erwin Dudley (1981/Alabama), Matt Freije (1981/Vanderbilt) and Shane Larkin (1992/Miami FL).
3: All-Americans John Mandic (1919/Oregon State), Arnold Short (1932/Oklahoma City) and John Vallely (1948/UCLA).
4: All-Americans A.C. Green (1963/Oregon State), Steve Green (1953/Indiana), Derrick Rose (1988/Memphis), Hubert "Hub" Reed (1936/Oklahoma City), Eddie Riska (1919/Notre Dame) and Kurt Thomas (1972/Texas Christian) plus Hall of Fame coach Marv Harshman (1917/Washington State and Washington).
5: All-Americans Omar "Bud" Browning (1911/Oklahoma), Rex Chapman (1967/Kentucky), Grant Hill (1972/Duke), Bob Lloyd (1945/Rutgers), Eddie Oram (1914/Southern California) and Cody Zeller (1992/Indiana).
6: All-Americans Jordan Hamilton (1990/Texas), Herbert Jones (1998/Alabama), Tommy Kearns (1936/North Carolina) and Ken Spain (1946/Houston).
7: All-Americans Frank Baumholtz (1918/Ohio University), Bill Ebben (1935/Detroit), Alex Groza (1926/Kentucky), Damion James (1987/Texas), Hal Lee (1910/Washington), Willie Naulls (1934/UCLA), Anthony Jordan "A.J." Price (1986/Connecticut), Bobby Speight (1930/North Carolina State) and Nik Stauskas (1993/Michigan).
8: All-Americans Grayson Allen (1995/Duke) and Sid Tanenbaum (1925/NYU).
9: All-Americans Kenny Anderson (1970/Georgia Tech), Keith Booth (1974/Maryland), Juan Dixon (1978/Maryland), Jerian Grant (1992/Notre Dame), Arnie Risen (1924/Ohio State) and Andy Zimmer (1919/Indiana) plus Hall of Fame coach Danny Miles (1945/Oregon Tech).
10: All-Americans Reggie Carter (1957/St. John's), Rod Foster (1960/UCLA), Derrick McKey (1966/Alabama), H.L. "Ike" Poole (1915/Arkansas), Scottie Reynolds (1987/Villanova), Martin Rolek (1915/Minnesota) and Gus Williams (1953/Southern California).
11: All-Americans Dwight Davis (1949/Houston), Darrall Imhoff (1938/California) and Salim Stoudamire (1982/Arizona) plus Hall of Fame coach Howard Cann (1895/NYU).
12: All-American Jack Marin (1944/Duke).
13: All-Americans Derek Harper (1961/Illinois), Paul Pierce (1977/Kansas), Glenn "Doc" Rivers (1961/Marquette) and Bob "Zeke" Zawoluk (1930/St. John's).
14: All-Americans John Azary (1929/Columbia), Jules "Skip" Harlicka (1946/South Carolina), Jim Jackson (1970/Ohio State), Dave Schellhase (1944/Purdue) and DeJuan Wheat (1973/Louisville) plus All-American (1910/Purdue)/Hall of Fame coach John Wooden (Indiana State and UCLA).
15: All-Americans Arron Afflalo (1985/UCLA), Steve Harris (1963/Tulsa) and Jakob Poltl (1995/Utah).
16: All-Americans Mel Counts (1941/Oregon State), Dave DeBusschere (1940/Detroit), Bill Menke (1918/Indiana), Roger Phegley (1956/Bradley) and Mike Sojourner (1953/Utah).
17: All-American Danny Ferry (1966/Duke).
18: All-Americans Terry Furlow (1954/Michigan State), John Johnson (1947/Iowa) and Don Smith (1910/Pittsburgh).
19: All-Americans Brad Daugherty (1965/North Carolina), Lionel Hollins (1953/Arizona State), Bill Melchionni (1944/Villanova) and Luke Witte (1950/Ohio State).
20: All-Americans Devin Durrant (1960/Brigham Young), Tony Hanson (1955/Connecticut), Jerald Honeycutt (1974/Tulane), Lawrence Roberts (1982/Mississippi State) and Kyle Wiltjer (1992/Gonzaga).
21: All-Americans Damon Bailey (1971/Indiana), Gene Englund (1917/Wisconsin), Billy Hassett (1921/Notre Dame), Vern Mikkelsen (1928/Hamline MN) and Shelden Williams (1983/Duke).
22: All-American Jim Bredar (1931/Illinois).
23: All-American Keith Van Horn (1975/Utah).
25: All-Americans Zelmo Beaty (1939/Prairie View A&M), Dave Cowens (1948/Florida State), Dan Issel (1948/Kentucky), Jock Landale (1995/Saint Mary's) and Michael Sweetney (1982/Georgetown) plus Hall of Fame coach Bob Knight (1940/Army, Indiana and Texas Tech).
26: All-Americans Howard Carter (1961/Louisiana State), Nick Collison (1980/Kansas), Dick Dickey (1926/North Carolina State), "Hot" Rod Hundley (1934/West Virginia), Joe C. Meriweather (1953/Southern Illinois) and Willie Smith (1953/Missouri) plus Hall of Fame coach Hugh Durham (1937/Florida State, Georgia and Jacksonville).
27: All-Americans Lonzo Ball (1997/UCLA) and Evan Turner (1988/Ohio State).
28: All-Americans Charles Bassey (2000/Western Kentucky), Dave Downey (1941/Illinois), Lenny Wilkens (1937/Providence) and Randy Wittman (1959/Indiana).
29: All-Americans Dick Garmaker (1932/Minnesota), Hal Haskins (Hamline MN), Hollis Price (1979/Oklahoma), John Stroud (1957/Mississippi) and Danny Vranes (1958/Utah).
30: All-Americans Mike Daum (1995/South Dakota State), Don Meineke (1930/Dayton) and Keith Swagerty (1945/Pacific) plus Hall of Fame coach Ben Carnevale (1915/North Carolina and Navy).
31: All-Americans Cole Aldrich (1988/Kansas), John Lucas II (1953/Maryland) and Clifford Rozier (1972/Louisville) plus Hall of Fame coach Dale Brown (1935/Louisiana State).

Birthdays in January for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in February for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in March for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in April for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in May for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in June for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in July for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in August for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in September for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in October for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in November for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in December for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling September 30 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads and multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on September 30 in football at the professional level (especially in 1973):

SEPTEMBER 30

  • Boston Redskins RB Cliff Battles (four seasons of varsity hoops for West Virginia Wesleyan) contributed a 75-yard rushing touchdown against the Brooklyn Dodgers in a 1934 game. A 22-yard TD catch by Paul Riblett (Penn hoops letterman in early 1930s) from Chris Cagle (four-year letterman for USL and Army in mid-1920s) in fourth quarter gave the Dodgers a 10-6 win.

  • Kansas City Chiefs DE Buck Buchanan (earned hoops letter as Grambling freshman in 1958-59) intercepted a pass in 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 season opener.

  • Dallas Texans QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw three second-half touchdown passes in a 41-21 AFL win against the Buffalo Bills in 1962.

  • Chicago Cardinals B-PK John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern hoops letterman in 1916) kicked a 47-yard field goal for the game's only score in 3-0 win against the Buffalo All-Americans in 1923.

  • 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. Five years later with the Green Bay Packers, Graham opened the game's scoring with a TD pass reception from Aaron Rodgers in 22-0 victory against the Buffalo Bills in 2018.

  • 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.

  • Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven hoop games for Clemson in 2010-11) caught 10 passes for 169 yards in a 37-34 win against the Indianapolis Colts in 2018.

  • 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 29-20 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1962.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Bill Mackrides (Nevada-Reno hoops letterman in 1944) opened game's scoring with a 22-yard touchdown pass in 17-14 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1951 season opener.

  • 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 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.

  • Baltimore Colts TE Tom Mitchell (averaged 6.1 ppg and 9.4 rpg in 10 basketball games for Bucknell in 1963-64) opened game's scoring with a touchdown pass reception from Bert Jones in 14-10 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1973.

  • Chicago Hornets B Ray Ramsey (Bradley's top hoops scorer in 1941-42 and 1942-43) had a 77-yard touchdown reception in 42-24 AAFC setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1949.

  • 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. Rookie TE Billy Joe Dupree (scored four points in total of four basketball games for Michigan State in 1971-72) caught three touchdown passes for the Cowboys.

  • 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.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Providing MLB Headlines on September 30

Extra! Extra! No joke! Instead of assessing worthiness of a public-school education after more than 81 million "suspicious activity" Americans had petty Plagiarist Biledumb "on top of mind" by voting for incoherent "big guy" (excess of 15 million more votes than orator Obama in Bathhouse Barry's first term in Oral Office), you can read news 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 for three different Big Apple universities - Hank Greenberg (NYU), Buddy Hassett (Manhattan) and Joe Zapustas (Fordham) - plus two IL small four-year colleges (Bill Conroy of Illinois Wesleyan and Roe Skidmore of Millikin) and two Pasadena City Community College alums (Irv Noren and Jackie Robinson) 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 30 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 30

  • Detroit Tigers RHP Elden Auker (All-Big Six first-five basketball selection with Kansas State in 1931-32) closed out his 1933 rookie campaign with a four-hit shutout against the Cleveland Indians.

  • RHP Mike Barlow (Syracuse substitute from 1967-68 through 1969-70) shipped by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Houston Astros in 1975 to complete an earlier deal.

  • Pittsburgh Pirates 1B Donn Clendenon (four-sport letterman with Morehouse GA) collected four hits against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1961 game.

  • C Bill Conroy (Illinois Wesleyan hooper in early 1930s) selected by Boston Red Sox in 1941 Rule 5 draft.

  • In 1967, Houston Astros LHP Danny Coombs (Seton Hall's third-leading scorer and rebounder as sophomore in 1961-62) posted his third relief victory in as many decisions in a 19-day span.

  • Roger Craig (forward with North Carolina State's 1949-50 freshman hoops team) fired as San Diego Padres manager in 1979.

  • LF Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoops scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) smacked a ninth-inning grand slam against the St. Louis Browns on final day of 1945 campaign to clinch A.L. pennant for the Detroit Tigers.

  • New York Yankees 1B Buddy Hassett (hooper for Manhattan teams winning school-record 17 consecutive games in 1930 and 1931) twice knocked in Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio with safeties in a 7-4 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in opener of 1942 World Series.

  • In 1975, 1B-OF Doug Howard (All-WAC second-team selection with Brigham Young in 1968-69 and 1969-70) shipped by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Cleveland Indians to complete an earlier deal.

  • OF-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 a homer against the New York Yankees in the Senators' final game in Washington in 1971.

  • Chicago Cubs RF Bill Nicholson (hoops guard for Washington College MD two years in mid-1930s) tripled twice against the Boston Braves in a 1943 contest.

  • OF Irv Noren (hooper of year for California junior college state champion Pasadena City in 1945) purchased from the Brooklyn Dodgers by the Washington Senators for $50,000 in 1949.

  • OF Curtis Pride (led William & Mary in steals three seasons and in assists twice from 1986-87 through 1989-90) smacked a pinch, two-run homer for the Montreal Expos in the top of ninth inning in 1993. Pride's blast was the difference in a 5-3 win against the Florida Marlins.

  • Setting the stage for a 1951 playoff with the New York Giants, INF Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in PCC both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) ripped an upper-deck homer in the 14th inning off Philadelphia Phillies Hall of Fame RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47), giving the Brooklyn Dodgers a 9-8 victory. Five years later, New York Giants rookie 1B Bill White (played two years with Hiram OH in early 1950s) whacked two homers off Roberts in the opener of a 1956 twinbill while Robinson homered in his final MLB game.

  • New York Mets RF Ken Singleton (Hofstra freshman hoops team in mid-1960s) homered twice in the 1971 season finale against the St. Louis Cardinals.

  • Utilityman Roe Skidmore (scored 41 points for Millikin IL in game against Illinois College on 1-28-66) shipped by Cincinnati Reds to St. Louis Cardinals in 1973 to complete a deal made two months earlier.

  • Chicago White Sox DH Jim Thome (juco hooper for Illinois Central in 1988-89) accounted for the game's lone tally with solo homer in 2008 season finale against the Minnesota Twins.

  • Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Bob Veale (scored 1,160 points from 1955-56 through 1957-58 with Benedictine KS) amassed 16 strikeouts and eight walks in 12 1/3 innings against the Cincinnati Reds in 1964.

  • St. Louis Cardinals rookie RHP Ray Washburn (Whitworth WA scoring leader in 1958-59 and 1959-60 when named All-Evergreen Conference) earned his first MLB victory with a five-hit, complete-game 12-2 decision over the Philadelphia Phillies in 1961.

  • INF Whitey Wietelmann (hoops captain for Muskingum OH in mid-1940s) traded by the Boston Braves to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1946.

  • Philadelphia Phillies OF Cy Williams (Notre Dame forward in 1909-10) contributed two of his NL-leading 41 homers in a 6-4 win against the Brooklyn Robins in 1923.

  • 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 with two homers against the Arizona Diamondbacks in a 2005 game.

  • Philadelphia Athletics LF Joe Zapustas (Fordham hoops letterman in 1932-33) secured his lone MLB hit (single against Boston Red Sox in nightcap of 1933 doubleheader).

