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 6 football at the professional level (especially in 1963):

OCTOBER 6

• Boston Redskins RB Cliff Battles (four seasons of varsity hoops for West Virginia Wesleyan) contributed an 85-yard kickoff return for touchdown against the New York Giants in 1935. Giants TB Ed Danowski (Fordham hoops letterman in 1932-33) threw two of his league-high 10 TD passes in second quarter to B Dale Burnett (two-time all-conference hooper for Emporia State KS) in a 20-12 win.

• Kansas City Chiefs LB Bobby Bell (first African-American hooper for Minnesota in 1960-61) returned an interception 28 yards for touchdown in 17-14 setback against the Denver Broncos in 1974.

• Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw four touchdown passes in a 28-7 AFL win against the Houston Oilers in 1963.

• Chicago Cardinals E Billy Dewell (three-time All-SWC first-team hoops pick for SMU in late 1930s) had one of his league-high seven pass reception touchdowns - 82 yards from Paul Christman - in a 34-17 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1946.

• Oakland Raiders rookie TE Rickey Dudley (averaged 13.3 ppg and 7.5 rpg as senior in 1994-95 when leading Ohio State in rebounding and finishing third in scoring) caught two touchdown passes from Jeff Hostetler in a 34-13 win against the New York Jets in 1996.

• Capping off 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 135 yards in a 26-18 win against the Chicago Bears in 2013.

• Los Angeles Rams rookie B Tom Harmon (averaged 7.6 ppg as sophomore in 1938-39 when leading Michigan in scoring in five contests) returned an interception 85 yards for touchdown in 21-17 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1946.

• Philadelphia Eagles QB King Hill (Rice hoops letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) threw two touchdown passes in a 24-21 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1963.

• 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 318 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-35 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in 2003.

• St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw three second-half touchdown passes to WR Sonny Randle (scoreless in seven basketball games in Virginia's third season in ACC in 1955-56) in a 56-14 win against the Minnesota Vikings 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 four of his league-high 16 touchdowns in a 34-24 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 2019.

• Dallas Cowboys DE Ed "Too Tall" Jones (backup center averaged 1.7 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Tennessee State in 1969-70 and 1970-71) had 2 1/2 sacks in a 30-29 win against the New York Giants in 1985.

• New Orleans Saints QB Billy Kilmer (hooper under legendary UCLA coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 38-21 setback against the New York Giants in 1968.

• Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw two first-quarter touchdown passes in a 31-14 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1956.

• Miami Dolphins rookie RB Jerris McPhail (starting point guard for Mount Olive NC with 11 ppg in early 1990s) rushed once for 10 yards and had career highs of six pass receptions and 86 receiving yards in a 22-15 setback against the Seattle Seahawks in 1996.

• San Francisco 49ers rookie E R.C. Owens (led small colleges with 27.1 rpg in 1953-54 while also averaging 23.5 ppg for College of Idaho) caught two touchdown passes from Y.A. Tittle in a 23-20 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1957.

• Posting a career-high 117 rushing yards, a nine-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter by RB Preston Pearson (swingman averaged 8.7 ppg and 6 rpg as Illinois senior in 1966-67) propelled the Pittsburgh Steelers to 13-7 win against the Houston Oilers in 1974.

• New York Titans WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught 11 passes for 162 yards in a 43-14 AFL setback against the Boston Patriots in 1962.

• Philadelphia Eagles HB Bosh Pritchard (four-sport letterman for VMI) scored two touchdowns (68-yard rush and 35-yard pass reception) in a 49-25 win against the Boston Yanks in 1946.

• New England Patriots WR Reggie Rucker (averaged 6.8 ppg and 3.8 rpg for Boston University in 1966-67) caught two touchdown passes from Jim Plunkett in a 42-3 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1974.

• Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught five passes for 130 yards in a 34-13 win against the New England Patriots in 1997.

• Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 36-10 win against the Detroit Lions in 1975.

• Washington Redskins rookie HB Ed Sutton (seven games for North Carolina as sophomore in 1954-55) rushed for two third-quarter touchdowns in a 37-14 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1957.

• 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 142 yards - including two touchdowns - in a 50-34 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1963.

• Denver Broncos TE Julius Thomas (averaged 6.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg while shooting 66.3% from floor with Portland State from 2006-07 through 2009-10) caught nine passes for 122 yards - including two first-half touchdowns from Peyton Manning - in a 51-48 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 2013.

"Order in the courtroom - here come de judge!" This mantra, a familiar refrain decades ago to fans of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In, is associated with African-American comedians Sammy Davis Jr. and Flip Wilson playing magistrate with black robe and powdered wig. All should rise throughout the sports world and applaud anything to do with "judge" after basketball-player sized Aaron Judge (6-7) set A.L. record with 62 homers for the New York Yankees.