War on Women: Why Can't NCAA Hoops Halt Widespread Abuse of Females?

Not again! An ugly topic raised its head once more this fall when Texas transfer Arterio Morris was dismissed from Kansas' program following the guard's arrest on a rape allegation (prosecutors dropped case following spring citing insufficient evidence). Lawrence, Kan., was also the location for another rape allegation involving Illinois standout Terrence Shannon Jr. when Texas Tech transfer attended a football game there in early September 2023 (found not guilty in spring of 2024 following week-long trial). If there was any due diligence involving Morris' checkered background, the Jayhawks should have had him under constant surveillance. But perennial Top 10 teams think they're immune to criticism and simply go about their business however in hell they want to be "comfortable" assembling a roster to remain among the elite. A couple of summers ago marked nearly half of Michigan State's All-Big Ten Conference first-team selections this century running afoul of the law or involved in unseemly lawsuits/incidents after Miles Bridges faced felony domestic violence charge following accusation of assaulting his girlfriend in front of their two children (pleaded no contest when sentenced to serve three years of probation). Bridges, who is also a rapper under the name RTB MB, previously was fined $50,000 for striking a fan with a mouthpiece.

Out of eligibility or not, a campaign can't go by without having to wade through college basketball's corrosive "Cradles of Criminals" cesspool. A couple of years ago, former Notre Dame assistant coach Ryan Ayers was charged with three counts of voyeurism and one count of domestic violence. Charges involved his relationships with two women over a four-year span where he allegedly recorded them, without their consent, naked or while having sex with them. Ayers, who averaged 6.5 ppg and 2.4 rpg for UND from 2005-06 through 2008-09 under ex-coach Mike Brey, is also said to have hit one of the females in the face during an altercation in his car. Son of former Ohio State/Philadelphia 76ers coach Randy Ayers abruptly left the less-than-candid Fighting Irish program at start of 2020-21 school year "to pursue opportunities (to do heaven or impish leprechaun knows what) elsewhere." The state's subsequent motion to dismiss charges came after prosecutors twice asked a superior court judge to recuse himself from the case for allegedly making inappropriate comments about an accuser and photographic evidence in the case.

It wasn't that long ago when Georgetown's roster was depleted when majority of four exiting players departed due to off-the-court transgressions. The "hood" ornaments of self-indulgence striving to bask in glory of Hoya Paranoia heroes such as Allen Iverson and Victor Page drove away without admission of or finding of guilt regarding sexual harassment and assault charges in mid-September including FaceTime "we'll send people after you" threat and complaint that one of the suspects "showed her his erect clothed penis." One of the female accusers expressed fear for her safety and her roommate's safety, alleging assault and battery plus theft of personal property (Playstation 4, Nikon camera among other items with value of $1,625). Seems as if ex-Hoyas coach Patrick Ewing should have taken his "G-men" scholars on "cultural" field trip to g-string Atlanta strip club, where former All-American center admitted twice having oral sex with dancers compliments of the club owner according to testimony in a racketeering trial. At a "bare-it-all" minimum, Ewing could conduct free #MeToo seminar explaining to his pupils how abusing women similar to Georgetown graduate William Jefferson Clinton could be detrimental to their careers if facing an authentic impeachment. Perhaps by now the inept #MessMedia, including "unbiased" Clinton lackey George Step-on-the-truth-to-us and his throat-slitting gesture on ABC to cut input from Donald Trump lawyer, discerned who blew past him as #SickWillie's "whistle" blower relieving his anxieties.

Amid the incessant indiscretions at NCAA DI level, there should be a GoFundMe account for those offended whenever self-promoting mother/daughter duo Gloria Allred and Lisa Bloom - women's rights lawyers/extortionists "extraordinaire" - hit the airwaves with doctored evidence and therapeutic crying towels. Prior to making Prince Andrew profusely sweat, boisterous Bloom sought to solicit cash from donors and media outlets for accusers of sexual misconduct alleged about #TheDonald. Unscrupulous Bloom, affiliating with demented demagogue David Brock, offered to sell the victims' Pay-to-Say tales while wanting to pocket a portion for herself as a commission. She persuaded a Democratic donor to pay off one accuser's flip-flopping make-up artist mortgage and tried to get a hefty six-figure payday for a hospitalized woman who eventually declined to come forward despite exponentially-increasing offers up to $750,000. Read Bloom's disgusting emails and text messages if you want to lose your lunch and get an urge to recycle leech lawyer jokes. Misguided Allred/Bloom tandem should make themselves useful by keeping mouths fulls of fellow insufferable Left Coast lunatics/swamp mistresses #NannyPathetic and #MadMaxine via "fohty-five" scoops of #Dimorat diva deluxe (im)peach ice cream.

At any rate, which sexual-deviant B.C. (Bill Clinton or Bill Cosby) should be designated BC (Biggest Conniver)? Moreover, which BCs (Basketball Coaches) should be sued for BC (Bringing to Campus) so many BCs (Bad Characters)? Beyond Clinton's Oral Office, is nothing sacred as father-figure Cosby's silence about numerous female accusations spoke volumes before and as his sexual assault retrial unfolded? We'll never think of Fat Albert and Jell-O pudding in the same way after hearing about a settlement and conviction involving former Temple women's basketball staffer Andrea Constand and Cosby, the school's most famous alumnus. Standards depend upon how much one donates to a university on or off the court/field. Temple's indifferent brass, apparently much too fond of Jello-O pudding samples or Quaaludes lethargic, kept Cosby as a member of its Board of Trustees while many other entities dropped Dr. Huxtable off a cliff quicker than a Ferguson or Baltimore thief mishandling a liquor bottle scampering out of a looted convenience store hurdling debris like an aging track star fantasizing about an aphrodisiac drink. The Cosby Show was finally cancelled as a TU Trustee after Thanksgiving before degenerate's striking number of accusers formed a cathartic coalition. Cigars stored elsewhere, perv prez Clinton must have a freezer full of Jell-O pops spiked with "distinguishing-characteristic" Quaaludes provided by admirer Cos, going blind from who knows what as his attack-dog legal team assaulted his victims again. Have you woke-wondered if #SickWillie's attorney with wallet full of his sex-dollar bills was immersed in negotiating #HarveySwinestein's contract tolerating sexual harassment by acknowledging prospect of pathetic pig, supported by Bloom, paying Cosmic settlements to aggrieved women? #Swinestein had millions of reasons invested in a recent massage-my-ego project.

Excluding slip-and-fall ambulance chasers, what self-respecting attorney would contemplate representing repulsive rollator-requiring #Swinestein? If Jimmy Carter felt comfortable smiling while criticizing "we-know-what-has-to-be-done," then there is an absolute absence of mentally-tough authentic leaders. The NFL essentially ignored domestic violence until Candid Camera delivered demonstrable deviance igniting a cover-up. In sports, what the "presstitutes" miss is that zero tolerance for the troubling "War on Women" needs to be addressed in high school and college before the lack of a moral compass reaches the green room for pink-ribbon and pink-shoe donning pros. Actually, Allred and Bloom missed the boat dwelling on celebrities and politicians when they could have made a fortune focusing on college sports during and after scholars were big man on campus. For instance, former Arkansas State guard Arthur Agee Jr., featured in documentary Hoop Dreams (1994 Oscar-nominated film following prep players in Chicago) was accused of punching a woman in mid-November 2017, causing her to incur three fractured ribs (charges subsequently dropped). In 2018, UMBC earned national acclaim by becoming the first #16 seed to defeat a #1 seed (Virginia) but the Retrievers didn't receive similar headlines only four years earlier when four members of team allegedly gang raped a female athlete at a dormitory in late summer. The deliberate debauchery has existed for decades. Fifty years ago, Pan American was investigated regarding a sexually explicit interracial photo album used in recruitment. Any idea why a Florida State cheerleader reportedly traveled with a Seminoles assistant coach to Chicago in the late 1970s on recruiting trip pursuing guard Raymond McCoy?

Only heaven knew where tawdry allegations would end up in aftermath of legal "Hoop Nightmare" maneuverings against former Memphis guard Derrick Rose, Sacramento Mayor/Depreciated Democrat Kevin Johnson and OTL investigative reporting about Michigan State's pill-pushing Cosby wannabees. Rose, hoop royalty speaking with all the credibility of "sweating-and-learning" Prince Andrew explaining friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, testified he was taught at the NBA's rookie camp to take used condoms with him after sex. Cynically, coach John Calipari could have been referring to Rose's group-effort escapades several years ago when saying "he (great kid) is taking better care of his body than at any other point during his career." Other observers digesting trial accounts of possible Lamar Odom/Tristan Thompson (Kardashi)can-chasing wannabee might view him as the youngest MVP (Most Vile Pervert) in NBA history or that Karma is a bitch when it came to his series of injuries.

Unless you are progressive puke approving of Bernie Sanders' rape-fantasy essay and completely ignore Tara Reade's accusations regarding #Plagiarist Biledumb going farther than hair-sniffing when not on speaker phone with business partner son hideous Hunter, shouldn't there be more reflexive concern for victims rather than impact on roster of team with alleged criminal? According to FBI, about 70% of domestic violence probes fail to result in criminal cases. Those figures coincide with estimates claiming about 2/3 of sexual assault charges involving soup-kitchen college athletes are dropped or not filed similar to couple of TCU hoopers in 2006; multiple Syracuse hoopers in fall of 2007 carrying on SU tradition stemming from bizarre incident involving Villanova cheerleader at 1982 Big East Tournament in Hartford; St. John's players attending a strip club to drown their sorrows following loss at Pittsburgh in 2004; two Michigan State freshmen playing mini-hoop version of strip poker during orientation in fall of 2010 plus three apparently wayward scholars "running a train" in spring of 2015; a Washington player probed in 2010-11; pair of Providence freshman "players" several seasons ago on the heels of recruiting rot revealed upon dismissal of leading scorer after 2009-10 campaign; Wake Forest band member allegation after 2009 NCAA playoff upset defeat against Cleveland State in Miami, and salacious Kansas sexcapade in dormitory housing hoopers relieving stress "running away" from studying for final exams in mid-December 2016. Criminal charges also weren't filed at KU stemming from an alleged elevator exposure incident in mid-May 2007. In light of Marquette failing to report multiple messy incidents to Milwaukee police, can you begin to fathom how many times monopolistic schools covered up "Boys Gone Wild" indiscretions with get-out-of-trouble-free cards to keep rap sheets shorter than stat sheets? If in idealistic denial, read accounts regarding raunchy book written by Kyle Fuller, a starting guard in previous decade for Vanderbilt, the so-called "Harvard of the South."

Forfeiting any recruiting dignity, the MSU and PC freshman felonious activity coupled with Minnesota's frosh porn-star tryout in 2015-16 and Louisville's "Thrill in the Ville" indicate that, at the very least, schools need to improve their background checks. In an era where athletic departments solely review accusations against their own, statistics show disturbing pattern of inaction where athletes are convicted at a much lower rate than the general population. According to a USA Today study during a trial involving wayward Kobe Bryant, prominent athletes are much less likely to be convicted of sexual assault than the average citizen. Consider this stark statistical comparison: 2/3 of the public-at-large is convicted when charged with sexual assault while 2/3 of prominent athletes are exonerated in similar allegations involving the brotherhood of scumbags. Accordingly, can you imagine how many self-serving boosters (such as Sam Gilbert at UCLA) and coaches helped orchestrate and underwrite abortions since Roe vs. Wade decision? Naked thought is as ugly as #Hollyweird mosaic of male celebs exposed as sexual abusers the last few years.

Public-at-large has virtually become numb to the seemingly never-ending sordid shenanigans such as Saint Louis having multiple players suspended for 1 1/2 to 2 years and another expelled before prize prospect Jordan Goodwin was sanctioned stemming from an on-campus apartment incident concluding with three women telling police they were sexually assaulted. Earlier in the decade, SLU had its top two players dropped from the Billikens' roster amid similar accusations. Michigan State's poor judgment, including redacting information on public records to a point where the material became useless, wasn't restricted to basketball obfuscation in order to try to maintain national acclaim. Reports of sexual misconduct by disgraced Dr. Larry Nassar reached at least 14 MSU representatives in two decades before his arrest. MSU is an inspiration to mediocrities everywhere. It missed multiple opportunities to halt Nassar, a graduate of its osteopathic medical school who also served as USA Gymnastics national team doctor while reportedly molesting more than 250 girls and women under the guise of treating them for pain. Circling the wagons before settling with survivors for $500 million, MSU's purported concern for victims included spending $500,000 for dig-up-dirt/peeping Tom monitoring of some of their social media accounts along with journalists. But Spartan Nation has always been suspect, if not textbook lax, in regard to accountability going back to All-American guard Scott Skiles, the nation's second-leading scorer in 1985-86 who incurred two DUI arrests, a drug possession arrest, two jail sentences and 18 days in jail during a 16-month span in mid-1980s. As a result of these numerous indiscretions, Skiles received a whopping one-game suspension. What "train" engineering courses do athletes with "loco-motives" take at maniacal MSU? Manhood Selfie 101 (like Snap-chat sensation Draymond Green). Who do these vain denizens think they are? As Amazon irresistible as #WashingtonCompost owner Jeff Bezos and his intimate texts to girlfriend? Thus, it was no surprise ESPN unearthed that aroused MSU athletes were about three times as likely as other students to be accused of sexual misconduct or domestic violence in complaints made at the "institution." In the aftermath of 2015 Final Four appearance, several Spartan players lured a female student back to their apartment under false pretenses from a local bar and took turns having their way with her. In late February 2021, a judge dismissed a Title IX complaint despite saying case met criteria of incident of actionable sexual harassment and the school's actual knowledge of it.