Flipping off reality with half a peace sign amid refusing to meet with nominee, deranged #Dimorats were again a bigger joke than Davis' entertaining Rat Pack slapstick at freak-show Judiciary Committee nomination hearings defecating in public on Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh. Dismissive diva Dianne Feinstein, a foolish fossil farce with which to be reckoned (COVID masks for thee but not for me), probably already has received intel from next Dr. Blah-Blah-Blah Fraud about unseemly incident at mysterious residence known only in myopic magistrate stalker Alyssa Milano's feeble brain. Meanwhile, CNN/MSNBC haughty hosts howling for misfit Michael #Avenaughty as President may have another creepy porn lawyer client handy to fictitiously claim firsthand knowledge regarding nominee participating in gang rape of Catholic males at "Handmaid's Tale" themed sorority party.

As for college basketball packing the court, a striking number of former hoopers are party to honorably performing judgeship role in real life. The state of Florida flaunts a triune tribunal of ex-players judged as vital for Florida, Florida State and Miami among the following alphabetical list "honoring the Judge" by going from the hardwood court to hard-fisted court of law:

CARLOS BEA, Stanford
Appointed to U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in 2003 by President George W. Bush. Bea served in that capacity until the end of 2019. . . . Averaged 1.8 ppg from 1953-54 through 1955-56. Member of Cuba's basketball squad in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics.

BILL BERNING, Valparaiso
Circuit Court Judge of Allen County (Ind.) Juvenile Division. . . . Averaged 5.7 ppg in 1950-51 and 1951-52.

JAMES "JEB" BOASBERG, Yale
In 2011, he was appointed U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia. Boasberg served as Presiding Judge of the U.S. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court in 2020 and 2021. In late April 2012, he ruled the public had no right to view government photographs of a deceased Osama Bin Laden. . . . The 6-5 Boasberg averaged 2.7 ppg and 1.9 rpg from 1981-82 through 1984-85.

FRANK BURGESS, Gonzaga
Appointed in 1994 by President Bill Clinton, he served as U.S. District Court Judge in Tacoma, Wash., until passing away in spring of 2010. . . . All-American guard averaged 28.2 ppg and 7.6 rpg from 1958-59 through 1960-61. Selected in the third round of the 1961 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of rebounder deluxe Bill Bridges (Kansas).

ED CAHN, Lehigh
After graduating Magna Cum Laude, he became a chief judge in Philadelphia from 1993 until retiring at the end of 1998, responsible for overseeing 35 federal district judges. He was nominated by President Gerald Ford in late November 1974 to a seat on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. . . . First player in Lehigh history to reach the 1,000-point plateau. Cahn, who earned second-team All-Pennsylvania honors, became his alma mater's all-time leading scorer in only his junior season (1953-54).

JAMES CAIN JR., McNeese State
Appointed by President Donald Trump to bench in U.S. District Court in Lake Charles, La., in summer of 2019. . . . Teammate of NBA standout guard Joe Dumars scored six points (hitting 3-of-5 field-goal attempts) while playing in 10 games for the Cowboys in 1984-85.

TOM CARROLL, Georgetown
In 1997, he began serving as a judge of the New York State Supreme Court, Kings County, Criminal Term, for more than 17 years. Retiring from the bench in early 2015, he was appointed a Judicial Hearing Officer. . . . Carroll scored six points in five basketball games for the Hoyas in 1963-64.

HARRY COE III, Florida
Circuit judge for 22 years was nicknamed "Hangin' Harry" for handing down what some observers deemed harsh jail sentences. Robert DuBoise, wrongfully convicted of rape and murder in 1983, and sentenced to death by Coe, was exonerated and released in late summer of 2020. As for Coe, he amassed thousands of dollars in gambling debts and used re-election campaign funds, among money from other outside sources, to pay them off before committing suicide in mid-July 2000 at the age of 68 (shot himself under an expressway). Coe, a lefthander who played hoops for the Gators in 1951-52 and 1952-53, compiled a 57-37 pitching record in the farm systems of the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies in four years (1953-56-57-58).

JAMES "CHIPPY" COLEMAN, Dartmouth
Superior Court juvenile judge in NJ from 1980 to 1987. . . . All-EIBL selection in 1945-46 and 1946-47. His college career was interrupted by serving in U.S. Army Air Corps in Italy during WWII.

BOBBY CONRAD JR., Clemson
In 2003, he was nominated to a federal judgeship (Western District of North Carolina) by President George Bush and served in that capacity until 2013. He had been instrumental in prosecuting supporters of a Hezbollah terrorist cell in the state. Conrad was scrutinized after sentencing a black man to life in prison for selling marijuana. . . . Illinois native averaged 4.7 ppg and 3.5 apg from 1976-77 through 1979-80. He led the Tigers in assists as a junior and senior. His son, Branden, played for South Carolina in 2007-08 and 2008-09.