Tortured observers needed "other stuff" treatment after listening to and watching image-protecting hoops icon Tom Izzo's painful healing and support-for-survivors post-game weasel words weekend following retirement/resignation of school prez and AD. If Izzo has a "part-of-life" soul, he should donate his "sole" income (sneaker endorsement money) to victims of recruits he brought to campus (including post-MSU career) and/or help underwrite MSU paying ESPN's attorneys' fees after Michigan courts ruled the university violated open-records laws. Izzo's contacting witness before school in another sordid incident and unsettling silence was interrupted by seemingly rehearsed remarks such as "I can do whatever I want to do" resembling Slick Rick's smug trivialization during "get your fill in the Ville" than "we'll cooperate with any investigation and always have." Among the things a good Christian man like Izzo might "want to do" is religiously meet with FBI-indicted agent Christian Dawkins to go over their donation endeavors. For candor's sake, let us hope an undergraduate assistant coach didn't live in Izzo's basement completing his degree the season Izzo said he couldn't recall why a rare three-year captain exited the program. Was Izzo also unaware of captain/undergrad aide's child support order? By the way, what is the deal with becoming MSU captain or Final Four "playmaker" in the last 20 years? Did stress of duty contaminate Bridges, Mateen Cleaves, Charlie Bell, Travis Walton, Korie Lucious and Keith Appling or did they wash down idiot pills with toxic tap water from Flint? Something sinister surely is in state's water after Michigan and MSU each had an All-American with multiple Final Deplore appearances sued by women claiming they gave them herpes as NBA players. STD seems to have also infected fellow Big Ten Conference member Purdue if lawsuit involving center Isaac Haas had any merit. Enterprising engineering students apparently should have invested more time and energy helping Haas with a different pliable and protective appendage sleeve than designing brace for his fractured right elbow. What could possibly be the genesis for these raw animalistic instincts? UM physician Robert E. Anderson engaged in sexual misconduct (multiple forms of inappropriate examinations) with patients on countless occasions. Dr. "Drop Your Drawers" Anderson worked in various capacities at the university between 1966 and 2003. Other names by which student-athletes referred to him included "Handy Andy," "Goldfinger" and "Dr. Handerson."

After MSU's gymnastics coach was charged with lying about her knowledge of sexual assault complaints, Izzo exhibited similar lack of candor. Amid the airing-of-dirty-laundry debris including an "entitled" walk-on, it didn't appear prudent to put much stock in arousal-discretion dialogue from Earvin Johnson. But MSU's most famous alumnus (even more than ex-ESPN egomaniac #KneelWithJemele) lectured nation as if he was male version of Oprah by calling for the firing of any employee who failed to report sexual assault allegations on campus to the proper authorities. Consider the ravenous source insofar as Johnson admitted his Magical Mystery Tour sexual frivolity included sleeping with 300 to 500 partners per year (entertainment venue featured the Los Angeles Lakers' locker room and sauna). How many enablers resembling "Clintonistas" such as Betty "Hoover" Curry and former DePauw (Ind.) hooper Vernon Jordan, perhaps humming "Do You Believe in Magic?", facilitated indulgence over the decades of decadence? Of course, this great feat of Magic paled in comparison to legendary Wilt Chamberlain's community partnership claim to bedding 20,000 women from coast to coast before and after son of janitor left Philly to drive around the Kansas plains in a souped-up red and white Oldsmobile convertible (with license plate BIG DIPPER) not all that far from NCAA headquarters at the time. "I feel sorry for the Stilt," wrote New York Daily Mirror columnist Leonard Lewin. "When he enters the NBA, he'll have to take a cut in salary." Truth be told, the LA (Lay All) Lakers' debauchery and Olympian appetite for copulation likely didn't originate there; "littering" simply escalated on free-love Left Coast. Perhaps it is time to allow sanctuary-sick and homeless-infested California to go ahead and secede before U.S. version of salty Sodom and Gomorrah turns into bankrupted ruins. Don't look back!

Distributing pain to anyone with belief system, disturbing allegations at Louisville (Chris Jones), Kansas (multiple players) and Duke (Rasheed Sulaimon and Corey Maggette) had their celebrated coaches either making comments as incoherent as their scholars or hiding under their desk memorizing athletic department versions of pleading the fifth. Minnesota and West Virginia endured similar unseemly "violation-of-team-rules" situations in the mid-1980s. Ditto Arizona State in the mid-1990s and priorities across the country haven't improved. Consider an Inside Higher Ed article written about a Syracuse dean facing dismissal for refusing to cover up an assault of a female student on campus by basketball players. Elsewhere, a culture concerning abuse of females frequently goes unchecked at sports factories reminiscent of group assault charges at Arkansas under coaches Nolan Richardson and John Pelphrey resulting in Ray Rice-like initial modest sanctions. UA probably failed to meet #MeToo college-town investigation standards in wake of late summer 2009 frat-house party incident when prosecutor was son-in-law of former athletic director Frank Broyles and brother-in-law of athletic department spokesman. Did the tumult really change much under coach Mike Anderson, who also had more than his share of undignified problem children at Missouri before moving on to St. John's until cast adrift after last season?

Only one in five college-aged female students report their assaults to law enforcement. There are words and there are actions as well as "tough" guys and "cool" guys in this criminal "no-means-no" emphasis. One-sided co-ed boxing apparently needs to get personal before the player-predator issue penetrates thick skulls in establishment media and cavalier campuses. For instance, ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale, obsessed with "payday" and "cash" as always, tweeted he doesn't "dig actions away from ring but he (Floyd Mayweather Jr.) is an all-time great." Well, let's "dig" on one easy hipster wannabee layup straight from the grandstanding opening bell. Unless mindset of role model/ex-analyst Dancin' Ray contaminated network judgment across the sports spectrum including Screamin' A. Stiff, no one with an extensive history of domestic abuse charges such as misfit Mayweather should be designated an all-time great in any way, shape or form with or without a cover-your-fanny-like-commish qualifier. Ditto for Florida State's troubled Jameis Winston, who Vitale tweeted was "great to have on your side on Saturday" (at least until Nike severed its relationship with QB before promoting kneeling knucklehead #ColonKrapernick).

Presumably, Dickie V didn't mean late Saturday night with him and Uber driver or at any sort of Winston post-college game celebration leaving an accuser susceptible to dragging through the mud one way or the other (perhaps on a scooter). In a textbook example of Buc-kissing shilling, Vitale bragged about Shameless Jameis joining him at gala in Tampa Bay QB's first appearance as NFL player before the university settled with Winston's accuser for $950,000 in the spring of 2016. Methinks Vitale knows little, if anything, about FSU "football-fixer" associate AD who served time in prison for cocaine distribution. The general public's prevailing ignorance resembles failing to acknowledge the corrupt Clintons' "War on Women" exemplified by #ShrillaryRotten's faith advisor.

If the holier-than-thou press is so concerned about PC-police nickname changing, perhaps they should encourage schools to be more accurate with monikers such as Auburn Whore Eagles, Bailor Needed For Bad News Bears, Cincinnati Barely Can Read 'Cats, UConn Artists, Florida Maters, Florida State Sininoles, Georgetown Beatdowns, Indiana Booziers, Kansas Jailhawks, Louisville Slug-her Breaking Cardinal Rules, Memphis Mafia Malcontents, The U (as in "unsavory"), Michigan State Hard-ons, Minnesota Go-for-hers, Miz-zou Animals, UNCheat Tarrin (Gals in) Heels, Oklahoma Sinners, Syracuse Orange Jumpsuits, TCU Horny Dawgs, UNLV Sincredibles, USC Trojan Ultra Ribbed, X-rated Musketeers, etc. Wherever the #MessMedia and school administrators may have been in same veiled-secret toilet sweeping stench under sullied carpet, someone needs to finish the "movement" and flush them all! Emptying the excrement should include infected hangers-on although prosecutors declined to pursue charges against Baylor's former manager after his arrest early in 2017 on allegations of harassing two women via sexually-explicit social media messages. How could Baylor bear such bewildering behavior while boasting a director of sports ministry on staff? An "I'm-such-a-stud" mindset in culture breeding risky behavior goes way out of bounds to near epidemic proportions as an alarming number of conniving former college hoopers think they're still BMOC when hired by a high school district and victimize vulnerable females.

Amid the extensive flaws, can any of the journalistic jackals unearth whether "The Carolina (Academic) Way" for Raymond Felton and Ty Lawson included a rigorous African and Afro-American independent study course on how to treat the opposite sex, Africa's subjugation of females or discerning the origin of HIV and Ebola virus rather than the importance of Swahili language? If the scheme was solely for GPA boosting, Carolina's 2005 (10 of 15 members were AFAS majors with total of 35 "pretty doggone good" bogus classes over two semesters) and 2009 NCAA titles should of been in jeopardy of being vacated. But the UNC placed on probation for scholastic shenanigans was Northern Colorado; not Carolina. At the very least, for the sake of supplying a good chuckle to offset a portion of the angst, we should be entitled to digest a sampling of prose from those unread Prime Time 10-page papers (assigned mostly A grades with few B+ marks since a few players may have misspelled their names). UNC, admitting "regrettable actions," should have been sanctioned simply because disgraceful no-show classes came under umbrella of Center For Ethics apparently as unethical as seven-layered Comey and FBI toadies Baker/Clinesmith/McCabe/Page/Priestap/Strzok.

UNC paid over $21 million in assorted costs dealing with the scholastic scandal but that exorbitant fee might have been an affordable expense insofar as there was significant savings over these many years when no faculty was necessary to actually provide instruction for bogus book-work. Rather than learning classy pass fakes on the court, the courted players passed by "learning" in fake classes. It's no excuse but, if the let's-not-dwell-on-the-negative media would get off its royal cushion, how many other schools across the nation have comparable compromising courses? A polluted program under current coach Richard Pitino, who brought in troubled transfers Reggie Lynch and Daquein McNeil, isn't exactly virgin territory among power-league members. The Gophers have "hole" history featuring a former Minnesota tutor claiming she wrote or helped write more than 400 papers or pieces of coursework for in excess of 20 Gophers players in the mid-1990s, multiple pre-Lynch/pre-#AlFrankenstein prospects-turned-suspects (Courtney James/Mitchell Lee/Trevor Mbakwe/Royce White) and recent out-of-control athletic director. After academic anemia decades ago involving Creighton's Kevin Ross taking rigorous courses such as theory of baseball and ceramics, the NCAA should remember: "If you don't stand for something (such as higher scholastic standards), you'll fall for anything (excessive number of criminals)." If NCAA movers and shakers didn't do anything meaningful back then addressing scholastic shenanigans, why would we expect them to do something now such as condemn Auburn's class clustering? In this charade, many of the recruits contemptible coaches and media butt kissers drool upon are "self-reliant students" as much as culpable kids of actress Lori Loughlin/Aunt Becky are "authentic athletes."

How in Heel is having athletic department personnel steering players into sham classes for 18 years not, at its core curriculum, a textbook definition of "lack of institutional control?" When will ESPN get to the bottom of the chicanery yielding answers via another orchestrated interview with former coach Roy Williams serving as master of "really-bothered-by-whole-thing" ceremonies featuring backdrop of supportive ex-players? ESPN should have just gone ahead and issued Williams' support group "Game Day" posters for their little pep rally at former big boss' alma mater. Network could have called charade, appearing as if it was created by coke-head Rolling Stone editor, Skipper's short three-hour tour. What most media outlets skip over is the disgusting percentage of prize prospects becoming prime predatory suspects in abusing underage females (including after they leave college).

How difficult would it have been for Williams, instead of pleading educational mission ignorance, to take a few minutes per semester assessing academic progress of each of his players? Didn't he acknowledge there was "class clustering" early in his Carolina head coaching tenure? It is the height of hypocrisy for him and other DI mentors/"fathers" to have a contract bonus provision stemming from APR/graduation rates. Will UNC encourage him to apologize to whistle-blower tutor Mary "Just Keep My Players Eligible" Willingham? Didn't Williams figuratively punch her (triggering death threats in aftermath of additional administration admonishments) by impugning Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary's character saying her illiteracy claims were untrue and totally unfair about a striking number of scholars boasting middle-school reading skills? Said Willingham prior to settling a lawsuit with UNC for $335,000 (about $1,000 per basketball player enrollment in paper class minus attorneys' fees): "I went to a lot of basketball games in the Dean Dome, but Roy never came and sat with me while I tutored his guys." Naturally, the first step to academic-anemia recovery at reformatory is admitting you're a huge hypocrite. Heaven help us if Williams' "sad-time" excuses and pleading ignorance about suspension of guard Jalek Felton - most heralded member of freshman class for defending NCAA champion - are typical of the coaching community level of interest in authentic advancement toward a genuine diploma.