HAL DeMOSS JR., Rice
Appointed judge in 1991 to U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals by President George H.W. Bush (served until retirement in 2015). . . . DeMoss averaged 1.1 ppg in 1949-50.

LEO DORADO, California
Appointed to the bench in 1988, Oakland Superior Court judge oversaw the 2003 marathon "Riders" trial of three police officers accused of corruption. Dorado left office in 2022. . . . He averaged 2.3 ppg for the Bears in 1969-70 and 1970-71.

STEVE EHLMANN, Furman
Circuit judge in St. Charles County (Mo.) until January, 2004, when he became the county's Director of Administration. Two years later, Ehlmann was elected County Executive. Previously, he served in the Missouri House of Representatives for four years and the Missouri Senate for eight years (serving two terms as Republican floor leader). . . . Forward averaged 1.4 ppg and 0.9 rpg in 36 games from 1970-71 through 1972-73. Played briefly in 1971 NCAA playoffs against Digger Phelps-coached Fordham.

HAROLD "JIM" ELLIS, Santa Clara
Appointed as a San Mateo County judge in 1988, where he served for more than 20 years. . . . Played seven games for the Broncos in 1962-63.

MARK FILLEY, Williams (Mass.)
Family court judge in his hometown of Troy, N.Y., from 1954 to 1971. . . . Filley played hoops in college in the early 1930s. Righthander appeared in one MLB game as a reliever for the Washington Senators in 1934.

WILLIAM "ROYAL" FURGESON JR., Texas Tech
Nominated by President Bill Clinton, he served as Judge in the U.S. District Court of Texas from 1994 to 2013. . . . Furgeson averaged 1.4 ppg in seven contests with the Red Raiders in 1961-62.

RON GAGNON, Providence
Appointed Associate Judge of the Rhode Island Superior Court in early 1988 before retiring from the bench in 2003. . . . Gagnon averaged 2 ppg for PC in 1950-51 and 1951-52.

HERB GALCHINSKY, Denver
Spent 16 years as Denver County Court judge. Mandatory retirement at 72 didn't prompt Galchinsky, nicknamed "Herby the Love Judge" by co-workers, to relinquish his weekend passion of performing weddings. "You get to see happy people for a change," he said. "You see a lot of things that are nasty in the courthouse. It's good for me to see happy people at the wedding and reception." . . . The 6-1 Galchinsky averaged 5.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg from 1957-58 through 1959-60.

EARLE GIBBONS, California
In 1969, Governor Ronald Reagan appointed him as a Municipal Court Judge. . . . Gibbons averaged 2.6 ppg for Cal from 1948-49 through 1950-51.

PAUL "BILL" GLENN, Florida State
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for more than 25 years. . . . Averaged 10.9 ppg and 5 rpg for FSU in 1965-66 and 1966-67. Team MVP as top scorer in coach Hugh Durham's first season with the Seminoles.

PAUL GRANT, Utah
At the age of 33, he was elected a city court judge. Eventually, Grant rose to the circuit court, where he earned a reputation as a decisive, no-nonsense judge with quick, dry wit. At the age of 56, he retired and moved to Wyoming in 1992. "I expected to stay on the bench for eight years, but there's the tyranny of the paycheck," Grant said. . . . Following a Mormon Church mission, Grant played sparingly for the Utes in 1958-59 under Hall of Fame coach Jack Gardner before quitting to enter law school. Father of 12 including three NCAA Division I players (Greg/18.8 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 2.7 apg and 2 spg for Utah State from 1982-83 through 1985-86; Nate/5.7 ppg and 4.1 rpg for Utah State in 1985-86 and 1986-87, and Josh/15.3 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 3 apg and 1.5 spg for Utah from 1988-89 through 1992-93). Greg (Big West in 1986) and Josh (WAC in 1991 and 1993) were conference MVPs.

FRED GREEN, Illinois
Republican was elected as a County Judge in 1956 and Circuit Judge in 1964. He became an Appellate Judge in 1974, retiring in 1998. . . . Green averaged 6.2 ppg for the Illini's national third-place team in 1949 under Harry Combes.

JACK HEKKER, Georgetown
Municipal Judge in South Nyack, N.Y., for 24 years and two years as a judge in Orangetown, N.Y. He was appointed by Gov. George Pataki to serve on New York State Industrial Board of Appeals. . . . Hekker averaged 3.6 ppg with the Hoyas from 1950-51 through 1952-53.

BILL JOHNSON, Dartmouth
Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court from 1985 to 1999. Chairman of the N.H. Republican party from 1964 to 1966. . . . Scored eight points in 13 games in 1950-51.

MARC KELLY, Notre Dame
Judge of the Superior Court of Orange County in California since 2000. In the spring of 2015, the County Board of supervisors formally demanded his resignation following a decision to give less than half the mandatory sentenced to a man who sexually assaulted a three-year-old girl. But a grassroots recall effort fizzled following organizers failing to secure enough signatures to put a recall measure on the June 2016 ballot. . . . Collected 20 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists and 6 steals in 45 games from 1978-79 through 1981-82 under coach Digger Phelps.

JOHN KIRWAN, Detroit
Elected to Wayne County (MI) Circuit Court from which he retired in 1998 after more than 40 years of public service. . . . Team leader in scoring in 1948-49, member of the Titans' first-ever 20-win team as junior (1949-50) and All-Missouri Valley Conference second-team selection as senior.

ROSS KRUMM, Gettysburg (Pa.)
Serving from 1986 to 2012, he was chief judge for U.S. bankruptcy court/Western District of Virginia. . . . Averaged 4.5 ppg and 4.4 rpg from 1965-66 through 1967-68.

FRED LEWIS, Florida Southern
Justice on the Florida Supreme Court from end of 1998 to early 2019. . . . The 5-10 Lewis, born to a coal mining family in West Virginia, averaged 6.9 ppg from 1965-66 through 1968-69.

PLUMMER LOTT, Seattle
Justice for the Supreme Court of Kings County in Brooklyn from 1996 to early 2009, presiding primarily over felony cases. One of the best-know cases involved a con man who posed as film legend Sidney Poitier's son, inspiring the play Six Degrees of Separation and a 1994 film adaptation of the same name. Appointed as a Justice of the Appellate Division in spring of 2009. . . . Averaged 9.1 ppg and 6.2 rpg for SU from 1964-65 through 1966-67. As a senior, he grabbed a team-high seven rebounds in 62-54 defeat against defending champion Texas Western in West Regional of NCAA tourney.

ARNOLD LYNCH, Austin Peay State
District Judge in Kentucky for more than 12 years before hanging up robe in late 2014. . . . Averaged 1.1 ppg and 1.3 rpg in 16 games for APSU in 1974-75.

L. CASEY MANNING, South Carolina
Circuit Court Judge for the Fifth Judicial Circuit in South Carolina for 28 years until retiring in early 2023. Served as Assistant Attorney General for the state of South Carolina for five years (1983-88) and Chief of Prosecutions (1988 and 1989). In the spring of 2014, some observers think Manning took a "flop" on wrong court with a ruling establishing criminal immunity for legislators. . . . Averaged 2.4 ppg for three NCAA tourney teams from 1970-71 through 1972-73 under coach Frank McGuire.

JOHN McCARTY, Florida
In 1957, brother of former Florida Governor Dan McCarty was appointed judge of the 9th Judicial District, serving as a circuit judge until his resignation in 1959. He subsequently mounted an unsuccessful campaign for Governor himself in 1960. . . . Hoops letterman with the Gators in 1936-37.

JOE BILLY McDADE, Bradley
Senior U.S. District Court Judge in Central Illinois since end of February 2010. . . . Averaged 9.8 ppg and 7.2 rpg for BU from 1956-57 through 1958-59 for three NIT teams.

DENNIS McGUIRE, DePaul
Judge on Cook County 11th Subcircuit in Illinois since 2002. . . . The 6-8 McGuire averaged 2.1 ppg and 1.5 rpg for the Blue Demons from 1977-78 through 1980-81 under coach Ray Meyer, appearing in 1979 Final Four.

TYRONE MEDLEY, Utah
Utah's first black judge (appointed to Fifth District Court in late 1984) served on the bench until retiring in summer of 2012. . . . Averaged 11 ppg and 2 rpg for the Utes from 1971-72 through 1973-74 under coach Bill E. Foster. As a senior, he averaged 16.4 ppg was for their NIT champion.

MICHAEL F. MULLEN, Fairfield
In January 1987, he was appointed a Judge of the Court of Claims by New York Governor Mario M. Cuomo and for 20 years sat in the Supreme Court, Suffolk County. He was described by the New York Post as "a fair, no-nonsense, scholarly jurist who doesn't like cases to drag on." . . . Collected 18 points and 10 rebounds with the Stags in seven games in 1958-59.

JOEL NOVAK, Iowa
Appointed as a 5th Judicial District Court trial judge in August 1979, serving in that capacity until September 2017. . . . Averaged 3.5 ppg and 1.8 rpg with the Hawkeyes in 1960-61 and 1961-62 as teammate of All-American Don Nelson.

MIKE O'MELIA, Wisconsin
In 1984, he was appointed a Superior Court Judge for the State of Arizona. . . . O'Melia averaged 7.6 ppg and 2.5 rpg from 1961-62 through 1963-64, earning All-Big Ten Conference third-team honors as a sophomore.