Which is worse - free grades/dean's list for not even attending rogue class (see Rashad McCants), free abuse of female tutor or free rental cars for top returning scorer (P.J. Hairston) linked to an ex-convict? An absence of press accountability in the Carolinas probably is why a Democratic male running for statewide office can chuckle after calling a Republican female sitting governor a "whore." What we have here is a failure to exhibit standards; not so much an inability to thoroughly discuss the (physical and/or verbal) beat-down topic and appease the all-women sports gabfest "We Need to Talk" on CBS. The coaches' Sgt. Schultz "I-know-nothing" routine is insulting spit because they usually know when a regular takes an irregular dump. The NFL and NBA likely will announce policies "to do more," but when will colleges and the media do likewise to mitigate Sharia Law-like malignant message dumping on women? Instead, we get Kansas' Selfless coach creatively saying one of his Adidas-adoring players involved in school probe was "ill" upon missing a couple of games. Truth be told, the sport will remain "sick" if scholastic standards aren't raised while "educators of men" focus more on assembling megaconferences.

The NCAA should embrace the Nwagwu Rules of Engagement. Jackson State guard Chuck Nwagwu's father, a professor at the school, forced the part-time starter to quit the Tigers' team in 1996-97 after receiving a grade of C in two classes. "I am an academician," said the elder Nwagwu. "My job is to educate young black men. That should be the primary objective. Basketball is secondary." Nwagwu's dad also made him move out of the dormitory and canceled his meal tickets. "I had to impress him that school comes first," the Nigerian native said. "He thinks he's going to be the next Michael Jordan." Regrettably, JSU didn't last long as beacon of integrity among HBCU institutions as seven players were arrested five years later and charged with sexual abuse.

What is it about punks flourishing at sports that makes adults fall all over themselves making excuses for abhorrent behavior infecting the sport? Amid the pimpish compartmentalization, there are also "clever" outfits such as Oregon stemming from its timing in waiting to expel three players implicated in an alleged sexual assault in order to avoid a reduction in its Academic Progress Rate score before reaching 2017 Final Four with another player under comparable criminal investigation. Telephone records clearly convey Oregon athletic officials including coach Dana Altman were concerned about a recent recruit and NCAA gumshoes should be, too, instead of whether an assistant coach refereed a scrimmage. Meanwhile, fellow Pac-12 Conference member California adopted a stricter admissions policy when it comes to academics and Indiana embraced a no-admittance policy regarding previous indiscretions. Will Cal and IU set a nationwide trend for increased scholastic and decorum standards or will majority of universities duck the issue? Not if their on-court performances this season are any barometer or the condescending NCAA headquarters remains much more concerned about Indian nicknames and transgender restrooms than ending licking of dames. Can the NCAA, featuring a president informed at the start of this decade about MSU mayhem, at least encourage its members to consider utilizing Norway's syllabus teaching Muslim male migrants how to treat non-veiled women? At times such as Evansville firing coach Walter McCarty midway through 2019-20 season amidst a Title IX probe into alleged sexual misconduct, the ethically-bankrupt atmosphere doesn't appear to be much better at mid-major schools. St. Francis (N.Y.) had two different teammates busted for sex abuse on back-to-back days in early 2014 and an alleged cover-up at North Texas is equally disturbing.

It was a bizarre Halloween(ie) at mid-major Detroit in 2012 when athletic director Keri Gaither and assistant coach Derek Thomas resigned stemming from their extramarital, interracial affair. Ex-Baylor standout Carlos Briggs, another aide under coach Ray McCallum, was the anonymous whistle-blower before his identity was compromised and he was also dismissed. According to lawsuit filed by Briggs, UD players would observe former Western Illinois head coach Thomas slip into Gaither's hotel room after the team's curfew during road games, triggering them to leave their rooms to go stand outside the door to Gaither's room, giggling while they listened to zesty sounds of Gaither and Thomas apparently getting busy. No word if they discerned whether Titan condoms were utilized.

Speaking of "tough, cool and clever" guys resembling deranged DeNiro, Mayweather told CNN that "only God can judge me." But let's play The Almighty role and make things personal prior to enablers going on their merry way "earning" academic-anemia "dollars" off the next round of ill-equipped recruits. Father-figure coaches masquerading as social workers who persuade admissions offices to enroll some of the "exception" vermin should be sued by victims if the abuse is campus connected under their stewardship. As for the #MessMedia (student newspaper had to step up to the plate at Duke), perhaps Vitale's next illuminating book should be "You're Awful, Baby! With a Capital A!: 100 Players I Praised as Great But Glad My Daughters Didn't Date." Striving to avoid turning a blind eye to problem like so many in the press, below we'll give his researchers a head start on the EBOLA (Excessive Beatings are Outlandish of Ladies by Athletes) plague with robust list of scholars to assess en route to him setting a Guinness Book of World Records for most basketball volumes he didn't write, yet having name on covers as author.

Research shows that arrests of college athletes are more than double those of pros. Former Duke starter Jay Bilas has experiential ACC knowledge competing against colorful North Carolina State coach Jim Valvano's suspect squads (735 average SAT score - featuring Chris Washburn at 470 - and excessive number of positive drug tests during the 1980s). While pondering rigorous courses washout Washburn somehow passed to remain academically eligible for more than one season, a cold-blooded question surfaces as to whether the academic anemia at UNC is worse than what occurred at N.C. State, which probably gains the negative nod if only because of Washburn teammate Charles Shackleford's following animal-expert quote: "Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." The "A" in "bring your A-game" in an old ACC ad apparently didn't stand for academics.

If bookish Bilas genuinely knows self-evaluation "toughness" beyond "if they (coaches) knew," the policy wonk will maneuver upstream and shift his passion from lambasting the NCAA about paying these gentlemen and scholars to a lawyer-like focus on stopping the NCAA from preying on players who have little to no business representing universities because they aren't authentic student-athletes (although "Sullen-man" was still enrolled as student when allegations against him surfaced). Granted, such an academic-values modification will translate into an inferior product for him and his network to promote (and for walk-on-water luminaries such as Jim Boeheim, Calipari, Bob Huggins, Izzo, Self plus Rick Pitino to coach for that matter). But does a mediocre Duke player such as Lance Thomas need more than $30,000 as down payment on jewelry? What about multiple Memphis players reporting they were robbed of more than $66,000 worth of vital items for Calipari-coached college students (mink coats, diamond earrings, stereo equipment, flat-screen TV)? Ask CIA jurisprudence jackal John Brennan!

Moreover, former Syracuse bench boss Boeheim wouldn't have an opportunity to be "impressed" about one-and-done Carmelo Anthony's 1.8 gpa before failing to mention if Anthony attended more classes than games his second semester. Did Melo mellow out in Orange-hot Child and Family Studies en route to underwriting Cuse's hoops centerpiece (The Melo Center)? No word yet from blow-hard Boeheim after former Orange hooper/NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb was accused of sexual harassment by a former female colleague at the NFL Network and discarded by ESPN. At least the win-at-all-costs mentality is gender neutral as goalie Hope Solo flew above the Soccer Wars like Han Solo and school spirit took on a whole new meaning among Coastal Carolina's cheerleaders. More coaches are becoming members of the Garbage Collectors Guild as they don't give a rat's ass about anything beyond winning a few more games. What quality of classes could possibly be taken in college by mercenary professional-caliber athletes if a mind-numbing 60% of NBA players file for bankruptcy five years after retirement? Symbolic of a normal DI rescue-mission campaign, more than 50 people were arrested in a sex trafficking sting operation during Final Four weekend in Minneapolis several seasons ago. Instead of paying athletes, just let "sperminator" stallions have free erectile access to on-campus brothels.

In a 2015 sexcapade, a former recruit said he felt as if "I was in a strip club" when visiting Louisville. Georgia Tech apparently felt comfortable transporting impressionable high school prospect directly to jiggle joint. It's almost time to hit Ctrl-Alt-Delete and reboot nearly everything about the sport. A striking number of prominent schools (down to Florida, LSU and Oregon first week of new year not long ago before LSU "won" commitment) recruited power forward Emmitt Williams, who was arrested the previous fall in Florida on sexual battery and false imprisonment charges before charges were dismissed just before Christmas. Zach Harvey, a prize prep prospect in Kansas, pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor crimes (endangering a child and breach of privacy) after facing two felony sex crime charges stemming from an alleged incident in March 2017 involving two other teens and an underage girl. Amid a scholastic schedule laden with decidedly non-academic courses, personal character flaws didn't surface solely upon reaching the professional level and power-league members unscathed by female battery are clearly in the minority.

Immersed in an era fraught with human debris devoid of moral compass, ORU committed athletic program suicide during the previous decade when mandating the Titans, who averaged 22 victories annually in their first six seasons at the NCAA DI level in the 1970s, could only sign players without tattoos and new recruits would have to take a "faith exam" as well. Facing unvarnished truth, all hormonal basketball roads seem to lead to liberal lunacy including "tolerant" fans condoning shameless womanizing comparable to Los Angeles Lakers zealot Jack Nicholson. As many local and national press heads should roll as incompetent school administrators if there is anything close to equivalence of their overall hear-no-evil, see-no-evil and speak-no-evil oversight. While much of the lame-stream media looks the other way like referee in waning moments seeking blowout contest to conclude as soon as possible, following are vital facts on what really is outside the lines since ESPN came on the scene in the late 1970s and CBS assumed control of March Madness. High-profile commentators, appearing as if they were drugged, aimlessly address relevant "no-means-no" issues about as much as Cosby and Izzo answered pertinent inquiries. Celebrated coaches such as Altman, Boeheim, Izzo, Greek philosopher Pitino, Self and many of their peers never will "get it" until they're hit in the pocketbook or, God forbid, their daughters are victimized by a cretin. Compare how much power conference/prominent mid-major player air-time was given to "singing the praises" of the following alphabetical list of Three-S "Men" (Stupid, Sin-tillating and Sin-sational) to how much gutless wonders devoted to elaborating on their Hoop Hall of Shame misdeeds against women or offering solutions preventing exploitation of such derelict student-athletes even if the quality of basketball is reduced and might negatively affect ratings, endorsement deals, speaking engagement fees, charity donations or circulations of periodicals:

"If we have one of those cases (sexual assault), that's very problematic," pious retired NCAA President Mark Emmert told USA Today while five of every six universities refused to provide disciplinary records to the publication's network for a "Predator Pipeline" profile despite federal law giving schools explicit permission to provide such information. Question for Emmert: How about hundreds of cases plus one? If they bother to digest this lengthy list (including murders) or discern how often local "Mr.-Fix-It" go-to defense attorney is utilized by athletes, it might be time for Emmert, who earned $4 million annually, and shameful thumb-sucking university presidents to emerge from fetal position in their ivory towers, cease deliberate indifference and finally add a few paragraphs citing penalties for sexual misconduct to 440-page rules book. More to the point, how about elevating scholastic standards to emphasize genuine student-athletes less likely to be involved in sordid activities? Let's face it: Stupid people do dumb things. A correlation connecting delinquency of college cagers and soft-on-crime mindset is certainly an inconvenient truth requiring better leadership than insulated higher-education parasites and lame-stream #MessMedia leeches; not to mention grievance-industry NBA players probably supporting the aforementioned list as much as social scholars do common criminals in #Dimorat-dominated municipalities such as Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit, District of Columbia, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Memphis, Minneapolis, New Orleans, New York City, Philadelphia, Portland, St. Louis, San Francisco, Seattle, state of Wisconsin, etc. Even worse are college campuses infected by progressive puke as [genesis for every idiotic idea nation is polarized about.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling September 29 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads and multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on September 29 in football at the professional level (especially in 1974, 2002 and 2013):

SEPTEMBER 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 37-21 win against the Detroit Lions in 1963.

  • Cleveland Browns TE Jordan Cameron (redshirt freshman forward for Brigham Young 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 20-10 AAFC 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 contest. 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 TD passes in 35-7 win against the Bengals.

  • 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.

  • 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 touchdown in 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 touchdown in 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 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 season opener.

  • Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton (SMU hooper for three games in 2015-16 under coach Larry Brown) supplied two touchdown receptions on passes from Joe Flacco in a 26-24 setback against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019.

  • 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 AFL win against the Boston Patriots in 1963.

  • Buffalo Bisons E Al Vandeweghe (All-Southern Conference first-team hoops selection for William & Mary in 1941-42) scored a touchdown on eight-yard pass reception in 21-21 AAFC tie against the Los Angeles Dons in 1946.

  • New York Jets DE Marvin Washington (played in 1985 NCAA Tournament with UTEP under coach Don Haskins before averaging 2.9 ppg and 5.7 rpg for Idaho under Tim Floyd in 1987-88) had two sacks in a 41-23 win against the Miami Dolphins in 1991.

  • 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 game's lone score in 6-0 win against the Cleveland Rams in 1940.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Providing MLB Headlines on September 29

Extra! Extra! Instead of barfing while assessing degree to which pathetic Plagiarist Biledumb might mask the toxic truth by eventually saying, "I, along with smartest guy I know (hideous Hunter), did not have financial relations with that (foreign) country," you can read news 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 San Diego State hoop regulars Tony Clark, Tony Gwynn and Graig Nettles supplied significant MLB performances on this date. Ditto pitchers Bob Gibson and Dennis Rasmussen after meaningful hoop careers with Creighton. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 29 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 29

  • Cincinnati Reds RF Frank Baumholtz (MVP in 1941 NIT and first basketball player in Ohio University history to reach 1,000-point plateau) banged out four hits against the Chicago Cubs in a 1948 contest.