ANDY OWENS, Florida
Appointed judge for the state's 12th Judicial Circuit in 1983, serving on the bench until spring of 2017. . . . Averaged 19 ppg and 8.3 rpg with the Gators from 1967-68 through 1969-70. As an All-SEC first-team selection, he scored career-high 41 points in game against Mississippi State his senior season.

LARRY "CHOPPY" PATTERSON, Clemson
Circuit court judge in South Carolina had a by-the-book, tight-ship reputation. . . . Averaged 14.9 ppg and 3.7 rpg from 1959-60 through 1962-63 (redshirt in 1961-62). All-ACC selection his first two varsity seasons.

KENNETH RYSKAMP, Miami (Fla.)
Federal judge who presided over cases in the U.S. Southern District of Florida for more than three decades following President Ronald Reagan's nomination in 1986. President George H.W. Bush twice nominated Ryskamp to the appellate court, but he was defeated both times after senators, including Joe Biden and Bob Graham, raised questions about his sensitivity to minority groups. . . . The 6-6 Ryskamp averaged a team-high 9.5 rpg with the Hurricanes in 1954-55 under coach Bruce Hale.

HUGH SNODGRASS, Texas Tech
Appointed a Judge by Texas Governor Preston Smith to the 193rd District Court in 1969. . . . All-Border Conference first-team selection in 1935-36 and 1936-37.

DERWIN WEBB, Louisville
First African-American to serve as a judge solely in Louisville's Family Court in the history of Commonwealth of Kentucky. He was publicly reprimanded by the Kentucky Supreme Court for an error in private practice causing a former female client to be married to two men at the same time. . . . Webb averaged 3.5 ppg and 1.7 rpg with the Cardinals from 1989-90 through 1992-93 under coach Denny Crum.

LAWRENCE WEISS, Rutgers
Presided as Union County (N.J.) District Court Judge, Superior Court, Criminal Part and Civil Part until mandatory retirement in July 2002. . . . The 6-3 Weiss averaged 4.4 ppg and 4.5 rpg in 1951-52 and 1953-54.

ALBERT WHITE JR., Baylor
Judge of Texas' 236th Judicial District from the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s. . . . Played for the Bears in the mid-1950s, scoring a total of 143 points in 1953-54 and 1954-55 under coach Bill Henderson.

BYRON "WHIZZER" WHITE, Colorado
United States Supreme Court Justice for 32 years after being appointed by President Kennedy in 1962. White, a dissenter in the 7-2 Roe vs. Wade ruling, was known for his regard for the power of Congress. On the bench, White was a fierce questioner who seemed to revel in backing a lawyer into a corner. White's most controversial verdict was his 1986 majority opinion upholding Georgia's ban on consensual homosexual conduct. . . . College Football Hall of Famer finished second in the 1937 Heisman Trophy voting after rushing for a national-leading 1,121 yards, passing for 475, returning punts and kickoffs for 746, punting for a 42.5-yard average, intercepting four passes and scoring a nation-leading 122 points. Played three seasons in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers (1938) and Detroit Lions (1940 and 1941). He led the NFL in rushing in 1938 and 1940 and in punt returns in 1941. White was one of the first big-money players, making $15,800 as a rookie. In a low-scoring era of basketball, he averaged 6.8 ppg for the Buffaloes in conference play in three varsity seasons (1935-36 through 1937-38). White scored 10 points in 1938 NIT championship game when Colorado was defeated by Temple, 60-36. He was a third-team all-league selection as a sophomore (7.7 ppg in Rocky Mountain) and first team as a junior (RMC) and senior (Mountain States). After CU's 48-47 victory over NYU in 1938 NIT semifinals, the New York Times wrote that "White was the guiding genius of the team and its steadying influence. The Rhodes Scholar, with a build as solid as an oak tree, was all-powerful on defense and an excellent shot when he chose."

PAUL "HOOKS" YESAWICH JR., Niagara
New York Judge served as a member of the Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court/First Judicial Department from 1974 to 1981. . . . Four-year letterman averaged 8.6 ppg as a senior in 1947-48 under coach Taps Gallagher. Yesawich's college career was interrupted by serving as officer in U.S. Navy during WWII. He was deployed on attack cargo ship participating in largest amphibious assault of conflict at Okinawa.

Extra! Extra! Instead of wondering if Plagiarist Bile-dumb's cartoon character Mr. Magoo "malarkey" will take-behind-gym challenge via a push-up contest, seek to sniff their hair or threaten to have hideous Hunter negotiate deal with them on "big guy's" behalf if Republicans clean his clock in mid-term elections, 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.

Two former hoopers from Kentucky small colleges - "Sweet" Lou Johnson (Kentucky State) and David Justice (Thomas More) - made MLB postseason competition news on this date. Ditto for a pair of ex-hoopers from Pennsylvania small colleges - Charlie Gelbert (Lebanon Valley) and Monte Irvin (Lincoln) - in World Series play. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 5 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 5

• RHP Ralph Branca (sixth-leading basketball scorer for NYU in 1943-44) won Game 6 of the 1947 World Series for the Brooklyn Dodgers when he was helped by Al Gionfriddo's famous catch of New York Yankees Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio's long drive to left field.

• Minnesota Twins INF John Castino (medical redshirt for Rollins FL in 1973-74 under coach Ed Jucker) closed out 1980 campaign by hitting safely in 13th of last 14 contests.

• Milwaukee Braves OF John DeMerit (Wisconsin hoops letterman in 1956-57) served as a pinch-runner in Game 3 of the 1957 World Series.

• New York Giants 3B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) went 4-for-4 against the New York Yankees in the opener of the 1921 World Series.

• St. Louis Cardinals SS Charlie Gelbert (scored at least 125 points each of last three seasons in late 1920s with Lebanon Valley PA) hit safely in first four World Series games against the Philadelphia Athletics in 1930.

• New York Giants INF Eddie Grant (paced Harvard's freshman hoops squad in scoring in 1902 and played varsity as sophomore before declared ineligible for receiving money in independent summer baseball league) died from German shelling in 1918 in the Argonne Forest, France, during WWI while in charge of his battalion after his commanding officer was killed.

• Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Mark Hendrickson (two-time All-Pacific-10 Conference selection was Washington State's leading rebounder each season from 1992-93 through 1995-96) allowed his only hit in three scoreless relief appearances against the New York Mets in the 2006 NLDS.

• 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) went 3-for-3, including a two-run double putting the Brooklyn Dodgers ahead for good, in a 13-8 win against the New York Yankees in Game 2 of the 1956 World Series. Three years later in the 1959 WS, Hodges' homer in the bottom of the eighth inning gave the Dodgers a 5-4 triumph against the Chicago White Sox in Game 4.

• New York Giants LF Monte Irvin (Lincoln PA hooper 1 1/2 years in late 1930s) hit safely seven straight times in the 1951 World Series against the New York Yankees.

• Baltimore Orioles 2B Davey Johnson (averaged 1.7 ppg in 1961-62 with Texas A&M) homered in back-to-back 1970 ALCS games against the Minnesota Twins.

• Los Angeles Dodgers RF "Sweet" Lou Johnson (Kentucky State teammate of legendary coach Davey Whitney averaged 5.7 ppg and 2 rpg in 1951-52), blanked by Dave McNally and Moe Drabowsky of the Baltimore Orioles in the 1966 opener, went hitless for the only time in his last nine World Series contests.

• DH David Justice (Thomas More KY assists leader in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg and 3.5 rpg) homered off Dwight Gooden to help the Cleveland Indians square their 1997 ALDS at two games apiece with the New York Yankees.

• New York Yankees LF Charlie Keller (Maryland three-year hoops letterman from 1934-35 through 1936-37) contributed four hits, including a go-ahead, two-run double in the ninth inning, in a 7-4 victory against the Brooklyn Dodgers in Game 4 of the 1941 World Series.

• Los Angeles Dodgers 2B Davey Lopes (NAIA All-District 15 selection for Iowa Wesleyan averaged 16.9 ppg as All-Iowa Conference freshman selection in 1964-65 and 12.1 as sophomore in 1965-66 before transferring with his coach to Washburn KS) contributed a homer and triple while knocking in three runs in a 4-0 decision over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 2 of 1978 NLCS.

• CF Bake McBride (averaged 12.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 21 games with Westminster MO in 1968-69 and 1969-70) accounted for the Philadelphia Phillies' lone run with a homer in a 7-1 setback against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of the 1977 NLCS.

• 2B Buddy Myer (Mississippi State hoops letterman in 1923-24) manufactured three hits, scored the Washington Senators' first run and drove in their last two runs in a 4-0 win against the New York Giants in Game 3 of the 1933 World Series.

• Atlanta Braves rookie RHP Gary Neibauer (collected 13 points and 9 rebounds in 16 games for Nebraska in 1964-65 under coach Joe Cipriano) hurled a scoreless ninth inning in Game 2 of 1969 NLCS against the New York Mets.

• Chicago Cubs RHP Claude Passeau (hoops letterman with Millsaps MS in late 1920s and early 1930s) hurled a one-hit shutout against the Detroit Tigers in Game 3 of the 1945 World Series.

• RHP Nels Potter (leading scorer during two years he attended Mount Morris IL in early 1930s) selected from the St. Louis Cardinals by the Philadelphia Athletics in 1937 Rule 5 draft.

• Philadelphia Phillies RHP Robin Roberts (Michigan State's second-leading scorer in 1945-46 and 1946-47) lost Game 2 of the 1950 World Series against the New York Yankees, 2-1, on Joe DiMaggio's leadoff homer in the 10th inning.