  • Rookie 1B Ed Bouchee (freshman hooper for Washington State in 1951-52) blasted two-run homer off Roger Craig (member of North Carolina State freshman basketball squad in 1949-50) in bottom of the sixth inning to give the Philadelphia Phillies a 2-1 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1957 season finale.

  • Detroit Tigers rookie 1B Tony Clark (San Diego State's leading scorer in Western Athletic Conference games in 1991-92) cracked two homers for the second time in last 13 games of 1996 campaign.

  • In opener of a 1934 doubleheader, Washington Senators LHP Syd Cohen (Alabama letterman in 1927) became last A.L. hurler to strike out New York Yankees legend Babe Ruth and allow the Bambino a home run.

  • Boston Red Sox C Gene Desautels (Holy Cross hoops letterman in 1929 and 1930) closed out the 1940 campaign with a career-high nine-game hitting streak.

  • Light-hitting Chicago White Sox SS Sammy Esposito (averaged 7 ppg in 1951-52 as starting guard under Indiana coach Branch McCracken) closed out the 1957 campaign with at least one walk in his last seven games.

  • 3B Gene Freese (hoops captain of 1952 NAIA Tournament team for West Liberty WV) traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Philadelphia Phillies for player-manager Solly Hemus in 1958.

  • St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer in 1955-56 and 1956-57) went 3-for-4, including his fifth homer of the 1965 campaign (grand slam off Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry), in an 8-6 win against the San Francisco Giants.

  • San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) provided seven hits in a 1999 doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals.

  • Mike Hargrove (Northwestern Oklahoma State hoops letterman) fired as Baltimore Orioles manager in 2003.

  • Chicago White Sox C Duane Josephson (led Northern Iowa in scoring in 1962-63 and 1963-64 under coach Norm Stewart) closed out the 1968 campaign with his fifth two-hit game in final nine contests.

  • In 1966, Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman hoops squad in 1953-54) became the first MLB hurler in 20th Century to achieve a third 300-strikeout season.

  • Boston Braves RF Joe Mowry (Iowa letterman in 1929-30 and 1930-31) went 3-for-3 against the New York Giants in opener of a 1935 twinbill.

  • Washington Senators 2B Buddy Myer (Mississippi State letterman in 1923-24) went 4-for-5 against the Philadelphia Athletics to capture the 1935 A.L. batting championship (.349).

  • New York Yankees 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) lashed two homers against the Cleveland Indians in 1974. Two years later, Nettles collected two doubles, two round-trippers and six RBI against the Boston Red Sox in a 9-6 win in 1976.

  • Detroit Tigers OF Jim Northrup (second-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder for Alma MI in 1958-59) went 4-for-4 with five RBI against the Milwaukee Brewers in a 1972 outing.

  • Los Angeles Dodgers SS Paul Popovich (averaged 3.3 ppg for West Virginia's 1960 NCAA playoff team) closed out the 1968 campaign by going 10-for-18 on a five-game road trip to Chicago and Atlanta.

  • In 1979, Texas Rangers rookie LHP Dave Rajsich (juco hooper with Phoenix College AZ in early 1970s) hurled 5 1/3 scoreless innings of relief to register his first MLB victory (6-3 against California Angels).

  • Kansas City Royals LHP Dennis Rasmussen (sixth-man for Creighton averaged 5.1 ppg in three seasons from 1977-78 through 1979-80) hurled a one-hit shutout against the California Angels in 1992.

  • Montreal Expos RHP Steve Renko (averaged 9.9 ppg and 5.8 rpg for Kansas in 1963-64) went 3-for-3 at the plate in a 6-5 victory against the Chicago Cubs in 1971.

  • LHP Preacher Roe (Harding AR hooper in late 1930s) purchased from the St. Louis Cardinals by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1943.

  • New York Yankees rookie 3B Red Rolfe (played hoops briefly with Dartmouth in 1927-28 and 1929-30) registered four hits against the Washington Senators in nightcap of a 1934 doubleheader.

  • Birdie Tebbetts (Providence hooper in 1932) named Cincinnati Reds manager in 1953.

  • Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Kent Tekulve (freshman hooper in mid-1960s for Marietta OH) won both ends of a 1978 doubleheader against the Philadelphia Phillies.

  • Chicago White Sox OF Leon Wagner (Tuskegee AL hooper in 1952-53) knocked in go-ahead run with pinch-hit single in top of ninth inning and subsequently scored eventual decisive run in a 7-6 win against the California Angels in 1968.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling September 28 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads and multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on September 28 in football at the professional level (especially in 1947, 1952 and 1969):

SEPTEMBER 28

  • Rookie E Neill Armstrong (played one hoops game under legendary Oklahoma A&M coach Hank Iba in 1944) caught a 29-yard, fourth-quarter touchdown pass for the Philadelphia Eagles' final score in 45-42 win against the Washington Redskins in 1947 season opener. Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (Texas Christian 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 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 17-3 win against the Detroit Lions in 1952 season opener.

  • Chicago Bears QB Jack Concannon (grabbed one rebound in one Boston College basketball contest in 1961-62) threw two touchdown passes in a 20-17 setback against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1969.

  • Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw three first-half touchdown passes in a 48-3 AFL win against the Miami Dolphins in 1968. Two years later, Dawson threw four TD passes in a 44-24 NFL win against the Baltimore Colts in 1970.

  • Chicago Cardinals B-PK John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern hoops letterman in 1916) opened the game's scoring with a 52-yard field goal (longest in NFL for nearly 30 years) in 17-7 win against the Milwaukee Badgers in 1924 season opener.

  • 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 season opener. 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 TD reception.

  • 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 54-14 win against the New York Yanks in 1951 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 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 (Southern California 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 to TE Billy Joe Dupree (scored four points in total of four basketball games for Michigan State in 1971-72) - in a 37-31 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1975.

  • Dallas Cowboys P Ron Widby (three-time All-SEC selection for Tennessee averaged 18.1 ppg and 8.4 rpg from 1964-65 through 1966-67) punted six times for 278 yards (46.3 average) in a 21-17 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1969.

  • Detroit Lions rookie RB Bob Wiese (averaged 3.9 ppg for Michigan in 1942-43 and 1943-44) rushed seven times for 33 yards and caught two passes for 18 yards in a 45-21 setback against the Chicago Cardinals in 1947.

  • 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.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Providing MLB Headlines on September 28

Extra! Extra! Instead of wondering why responsible parent knowing anything about hideous Hunter Biledumb would accept child-rearing advice of any sort from abysmal artist's absent-minded/creepy hair-sniffing/skinny-dipping/pseudonym-loving/big-guy father fielding ice-cream inquiries from lamestream #MessMedia press puke, you can read news 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 NCAA Division I conference all-league hoopers Don Grate (Ohio State), Ted Lyons (Baylor), Bill McCahan (Duke) and Will Venable (Princeton) 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 28 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 28

  • 2B Frank Baker (Southern Mississippi hoops letterman in 1965-66 and 1966-67), replacing Bobby Grich in the Baltimore Orioles' lineup, belted his only MLB homer, a grand slam, and finished with six RBI in an 18-4 trouncing of the Cleveland Indians in nightcap of 1973 doubleheader.

  • In the finale of 1952 campaign, Chicago Cubs lefthanded OF Frank Baumholtz (MVP in 1941 NIT and first player in Ohio University history to score 1,000 career points) reached base on an error after switching over and swinging righthanded at the only delivery Hall of Fame 1B-OF Stan Musial threw from mound at MLB level. Musial, who began his Organized Baseball career as a pitcher before incurring an injury, claimed his sixth N.L. batting crown (.336) and Baumholtz finished runner-up (.325).

  • Washington Senators 3B Frank Ellerbe (Wofford hooper after transferring from Sewanee TN) supplied four hits in a 7-6, 10-inning win against the Boston Red Sox in nightcap of 1920 twinbill.

  • St. Louis Cardinals 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) provided his second extra-inning steal of home plate in 1928.

  • Detroit Tigers rookie RHP George Gill (Mississippi College hooper in early 1930s) posted his sixth victory of the month in 1937.

  • Philadelphia Phillies rookie RHP Don Grate (NCAA consensus second-team All-American for Ohio State's Final Four teams in 1944 and 1945) yielded only two hits in five innings of relief in a 1946 game against the New York Giants.

  • LF "Sweet" Lou Johnson (Kentucky State teammate of legendary HBCU coach Davey Whitney averaged 5.7 ppg and 2 rpg in 1951-52) slugged 12th-inning homer to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a 2-1 victory against the Cincinnati Reds in 1965.

  • In 1963, Chicago White Sox 1B Deacon Jones (leading scorer for Ithaca College NY midway through 1953-54) whacked his lone MLB homer (against the Washington Senators).

  • Philadelphia Phillies LHP Dick Koecher (Temple hoops letterman in 1943-44) hurled his lone MLB complete game in a 4-1 setback against the New York Giants in opener of 1947 twinbill.

  • Chicago White Sox LHP Thornton Lee (Cal Poly hooper in 1925-26) notched his seventh complete-game victory in fewer than seven weeks in 1938. Three years later, Lee's six-hit shutout against the Detroit Tigers was his fifth complete-game triumph of the month.

  • St. Louis Cardinals LF Danny Litwhiler (member of JV hoops squad with Bloomsburg PA in mid-1930s) provided three hits in both ends of a 1943 doubleheader split against the Boston Braves.

  • In a City Series duel, Chicago White Sox RHP Ted Lyons (two-time All-SWC first-team selection for Baylor in early 1920s) blanked the Cubs on three hits in only 1 hour and 18 minutes in 1942. The 41-year-old Lyons then departed to enlist as a private in the U.S. Marine Corps for military service during World War II.

  • RHP Bill McCahan (three-year Duke hoops letterman named to All-Southern Conference Tournament team in 1942) traded by Philadelphia Athletics to Brooklyn Dodgers in 1949.

  • Baltimore Orioles rookie RHP Ben McDonald (started six times as freshman forward for Louisiana State in 1986-87 under coach Dale Brown) hurled a four-hit shutout against the Cleveland Indians in 1990.

  • New York Giants RF Red Murray (played hoops for Lock Haven PA in early 1900s) stole four bases in a 1910 game against the Cincinnati Reds.

  • In 1952, Philadelphia Phillies RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) registered his 28th victory (7-4 over New York Giants) with his 30th complete game.

  • Brooklyn Dodgers 3B Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) stole home in 1955 World Series opener against the New York Yankees.

  • Chicago Cubs LF Riggs Stephenson (Alabama hoops letterman in 1920), who hit safely in all nine World Series outings in his career, provided three safeties in the 1932 opener against the New York Yankees.

  • St. Louis Browns rookie RHP Rollie Stiles (played hoops for Southeastern State OK in 1926-27) registered his second complete-game victory in a two-week span in 1930.

  • Detroit Tigers utilityman Champ Summers (led SIUE in scoring in 1969-70 after doing same with Nicholls State in 1964-65) socked a game-tying, two-run pinch homer off the New York Yankees' Goose Gossage in bottom of eighth inning in 1980.

  • In a 1938 contest, C Birdie Tebbetts (Providence hooper in 1932) blasted a grand slam (10th such homer of season for Detroit Tigers).

  • San Diego Padres RF Will Venable (All-Ivy League first-team selection as junior and second-team choice as senior averaged 9.3 ppg under Princeton coach John Thompson III from 2001-02 through 2004-05) whacked his first MLB grand slam (against Chicago Cubs in 2011).

  • New York Mets RHP Joe Vitko (averaged 4.9 ppg and 3.6 rpg for St. Francis PA in 1987-88 and 1988-89 under coach Jim Baron) lost his lone MLB start in nightcap of 1992 twinbill.

  • Los Angeles Angels LF Leon Wagner (Tuskegee AL hooper in 1952-53) supplied three extra-base hits and eight RBI in 13-4 romp over the Washington Senators in 1961.

  • In 1965, St. Louis Cardinals 1B Bill White (two-year hooper with Hiram OH in early 1950s) contributed three extra-base hits in a game against his original team (San Francisco Giants).

  • Rookie pinch-hitter Bob Will (Mankato State MN captain in 1954-55 with 8.5 ppg and 2.5 rpg) stroked a two-run single in eighth inning to put the Chicago Cubs ahead to stay in 6-4 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1957. Five years later, Will's two-run pinch double catapulted the Cubbies to a 3-2 triumph against the New York Mets in 1962.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling September 27 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads and multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on September 27 in football at the professional level (especially in 1942):

SEPTEMBER 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 14-7 win against the Washington Redskins in 1942 season opener. Giants E Will Walls (starting forward for TCU for three years from 1935 through 1937) opened the game's scoring with a 50-yard touchdown pass reception.

  • 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 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. Steelers E Elbie Nickel (Cincinnati's second-leading scorer in 1942 also earned hoop letter in 1947) had two touchdown receptions.

  • New York Giants E Glenn Campbell (Emporia State KS hooper) opened game's scoring with a 30-yard touchdown catch in 14-6 win against the Providence Steam Roller in 1931 season opener. 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 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 game's scoring with a 21-yard touchdown catch in 35-14 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1942. Eagles FB Bert Johnson (played one hoops game in 1934-35 under Rupp) had a 65-yard TD reception.

  • 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 touchdown - in a 34-16 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1998.