• New York Giants RHP Hal Schumacher (St. Lawrence NY hooper in early 1930s) notched the victory in Game 5 of the 1936 World Series against the New York Yankees. Schumacher lost Game 2 three days earlier.

• Kansas City Royals LHP Paul Splittorff (runner-up in scoring and rebounding for Morningside IA in 1967-68) yielded only one hit in combining with Rich Gale (led New Hampshire with 7.2 rpg in 1975-76) for a 4-0 triumph against the Minnesota Twins in 1980.

• St. Louis Cardinals RHP Ray Washburn (Whitworth WA scoring leader named All-Evergreen Conference in 1958-59 and 1959-60) won Game 3 of the 1968 World Series against the Detroit Tigers.

• In 1985, RF Dave Winfield (starting forward with Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) became the first New York Yankee to collect 100 RBI and score 100 runs in a single season since Joe DiMaggio in 1942.

• Chicago Cubs starting RHP Zip Zabel (premier hooper for Baker KS from 1913 through 1915) hurled five scoreless innings in his MLB debut, earning victory in a 5-1 decision over the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1913. The next year, he won his last three decisions, compiling a 1.83 ERA in 13 outings covering 54 innings from beginning of August to end of 1914 campaign.

Extra! Extra! Instead of wondering on the first anniversary of "Let's Go Brandon" chant why anyone with functioning brain expected Plagiarist Bile-dumb to stand up to Odd Squad radicals and rape-fantasy socialist essaying Bozo Bernie after incoherent divider-in-chief failed to forcefully deal with Taliban thugs and flood of border-crossing illegal aliens, 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 New York colleges - Hank Greenberg (NYU), Jim Konstanty (Syracuse), Marius Russo (LIU) and Hal Schumacher (St. Lawrence) - supplied significant World Series performances on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 4 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 4

• RHP Elden Auker (All-Big Six Conference first-five basketball selection with Kansas State in 1931-32) helped the Detroit Tigers capture their first World Series in 1935, starting Game 3 against the Chicago Cubs and allowing two earned runs in six innings in a contest Detroit won in extra frames.

• In a one-game playoff for the 1948 A.L. pennant, Cleveland Indians player-manager Lou Boudreau (leading scorer for Illinois' 1937 Big Ten Conference co-champion) banged out four hits, including two homers, in an 8-3 win at Boston. Boudreau finished the year with only nine strikeouts, the lowest number by any regular since 1922.

• Baltimore Orioles CF Al Bumbry (Virginia State's runner-up in scoring with 16.7 ppg as freshman in 1964-65) collected three hits, two runs and two stolen bases in a 9-8 triumph against the California Angels in Game 2 of the 1979 ALCS.

• Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Bud Culloton (Fordham hoops letterman from 1919 through 1921) started and yielded only one earned run in five innings but dropped his lone MLB decision (4-1 in nightcap of 1925 doubleheader).

• New York Giants SS Alvin Dark (hoops letterman for LSU and USL during World War II) delivered a three-run homer against New York Yankees P Allie Reynolds in the opener of the 1951 World Series. Thirteen years later, Dark was dismissed as San Francisco Giants manager in 1964.

• In 1930, St. Louis Cardinals CF Taylor Douthit (California hoops letterman from 1922 through 1924), who hit an anemic .140 in 13 career World Series contests, broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning by smacking his lone postseason homer in a 5-0 victory against the Philadelphia Athletics in Game 3.

• California Angels RHP Dave Frost (averaged 10.5 ppg and 4 rpg for Stanford from 1971-72 through 1973-74) lost his lone postseason start (against Baltimore Orioles in Game 2 of 1979 ALCS).

• INF Charlie Gelbert (scored at least 125 points each of his last three seasons with Lebanon Valley PA in late 1920s) selected by the Washington Senators from the St. Louis Browns in 1938 Rule 5 draft.

• In the opener of the 1967 World Series, St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer in 1955-56 and 1956-57) fanned 10 Boston batters in a 2-1 triumph. Red Sox OF Norm Siebern (member of Southwest Missouri State squads capturing back-to-back NAIA Tournament titles in 1952 and 1953) led off the bottom of the eighth inning with a pinch single off Gibson but his pinch-runner was left stranded.

• Detroit Tigers LF Hank Greenberg (attended NYU briefly on hoops scholarship in 1929) whacked a decisive three-run homer in a 4-1 Game 2 victory against the Chicago Cubs in the 1945 World Series.

• In the opening game of 1951 World Series, LF Monte Irvin (Lincoln PA hooper 1 1/2 years in late 1930s) stole home and collected four hits to spark the New York Giants to a 5-1 victory against the New York Yankees.

• New York Yankees LF Charlie Keller (Maryland three-year hoops letterman from 1934-35 through 1936-37) launched his second homer of the 1942 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

• RHP Jim Konstanty (Syracuse hooper in late 1930s), after making 133 straight relief appearances for the Philadelphia Phillies, started Game 1 of the 1950 World Series but lost against the New York Yankees, 1-0.

• Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) swiped three bases against the Baltimore Orioles in Game 3 of the 1996 ALDS. Nine years later, Lofton collected three hits and four RBI against the New York Yankees in the 2007 ALDS opener.

• Philadelphia Phillies OF Jerry Martin (1971 Southern Conference Tournament MVP after he was Furman's runner-up in scoring previous season) smacked a pinch homer against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the opener of the 1978 NLCS.

• St. Francisco Giants RHP Roger Mason (multiple-year hoops letterman in late 1970s for Saginaw Valley State MI) tossed his lone MLB shutout (four-hitter with 10 strikeouts against Atlanta Braves in 1985).

• Minnesota Twins 2B Dan Monzon (played hoops briefly for Buena Vista IA in 1964-65) scored four runs against the Chicago White Sox in a 1972 contest.

• In 1930, Chicago White Sox rookie OF Jimmy Moore (Union TN hoops standout in late 1920s) stroked a pinch-hit single in his first World Series at-bat in Game 3 against the St. Louis Cardinals.

• New York Giants RF Red Murray (played hoops for Lock Haven PA in early 1900s) stole three bases in a 1912 game against the Brooklyn Dodgers.

• RF Bill Nicholson (hooper for Washington College MD in mid-1930s) traded by the Chicago Cubs to the Philadelphia Phillies for former N.L. batting champion Harry Walker in 1948.

• RHP Roy Parmelee (hoops letterman for Eastern Michigan in 1924-25 and 1925-26) selected from the Boston Red Sox by the Philadelphia Athletics in 1938 Rule 5 draft.

• RHP Cotton Pippen (Texas Western hoops letterman in 1929-30) selected from the St. Louis Cardinals by the Philadelphia Athletics in 1938 Rule 5 draft.

• Jim Riggleman (two-year hoops letterman for Frostburg State MD averaged 7.2 ppg in early 1970s) fired as Chicago Cubs manager in 1999.

• New York Yankees LHP Marius Russo (member of LIU teams compiling a 50-2 record in 1934-35 and 1935-36 under legendary coach Clair Bee) hurled a four-hitter in a 2-1 verdict over the Brooklyn Dodgers in Game 3 of the 1941 World Series. In the seventh inning of a scoreless tie, Russo broke P Fred Fitzsimmons' knee with a line drive.

• New York Giants RHP Hal Schumacher (St. Lawrence NY hooper in early 1930s) tossed a five-hitter in 6-1 victory in Game 2 of the 1933 World Series against the Washington Senators.

• Baltimore Orioles RHP Tim Stoddard (starting forward opposite All-American David Thompson for North Carolina State's 1974 NCAA champion) yielded a run in final relief appearance of 1980 campaign after holding the opposition scoreless in previous 14-game span during the month when he recorded seven saves.

• Rookie 3B Jim Thome (juco hooper for Illinois Central in 1988-89) jacked his first of 612 MLB homers - a two-out, two-run clout in top of ninth inning - to give the Cleveland Indians a 3-2 win against the New York Yankees in 1991.

• Cincinnati Reds 3B Billy Werber (Duke's first hoops All-American in 1929-30) contributed three hits in a 7-4 setback against the Detroit Tigers in Game 3 of 1940 World Series.

Extra! Extra! Amid citations to unmasked 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.

• 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.

Extra! Extra! Instead of cursing at pathological liar Plagiarist Bile-dumb's latest tall tale 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.

• 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.

Extra! Extra! Instead of deriding deranged #Dimorat mandates firing thousands of health-care workers despite numerous short-staffed hospitals in midst of the pandemic while concurrently allowing thousands of unvaccinated illegal aliens into the 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.

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.

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

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.

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 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 (William & Mary hoops letterman in 1942 and 1943) 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.

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 (TCU three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw five touchdown passes - three of them at least 36 yards. Redskins B Dick Poillon (Canisius hooper in early 1940s) caught a 57-yard TD pass from Baugh. In his NFL debut as E, teammate Hugh Taylor (led OCU in scoring with 11.4 ppg as senior in 1947) caught three TD passes from Baugh and amassed 212 yards receiving.

• Chicago Bears TE Martellus Bennett (averaged 1.9 ppg and 1.5 rpg as Texas A&M freshman in 2005-06 before playing hoops briefly next season under coach Billy Gillispie) had nine pass receptions for a career-high 134 yards in 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.

• 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.

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.

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. The next year, Graham threw two third-quarter TD passes in a 21-10 win against the Rockets in 1948.

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) passed for 309 yards, including two fourth-quarter touchdowns, in a 30-20 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 2004.

• St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) passed for 310 yards and six touchdowns in a 49-13 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1965. 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.