  • Chicago Bears 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 touchdown passes in a 30-26 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 2020. Teammate Demetrius Harris (led Milwaukee in FG% and rebounding as senior in 2012-13) chipped in with three pass receptions.

  • 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 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 season opener.

  • Arizona Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven hoop games for Clemson in 2010-11) had 10 pass receptions in a 26-23 setback against the Detroit Lions in 2020.

  • Jacksonville Jaguars TE Damon Jones (averaged 3.9 ppg and 3.1 rpg for Southern Illinois in 1995-96 under coach Rich Herrin) caught a touchdown pass from Mark Brunell in his second consecutive contest in 1998.

  • 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 fourth-quarter touchdown in 21-14 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1981.

  • 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 season opener.

  • B Kink Richards (Simpson IA hoops letterman) had the New York Giants' lone touchdown with a 59-yard scamper following 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 AFL setback against the Houston Oilers in 1964.

  • 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.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Providing MLB Headlines on September 27

Extra! Extra! Instead of dwelling on #Dimorat kinship between union supporter/"fair-share" hypocrite Plagiarist Biledumb (example: big-guy 10% cut from hideous Hunter) and historical laundry list of #MSDNC tax cheats (smear merchants Al "Not So" Sharpton/Joyless Reid/Toxic Toure'/Misguided Melissa Harris-Perry), you can read news 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 Swarthmore PA hoopers Dick Hall and Curly Ogden supplied significant American League pitching performances on this date. Fellow small-college hoopers Claude Passeau (Millsaps MS) and Gary Peters (Grove City PA) made MLB news as pitchers pounding a home run on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 27 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 27

  • Baltimore Orioles 2B Jerry Adair (one of Oklahoma State's three leading basketball scorers in 1956-57 and 1957-58 while ranking among nation's top 12 free-throw shooters each season) smacked his first MLB homer (against Boston Red Sox in 1960).

  • St. Louis Cardinals 1B Walter Alston (Miami OH hoops letterman from 1932-33 through 1934-35) fanned in his lone MLB at-bat (against Chicago Cubs in 1936).

  • In 1983, RHP Jim Beattie (Dartmouth's top rebounder in 1974-75 when selected team MVP and honorable mention All-Ivy League) hurled the first one-hitter in Seattle Mariners history.

  • Seattle Mariners OF Mickey Brantley (averaged 10 ppg, 6.8 rpg and 5.4 apg for Columbia-Greene Community College SC in 1979-80) went 4-for-4, including a triple and homer, in 5-3 win against the Texas Rangers in 1987.

  • Baltimore Orioles OF Al Bumbry (Virginia State's runner-up in scoring with 16.7 ppg as freshman in 1964-65) stroked four hits against the Detroit Tigers in a 1977 game. Three years later, Bumbry stole three bases against the Cleveland Indians in a 1980 contest.

  • Minnesota Twins rookie 3B John Castino (medical redshirt for Rollins FL in 1973-74 under coach Ed Jucker) contributed three hits in back-to-back games against the Chicago White Sox in 1979.

  • LHP Danny Coombs (Seton Hall's third-leading scorer and rebounder as a sophomore in 1961-62) made his MLB debut in 1963 as a reliever for the Houston Colt .45s, who started nine rookies including 1B Rusty Staub, 2B Joe Morgan and C Jerry Grote.

  • Detroit Tigers RHP Floyd Giebell (four-year hoops letterman for Salem College WV in mid-1930s) hurled a six-hit shutout against the Cleveland Indians in 1940.

  • Detroit Tigers 1B Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoops scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) launched two homers for the fourth time in an 18-game span in 1938.

  • Baltimore Orioles RHP Dick Hall (averaged 13.5 ppg from 1948-49 through 1950-51 for three Swarthmore PA Southern Division champions in Middle Atlantic States Conference) became the first pitcher in 51 years to end a season with more victories (10) than walks (6 in 61 innings).

  • C Tom Haller (backup forward for Illinois in 1956-57 and 1957-58 under coach Harry Combes) whacked a pair of homers to spark the San Francisco Giants to an 8-4 triumph against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1965. Three years later with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Haller delivered four RBI, including a go-ahead, two-run triple in the ninth inning of a 5-2 win against the Atlanta Braves in 1968.

  • New York Giants RHP Jim Hearn (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1941-42) hurled a shutout against the Philadelphia Phillies to finish the 1950 campaign with N.L.-leading ERA of 2.49.

  • Boston Red Sox LHP Bill Henry (hoops letterman for Houston's 1947 NAIA Tournament team featuring co-captain Guy Lewis) allowed only one hit in eight innings of 2-1 victory against eventual World Series champion New York Yankees in 1953.

  • First MLB victory for Brooklyn Dodgers rookie RHP Clyde King (started two basketball games for North Carolina in December 1944 under coach Ben Carnevale came via a complete-game, 3-2 verdict over eventual World Series winner St. Louis Cardinals in 1944. RF Stan Musial went 0-for-4 with the Cards.

  • Kansas City Royals LF Joe Lahoud (New Haven CT hoops letterman in mid-1960s) whacked back-to-back homers against the Oakland Athletics in a 1977 outing.

  • Boston Bees 2B Swede Larsen (played hoops for Villanova and Colgate in mid-1930s) made his lone MLB at-bat in opener of a 1936 doubleheader against the Philadelphia Phillies.

  • St. Louis Cardinals SS Doc Lavan (Hope MI hooper from 1908 through 1910) delivered four hits in a 16-1 romp over the Chicago Cubs in 1920.

  • Danny Litwhiler (member of JV hoops squad with Bloomsburg PA in mid-1930s) completed his 151st errorless game for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1942. He was first OF to avoid an error the entire season.

  • Kansas City Athletics SS Jerry Lumpe (member of Southwest Missouri State's 1952 NAIA Tournament championship hoops team) went 4-for-4 against the Cleveland Indians in a 1960 game.

  • Philadelphia Phillies CF Jerry Martin (1971 Southern Conference Tournament MVP after he was Furman's runner-up in scoring previous season) went 4-for-4 in a 5-4 win against the Montreal Expos in 1978.

  • RF Lyle Mouton (starter in Louisiana State's backcourt with All-American Chris Jackson for 1989 NCAA playoff team) knocked in all of the Baltimore Orioles' runs in a 6-4 loss against the Boston Red Sox in 1998.

  • Washington Senators RHP Curly Ogden (Swarthmore PA hoops center in 1919, 1920 and 1922) hurled a three-hit shutout against the Chicago White Sox in 1925.

  • Hitting safely in his sixth straight game with batting appearance for the Philadelphia Phillies, RHP Claude Passeau (Millsaps MS hooper in late 1920s and early 1930s) provided decisive tally by whacking a homer in 4-3 win against the Boston Bees in nightcap of 1936 twinbill.

  • Winning LHP Gary Peters (Grove City PA hooper in mid-1950s) pounded a three-run homer in a 10-1 victory against the Washington Senators as the Boston Red Sox reached 200-homer plateau for first time in franchise history.

  • Boston Braves RHP Al Pierotti (Washington & Lee VA captain of school's undefeated 1917 hoops squad) posted his lone MLB victory (complete-game 3-2 verdict over New York Giants in 1920).

  • Milwaukee Brewers rookie DH John Poff (member of Duke's freshman basketball squad in 1970-71) pounded his lone MLB homer in a 1980 game against the Oakland Athletics.

  • Los Angeles Dodgers RHP Jeff Shaw (freshman guard for Rio Grande OH hoops squad compiling 31-5 record and reaching second round of 1985 NAIA Tournament) secured his 10th save in as many relief appearances during the month in 1998.

  • Philadelphia Phillies 1B Jim Thome (juco hooper for Illinois Central in 1988-89) supplied three extra-base hits (one double/two homers) in a 2003 outing against the Atlanta Braves.

  • In 1962, Houston Astros RHP Jim Umbricht (Georgia hoops captain in 1951-52) won his fourth game of the month as a reliever.

  • Detroit Tigers SS Johnnie Watson (Marshall hoops letterman from 1926-27 through 1929-30) contributed a double and RBI in both ends of 1930 doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox.

  • In the midst of securing an RBI in 11 of final 12 outings of 1964, St. Louis Cardinals 1B Bill White (two-year hooper with Hiram OH in early 1950s) doubled in his fourth consecutive contest.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling September 26 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads and multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on September 26 in football at the professional level (especially in 1954 and 2004):

SEPTEMBER 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 touchdown in 48-23 win against the Chicago Bears in 1954 season opener. Lions HB Doak Walker (SMU hoops letterman as freshman in 1945-46) scored two fourth-quarter TDs (70-yard punt return and 3-yard rush).

  • B-PK John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern basketball letterman in 1916) delivered the Chicago Bears' only score with a 36-yard touchdown reception in 6-6 tie with the Green Bay Packers in 1926.

  • 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 season opener.

  • 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 AAFC win against the Chicago Rockets in 1947. Rockets rookie QB Sam Vacanti (averaged 2.8 ppg as backup swingman for Iowa in 1942-43) threw three second-half TD passes and Browns HB Bill Boedeker (teammate of DePaul All-American George Mikan in mid-1940s) rushed for a TD in his third consecutive contest. The next year, Graham threw two third-quarter TD passes in a 21-10 win against the Rockets in 1948 while Boedeker scored two second-half TDs (one receiving/one rushing).

  • 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. WR Sonny Randle (scoreless in seven basketball games in Virginia's third season in ACC in 1955-56) caught seven of the passes for 198 yards including three of them for TDs.

  • 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 season opener.

  • Chicago Cardinals B Ike Mahoney (Creighton hooper in early 1920s) opened game's scoring with a 70-yard touchdown on fumble recovery return in 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 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 season opener.

  • 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.

  • 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.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Providing MLB Headlines on September 26

Extra! Extra! How many gold bars did mental midget Sen. Menendez (D-NJ) need to stand on to see over podium? Instead of wondering how often foreign aid funds are laundered back to corrupt U.S. politicians as kickbacks, you can read news 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.

A pair of former Iowa small-college hoopers - Larry Biittner (Buena Vista) and Paul Splittorff (Morningside) - supplied significant MLB performances on this date. Ditto ex-Oregon hoopers Carson "Skeeter" Bigbee and Fred "Moon" Mullen in National League contests. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 26 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 26

  • New York Yankees rookie SS Frank Baker (Southern Mississippi basketball letterman in 1965-66 and 1966-67) banged out three hits for second consecutive contest against the Detroit Tigers in 1970.

  • In 1972, Milwaukee Brewers RHP Jerry Bell (Belmont hooper in 1965-66 and 1966-67) posted his fifth victory in as many decisions in the span of a month.

  • Cleveland Indians RHP Ray Benge (multi-year hoops letterman for Sam Houston State first half of 1920s) hurled a four-hit shutout in his MLB debut against the Philadelphia Athletics in nightcap of 1925 doubleheader. He also collected two hits.

  • Pittsburgh Pirates LF Carson "Skeeter" Bigbee (Oregon hoops letterman in 1915) went 4-for-4 against the Chicago Cubs in the opener of a 1924 doubleheader.

  • Chicago Cubs LF Larry Biittner (runner-up in scoring and rebounding in 1966-67 for Buena Vista IA) supplied three extra-base hits in a 10-7 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1977.

  • In midst of four-game hitting streak, Boston Red Sox C Danny Doyle (averaged 6.8 ppg for Oklahoma A&M in late 1930s and 1944 under Hall of Fame coach Hank Iba) reached base four times against the Detroit Tigers with a single and three walks in opener of 1943 twinbill.

  • Chicago White Sox SS Sammy Esposito (averaged 7 ppg in 1951-52 as starting guard under Indiana coach Branch McCracken), who hit .207 in his 10-year MLB career, went 3-for-3 against the Kansas City Athletics in a 1958 game.

  • Los Angeles Dodgers C Joe Ferguson (hooper in 1967 NCAA playoffs with Pacific) stroked three extra-base hits against the San Diego Padres in a 1972 contest.

  • Intended as a sacrifice, Hall of Fame C Rick Ferrell (Guilford NC hooper in mid-1920s) contributed a bunt single in 1941 that was only hit for the St. Louis Browns against Cleveland Indians P Bob Feller.

  • Baltimore Orioles LHP Mike Flanagan (averaged 13.9 ppg for Massachusetts' 15-1 freshman squad in 1971-72) had his no-hit bid end with two outs in ninth inning against the Cleveland Indians in 1978.

  • St. Louis Browns rookie LF Joe Gallagher (Manhattan varsity hooper in 1934-35) slugged three homers in a 1939 doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers.

  • Detroit Tigers 1B Hank Greenberg (enrolled at NYU on hoops scholarship in 1929 but attended college only one semester) collected five extra-base hits, five runs and nine RBI in a 1934 twinbill sweep of the Chicago White Sox.

  • In 1954, 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) hammered his 25th homer at Ebbets Field (new Brooklyn Dodgers single-season record). Hodges also finished the year with a MLB-high 18 sacrifice flies.

  • Rookie RF Roy Hutson (played hoops for Central Missouri State in mid-1920s) went 2-for-3 as the Brooklyn Robins' leadoff hitter in a 4-1 triumph against the Cincinnati Reds in 1925.

  • New York Giants LF Monte Irvin (Lincoln PA hooper 1 1/2 years in late 1930s) delivered three extra-base hits and four of his N.L.-high 121 RBI against the Philadelphia Phillies in a 1951 game.

  • Philadelphia Phillies RHP Jim Konstanty (Syracuse hooper in late 1930s) made his 71st relief appearance of the 1950 campaign. It was a MLB record (subsequently broken).

  • In a 1986 outing, Toronto Blue Jays DH Rick Leach (averaged 15.5 ppg for Michigan's junior varsity team in 1975-76) went 3-for-3 against Roger Clemens of the Boston Red Sox.

  • New York Giants RHP Christy Mathewson (Bucknell hooper at turn of 20th Century) secured his sixth multiple-hit outing in last seven weeks of 1912 season.

  • St. Louis Cardinals CF Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50) capped off his 1954 Rookie of the Year season with an 11th-inning, two-run homer at Milwaukee.

  • Philadelphia Phillies rookie 2B Moon Mullen (backup guard for Oregon's legendary "Tall Firs" team winning inaugural NCAA tourney in 1939) scored career-high three runs in nightcap of 1944 doubleheader when tying his career-long hitting streak of eight games in a row.

  • St. Louis Cardinals RF Red Murray (played hoops for Lock Haven PA in early 1900s) stole three bases in the opener of a 1908 doubleheader against the Philadelphia Phillies.

  • Milwaukee Brewers rookie DH John Poff (member of Duke's freshman basketball squad in 1970-71) contributed a career-high three hits in 10-7 win against the Oakland Athletics in 1980.

  • RHP Nels Potter (leading scorer during two years he attended Mount Morris IL in early 1930s) purchased from the Boston Braves by the Cincinnati Reds in 1949.

  • In 1951, Brooklyn Dodgers 2B Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in PCC both of his seasons for UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) annoyed the Boston Braves by stealing home with a 13-3 lead in the eighth inning.

  • New York Yankees LHP Marius Russo (member of LIU hoop teams compiling 50-2 record in 1934-35 and 1935-36 under legendary coach Clair Bee) fired his third three-hit shutout of the 1941 campaign.

  • Kansas City Royals LHP Paul Splittorff (runner-up in scoring and rebounding for Morningside IA in 1967-68) won his fifth straight start to finish the 1973 season with 20 victories.

  • In 2012, Baltimore Orioles DH Jim Thome (played junior-college hoops for Illinois Central in 1988-89) jacked his final of 612 MLB career homers.

  • Pittsburgh Pirates starting RHP Jim Umbricht (Georgia hoops captain in 1951-52) lost his MLB debut (against Cincinnati Reds in 1959).

  • Boston Red Sox C Sammy White (All-PCC Northern Division first-five selection for Washington in 1947-48 and 1948-49) smacked two homers against the Washington Senators in a 1954 game.

  • 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 San Diego Padres in a 2005 contest.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling September 25 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads and multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on September 25 in football at the professional level (especially in 1966):

SEPTEMBER 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 lateral in 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 season opener.

  • 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 AFL setback against the Oakland Raiders in 1960.

  • New York Jets TE Tyler Conklin (averaged 1.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg and 1.4 apg with Northwood MI in 2013-14 before transferring after first semester to concentrate on football at Central Michigan) garnered a career-high eight pass receptions in 27-12 setback against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2022.

  • Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw five touchdown passes in a 43-24 AFL win against the Boston Patriots in 1966.

  • Chicago Bears B-PK John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern basketball letterman in 1916) accounted for all of the game's scoring with a field goal and rushing touchdown in 9-0 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1927.

  • LB Bob Griffin (Arkansas hooper in 1950-51) recorded a safety by blocking punt out of end zone for the Los Angeles Rams' first score of season in 23-14 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1955 opener.

  • 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 season opener.

  • 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 14-13 AFL 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 AAFC 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 28-10 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1966.

  • In his rookie debut, Pittsburgh Steelers HB Don Samuel (appeared in 1947 NCAA Tournament for Oregon State) rushed for a 31-yard touchdown in 28-7 win against the New York Giants in 1949 season opener.

  • 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.

  • Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton (SMU hooper for three games in 2015-16 under coach Larry Brown) caught eight passes for 97 yards in an 11-10 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 2022.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Providing MLB Headlines on September 25

Extra! Extra! Plagiarist Biledumb's dog Commander should be on set to bite witches every time they say something stupid. Instead of wondering if The View's vindictive vixens are continually setting "Sunny," "Poopie" and "Joyless" (plus Ana's "Love Story" about "the big guy" and hideous Hunter) on Guinness World Record pace for most ignorance on any TV panel at a single time, you can read news 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 four current Pac-12 Conference members - Taylor Douthit (California), Mark Hendrickson (Washington State), Hank Leiber (Arizona) and Gary Sutherland (Southern California) - 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 25 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 25

  • Philadelphia Phillies LHP Stan Baumgartner (played for University of Chicago's Big Ten Conference basketball champion in 1913-14) toiled 10 innings for his first MLB victory, a 3-2 nod over the Chicago Cubs in 1914.

  • St. Louis Browns RF Beau Bell (two-year hoops letterman for Texas A&M in early 1930s) banged out four hits in the nightcap of a 1936 doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians.

  • INF Ernie Bowman (East Tennessee State hoops letterman in 1954-55 and 1955-56) traded by the Milwaukee Braves to New York Mets in 1965 to complete an earlier deal.

  • New York Giants RF Otis Carter (Furman hoops lettermen for multiple seasons in early 1920s) cracked his lone MLB homer in 1926 (against St. Louis Cardinals).

  • Philadelphia Athletics RHP Jack Coombs (captain and starting hoops center for Colby ME) had his 53-inning scoreless streak ended by the Chicago White Sox in 1910.

  • St. Louis Cardinals CF Taylor Douthit (California hoops letterman from 1922 through 1924) contributed four hits against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 1930 game.

  • Philadelphia Athletics rookie RHP Marion Fricano (SUNY-Cortland hooper in early 1940s) twirled his fourth complete game in last five starts of the 1953 campaign.

  • In one of his eight multiple-hit contests in a nine-game span, Brooklyn Robins 3B Wally Gilbert (hoops captain played for Valparaiso from 1918-19 through 1920-21) manufactured four safeties in a 10-9 loss against the Philadelphia Phillies in the opener of 1929 twinbill.

  • Toronto Blue Jays rookie LHP Mark Hendrickson (two-time All-Pacific-10 selection was Washington State's leading rebounder each season from 1992-93 through 1995-96) won his last three starts in 2002 after debuting as MLB starter earlier in the month with a no-decision, yielding only three earned runs in 26 innings in those four assignments. Three years later, Hendrickson won his seventh straight verdict with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2005.

  • 2B Tommy Herr (hooper with Delaware's freshman team in 1974-75) smacked an eighth-inning, two-run homer to give the Philadelphia Phillies a 2-1 nod over the New York Mets in 1989.

  • Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman hoops squad in 1953-54) tossed a shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1965, raising his season strikeout total of 356.

  • In his only MLB pitching appearance, New York Giants OF Hank Leiber (Arizona hooper in 1931) hurled a complete game in a 9-1 setback against the Philadelphia Phillies in nightcap of 1942 doubleheader. Teammate Hal Schumacher (St. Lawrence NY hooper in early 1930s) earned win in the opener, 6-3.

  • Boston Red Sox CF Jerry Mallett (two-time All-SWC first-team selection averaged 15.3 ppg and 12.7 rpg for Baylor from 1954-55 through 1956-57) supplied two of his four MLB hits and lone RBI in a 10-4 victory against the Washington Senators in 1959.

  • Minnesota Twins RHP Jim Perry (averaged more than 20 ppg in late 1950s for former juco Campbell) fired a two-hit shutout against the Kansas City Royals to finished 1970 campaign with A.L.-leading 24 victories.

  • Washington Senators C Ken Retzer (fourth-leading juco scorer with 184 points for Jefferson City MO in 1953-54) went 4-for-4 with five RBI (including three-run homer off Denny McLain) in a 6-2 triumph against the Detroit Tigers in 1963.

  • Cincinnati Reds SS Nolen Richardson (Georgia hoops captain in 1925-26 as All-Southern Conference Tournament selection) went 3-for-3 against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 1938 contest.

  • Philadelphia Phillies RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) registered his 28th victory in 1952, completing 30th game in 37 starts.

  • Philadelphia Phillies 3B Gary Sutherland (averaged 7.4 ppg with Southern California in 1963-64) provided his fifth straight multiple-hit game in 1968.

  • Cleveland Indians 1B Jim Thome (juco hooper for Illinois Central in 1988-89) whacked two homers in a 2002 contest against the Minnesota Twins en route to team single-season record of 52 round-trippers.

  • Finishing regular season with four consecutive holds, LHP Matt Thornton (averaged 5.8 ppg and 2.4 rpg for Grand Valley State MI from 1995-96 through 1997-98) went unscored upon in his 18 relief appearances with the Washington Nationals after acquisition from the New York Yankees.

  • In the midst of an eight-game hitting streak, San Francisco Giants 1B Desi Wilson (Fairleigh Dickinson's all-time leading scorer was Northeast Conference player of the year in 1989-90) homered against the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1996.

  • Washington Senators 3B Eddie Yost (NYU freshman hooper in 1943-44 under coach Howard Cann) went 6-for-9 in a 1949 twinbill split against the Philadelphia Athletics. He was issued at least one walk in each of his previous eight contests. Eleven years later with the Detroit Tigers, Yost homered twice in a 1960 game against same franchise but based in Kansas City.

  • Detroit Tigers 1B John Young (played hoops sparingly for Chapman CA in late 1960s) went 2-for-3 in his lone MLB start (against New York Yankees in 1971).

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling September 24 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads and multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on September 24 in football at the professional level (especially in 1961 and 2000):

SEPTEMBER 24

  • New York Giants DB Erich Barnes (played hoops briefly for Purdue as sophomore in 1955-56) had two interceptions off Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) in a 17-14 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1961.

  • First NFL reception for Buffalo Bills WR Don Beebe (Aurora College IL junior varsity hooper in 1983-84) went for a 63-yard touchdown from Jim Kelly in 47-41 win against the Houston Oilers in 1989.

  • 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 season opener.

  • 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 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 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 four-yard pass from QB Jim Zorn in 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.

  • Tennessee Titans rookie TE Erron Kinney (averaged 2.5 ppg and 1.3 rpg in six basketball games for Florida in 1996-97 under coach Billy Donovan) caught an 18-yard pass from Steve McNair for game-winning touchdown with 1:25 remaining in 23-20 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2000.

  • 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 season opener. HB Bosh Pritchard (four-sport letterman for VMI) opened Philly's scoring with a 69-yard pass reception for TD.

  • 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.

  • Jacksonville Jaguars TE Marcedes Lewis (collected nine points and four rebounds in seven UCLA basketball games in 2002-03 under coach Steve Lavin) caught three touchdown passes from Blake Bortles in a 44-7 win against the Baltimore Ravens in 2017.

  • 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 touchdown in 42-30 setback against the Seattle Seahawks in 2006.

  • Baltimore Colts TE Tom Mitchell (averaged 6.1 ppg and 9.4 rpg in 10 basketball games for Bucknell in 1963-64) supplied career highs of eight pass receptions for 114 yards in a 44-34 setback against the New York Jets in 1972.

  • 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.

  • St. Louis Cardinals WR Sonny Randle (scoreless in seven basketball games in Virginia's third season in ACC in 1955-56) caught two first-half touchdown passes in a 20-17 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1961.

  • 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 WR Courtland Sutton (SMU hooper for three games in 2015-16 under coach Larry Brown) caught eight passes for 91 yards in a 70-20 setback against the Miami Dolphins in 2023.

  • 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 AFL setback against the New York Titans in 1961.

  • Dallas Cowboys P Ron Widby (three-time All-SEC selection for Tennessee averaged 18.1 ppg and 8.4 rpg from 1964-65 through 1966-67) 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.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Providing MLB Headlines on September 24

Extra! Extra! Instead of seeking interpreter to "handle" mental gymnastics stemming from Plagiarist Biledumb's Out House word salads, you can read news 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 New York small colleges - Billy Harrell (Siena), Jack Phillips (Clarkson) and Hal Schumacher (St. Lawrence) - 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 24 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 24

  • Boston Red Sox 2B Jerry Adair (one of Oklahoma State's top three basketball scorers in 1956-57 and 1957-58 while ranking among nation's top 12 free-throw shooters each season) amassed four hits in an 11-7 win against the Baltimore Orioles in 1967. Two earlier with the Orioles in 1965, Adair knocked in four runs for the second consecutive contest while in midst of five straight multiple-hit games.

  • Philadelphia Athletics SS Frank Callaway (Tennessee hoops letterman in 1918 and 1919) collected a career-high three hits in 7-4 victory against the Chicago White Sox in 1921.

  • New York Mets 1B Donn Clendenon (four-sport letterman with Morehouse GA) cracked two homers against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1969 game.

  • Philadelphia Athletics C Mickey Cochrane (Boston University hooper in early 1920s) contributed three doubles against the Washington Senators in a 1933 contest.

  • New York Giants SS Alvin Dark (Louisiana State and Southwestern Louisiana letterman in mid-1940s) homered in both ends of a 1952 doubleheader sweep against his original team (Boston Braves), going 5-for-5 in the opener.

  • Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Al Downing (attended Muhlenberg PA on hoops scholarship but departed before ever playing) hurled the second of his back-to-back shutouts, giving him six consecutive victories and a N.L.-leading five whitewashes in 1971.

  • St. Louis Browns 3B Frank Ellerbe (Wofford hooper after transferring from Sewanee TN) stroked three extra-base hits (two doubles and one homer) against the Boston Red Sox in nightcap of a 1921 twinbill.

  • St. Louis Browns rookie LF Joe Gallagher (Manhattan varsity hooper in 1934-35) secured four safeties for the second time in a five-game span in 1939.

  • Cleveland Indians rookie SS Billy Harrell (averaged 10.3 ppg in three seasons for Siena in early 1950s) banged out three hits against the Detroit Tigers for second time in a week in 1955.

  • New York Mets manager Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) suffered a heart attack during 1968 game against the Atlanta Braves.

  • Chicago White Sox 1B Ron Jackson (second-team All-MAC choice from 1951-52 through 1953-54 led Western Michigan in scoring and rebounding his last two seasons) registered four hits against the Kansas City Athletics in a 1957 contest.

  • In 1957, Brooklyn Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman hoops squad in 1953-54) appeared in relief in the final game at Ebbets Field. Koufax got a chance to go to the plate and struck out for 12th time in as many at-bats this season.

  • Chicago Cubs C Gordy Massa (played hoops briefly for Holy Cross in 1956-57) supplied two safeties in his MLB debut against the Cincinnati Reds en route to securing hits in all six games the remainder of 1957 campaign.

  • Pittsburgh Pirates 1B Jack Phillips (leading scorer for Clarkson NY in 1942-43) went 4-for-4 in a 3-2 triumph against the Cincinnati Reds in nightcap of 1950 twinbill.

  • Philadelphia Phillies RHP Ron Reed (Notre Dame's leading rebounder in 1963-64 and 1964-65) won his last eight relief decisions of the 1983 campaign.

  • Cincinnati Reds LHP Eppa Rixey (Virginia hoops letterman in 1911-12 and 1913-14) hit safely in each of his last six starts of 1925 campaign after banging out three safeties against the Brooklyn Dodgers.

  • After losing his previous six starts, Chicago White Sox RHP Charlie Robertson (Austin College TX hooper before joining U.S. Army during WWI) hurled a shutout against the Washington Senators in 1923.

  • Milwaukee Brewers LF Ted Savage (Lincoln MO scoring average leader in 1955-56) provided three hits and four RBI in a 7-3 verdict over the California Angels in 1970.

  • RHP Hal Schumacher (St. Lawrence NY hooper in early 1930s) drove in the winning run in 10th inning of opener of a doubleheader against the Boston Bees as the New York Giants clinched 1936 N.L. pennant.

  • RHP Joe Vance (Southwest Texas State hoops letterman in 1927-28 and 1928-29) won his lone decision with the New York Yankees in 1937 by allowing only four hits and one run in eight innings against the Boston Red Sox.

  • In 1992, Toronto Blue Jays DH-RF Dave Winfield (starting forward with Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) became the first 40-year-old in MLB history to knock in 100 runs in a season when he stroked a two-run double off Baltimore Orioles RHP Ben McDonald (started six games as 6-6 freshman forward for Louisiana State in 1986-87).

  • New York Yankees LHP Tom Zachary (Guilford NC hoops letterman in 1916) posted his 12th victory in as many decisions in 1929. No hurler will have a better season without losing a setback.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling September 23 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads and multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on September 23 in football at the professional level (especially in 1962):

SEPTEMBER 23

  • Chicago Cardinals rookie QB Paul Collins (All-Big Six Conference first-team hoops selection for Missouri in 1943-44) made his lone NFL start (10-0 setback vs. Detroit Lions in 1945).

  • 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 season opener. Rams E Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (starting hoops center for Michigan in 1944) scored two TDs.

  • 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.

  • 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 touchdown in 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. Steelers LB George Tarasovic (led NLU forerunner Northeast Junior College LA with 21 ppg in 1950-51) returned an interception 37 yards. 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 season opener.

  • 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.

  • New York Giants E Ray Poole (Ole Miss' leading hoops scorer in 1942-43 with 12.3 ppg) provided a fumble recovery for touchdown in 27-7 win against the Boston Yanks in 1948 season opener.

  • St. Louis Cardinals WR Sonny Randle (scoreless in seven basketball games in Virginia's third season in ACC in 1955-56) caught three second-half touchdown passes in a 43-21 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1960 season opener.

  • Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88 under coach Jud Heathcote) 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 game's scoring with a touchdown reception in 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.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Providing MLB Headlines on September 23

Extra! Extra! Instead of cursing stereotypical press puke Politico belatedly admitting the validity of hideous Hunter Biledumb scandalous laptop story after much of misguided activist #MessMedia, including notably CNN Sucks, Facebook, #MSDNC, New York Slimes, Twitter plus Washington Compost, tried to censor New York Post scoop, you can read news 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 hoopers Bruce Bochte and Randy Winn supplied significant MLB hitting performances on this date. Ditto former Fordham hoopers Frankie Frisch and Babe Young for National League teams. The Detroit Tigers benefited the most from ex-college hoopers on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a September 23 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

SEPTEMBER 23

  • First MLB victory for San Diego Padres RHP Steve Arlin (played two basketball games for Ohio State in 1964-65 under coach Fred Taylor) was a shutout of the Atlanta Braves in 1970.

  • 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 Chicago Cubs in 1979.

  • Seattle Mariners LF Bruce Bochte (starting forward for Santa Clara's 1970 NCAA playoff team averaged 7.4 ppg and 4 rpg) went 4-for-4 against the Chicago White Sox in a 1982 game.

  • Detroit Tigers 2B Frank Bolling (averaged 7.3 ppg in 1950-51 for Spring Hill AL) stroked four hits against the Cleveland Indians in a 1956 contest.

  • Brooklyn Dodgers RHP Roger Craig (forward with North Carolina State's 1949-50 freshman team) hurled his fourth shutout in 1959 (5-0 against St. Louis Cardinals).

  • Milwaukee Braves 1B George Crowe (four-year letterman from 1939-40 through 1942-43 for Indiana Central after becoming first high school player named state's Mr. Basketball) smashed two homers in a 4-2 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1955.

  • Cleveland Indians CF Larry Doby (reserve guard for Virginia Union's 1943 CIAA hoops titlist) delivered a grand slam against the Detroit Tigers in 1950 outing.

  • St. Louis Cardinals 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) collected four hits and four runs against the Philadelphia Phillies in a 1930 game.

  • California Angels RHP Dave Frost (averaged 10.5 ppg and 4 rpg for Stanford from 1971-72 through 1973-74) hurled a complete game, beating the Texas Rangers, 6-1, to finish tied with Nolan Ryan for the team high in victories (16) during 1979 campaign.

  • Cincinnati Reds LHP Don Gross (Michigan State freshman hooper in 1949-50) didn't allow an earned run in 10 innings in 3-2 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1956. Gross posted a 0.76 ERA in his final 11 appearances of the campaign covering 35 1/3 innings.

  • San Francisco Giants LHP Atlee Hammaker (averaged 5.3 ppg as a freshman in 1976-77 and 4.9 as a sophomore in 1977-78 under East Tennessee State coach Sonny Smith), matching Los Angeles Dodgers P Orel Hershiser in zeroes the first seven innings, yielded a homer in the eighth as Hershiser extended his streak of consecutive shutout frames to 49 in 1988.

  • 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 Pittsburgh Pirates in a suspended game in 1956.

  • Chicago White Sox rookie RHP Bart Johnson (averaged 30.5 ppg for Brigham Young's freshman squad in 1967-68) tossed his first MLB shutout, a five-hitter against the Kansas City Royals in 1970.

  • New York Yankees LF David Justice (Thomas More KY assists leader in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg and 3.5 rpg) homered twice against the Detroit Tigers in a 2000 contest.

  • Detroit Tigers SS Harvey Kuenn (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin in 1951-52 after competing on JV squad previous season) went 5-for-5 against the Cleveland Indians in a 1956 outing.

  • Washington Senators CF Don Lock (paced Wichita State in field-goal percentage in 1956-57 and 1957-58 under coach Ralph Miller) had a 15-game hitting streak snapped by the Detroit Tigers in 1963.

  • Los Angeles Dodgers 2B Davey Lopes (NAIA All-District 15 selection for Iowa Wesleyan averaged 16.9 ppg as freshman in 1964-65 and 12.1 ppg as sophomore in 1965-66 before transferring with his coach to Washburn KS where he was an All-CIC choice for 1968 NAIA Tournament team) stole three bases against the San Francisco Giants in a 1976 contest. Lopes pilfered at least one base nine times in a 10-game span earlier in the month.

  • Boston Red Sox 3B Buddy Myer (Mississippi State hoops letterman in 1923-24) went 4-for-4 against the Detroit Tigers in a 1928 game.

  • C Cal Neeman (Illinois Wesleyan's leading scorer in 1947-48 and 1948-49) clubbed two-out, 10th-inning walk-off homer off Eddie Fisher (Oklahoma freshman hooper in mid-1950s) to give the Chicago Cubs a 9-8 triumph against the San Francisco Giants in 1959.

  • Chicago Cubs RF Bill Nicholson (hoops guard for Washington College MD two years in mid-1930s) homered twice against the Philadelphia Phillies in a 1943 contest.

  • Detroit Tigers LF Jim Northrup (second-leading scorer and third-leading rebounder for Alma MI in 1958-59) homered twice against the Boston Red Sox in a 1973 outing.

  • Detroit Tigers LHP Phil Page (Penn State hoops letterman in 1926-27) didn't allow an earned run in winning his second start in as many MLB appearances (both complete games in 1928).

  • New York Giants RHP Roy Parmelee (Eastern Michigan hoops letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) fired his second four-hit shutout of the 1934 campaign.

  • Chicago Cubs RHP Claude Passeau (Millsaps MS hooper in late 1920s and early 1930s) scattered four hits and helped cause with a homer in a 10-0 rout of the St. Louis Cardinals as he posted his 20th triumph in 1940.

  • Detroit Tigers rookie 3B Nolen Richardson (Georgia captain in 1925-26 as All-Southern Conference Tournament selection) notched his fourth consecutive multiple-hit contest in 1931.

  • Brooklyn Dodgers LHP Preacher Roe (Harding AR hooper in late 1930s) improved his record to 22-2 in 1951 with a 6-3 decision over the Philadelphia Phillies.

  • New York Yankees LHP Marius Russo (member of LIU teams compiling 50-2 record in 1934-35 and 1935-36 under legendary coach Clair Bee) tossed a two-hit shutout against the Detroit Tigers in 1943.

  • 2B Wayne Terwilliger (two-year hoops letterman for Western Michigan in late 1940s) awarded on waivers from the Brooklyn Dodgers to the Washington Senators in 1952.

  • Cincinnati Reds 3B Billy Werber (first Duke hoops All-American in 1929-30) homered in both ends of a 1939 doubleheader sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

  • Philadelphia Phillies CF Cy Williams (Notre Dame forward in 1909-10) went 4-for-4 and scored three runs in a 7-6 win against the Boston Braves in opener of 1920 twinbill.

  • In 1978, San Diego Padres CF Dave Winfield (starting forward for Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) walloped the 100th of his 465 MLB career homers.

  • San Francisco Giants CF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) registered three doubles against the Milwaukee Brewers in a 2006 game.

  • New York Giants 1B Babe Young (Fordham hoops letterman in 1935-36) blasted two homers in a 1939 game against the Boston Braves.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling September 22 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads and multiple anthems, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three do-everything members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on September 22 in football at the professional level (especially in 1963, 1968 and 2013):

SEPTEMBER 22

  • Green Bay Packers WR Don Beebe (Aurora College IL junior varsity hooper in 1983-84) delivered a career-long 80-yard touchdown reception from Brett Favre in 30-21 setback against the Minnesota Vikings in 1996.

  • 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 season opener. Giants TB Ed Danowski (Fordham hoops letterman in 1932-33) threw two of his league-high 10 TD passes,

  • 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.

  • 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 AAFC 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 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. Two of the TD passes were in the second half to WR Sonny Randle (scoreless in seven basketball games in Virginia's third season in ACC in 1955-56). 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.

  • Green Bay Packers RB Aaron Jones (collected six points and six assists in eight basketball games for Texas-El Paso in 2013-14 under coach Tim Floyd) rushed for two touchdowns in a 27-16 win against the Denver Broncos in 2019.

  • 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 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 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 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 kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown in 41-10 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1940 season opener.

  • 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 touchdown in 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 AFL setback against the Boston Patriots in 1963.

  • Philadelphia Eagles HB Bosh Pritchard (four-sport letterman for VMI) accounted for the game's only score with a 16-yard rushing touchdown in 7-0 win against the New York Bulldogs in 1949 season opener.

  • 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.

  • First NFL reception for Miami Dolphins rookie TE Dion Sims (played one basketball game with Michigan State under coach Tom Izzo in 2009-10) was a game-winning touchdown with 38 seconds remaining in 27-23 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 2013.

  • Kansas City Chiefs FL Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M) caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 34-2 AFL 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 touchdown in 32-13 AAFC win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1946.

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