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

January 3rd, 2024 - 9:30

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on January 3 in football at the professional level (especially for San Francisco 49ers in playoff games following 1970, 1981, 1997 and 1998 seasons):

JANUARY 3

  • Buffalo Bills WR Don Beebe (Aurora College IL junior varsity hooper in 1983-84) delivered a 38-yard touchdown reception in 41-38 win against the Houston Oilers in AFC wild-card game following 1992 season.

  • Seattle Seahawks TE John Carlson (played in three Notre Dame basketball games in 2003-04 under coach Mike Brey) finished 2009 regular season by catching a touchdown pass from QB Matt Hasselbeck in each of his last four outings.

  • Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) had a playoff-career high seven pass receptions - including go-ahead touchdown in second quarter - in 31-16 divisional-round win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1981.

  • Baltimore Colts CB Jim Duncan (UMES hooper) returned four kickoffs for 105 yards (26.3 average) in a 27-17 AFC Conference playoff win against the Oakland Raiders following 1970 season.

  • TE Darren Fells (averaged 10.2 ppg and 6.3 rpg from 2004-05 through 2007-08, leading UCI in rebounding each of last three seasons) opened the Arizona Cardinals' scoring by catching a touchdown pass in 27-16 wild-card playoff setback against the Carolina Panthers following 2014 season.

  • San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) had eight pass receptions in a 23-17 wild-card playoff win in overtime against the Indianapolis Colts following 2008 season.

  • Minnesota Vikings TE Andrew Glover (All-SWAC second-team selection as senior in 1990-91 when leading Grambling with 16.2 ppg and 8.6 rpg while pacing league in field-goal shooting) had three pass receptions for 84 yards in a 38-22 NFC divisional playoff setback against the San Francisco 49ers following 1997 season. 49ers RB Terry Kirby (averaged 2.8 ppg for Virginia in 1989-90 and 1990-91) rushed for 120 yards including two touchdowns on goal-line plunges.

  • TE Demetrius Harris (led Milwaukee in FG% and rebounding as senior in 2012-13) contributed the Kansas City Chiefs' final score with a 15-yard touchdown reception from Alex Smith in 23-17 win against the Oakland Raiders in 2015 season finale.

  • Baltimore Ravens TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) caught a 35-yard touchdown pass in 20-17 wild-card playoff setback against the Tennessee Titans following 2003 season.

  • St. Louis Rams WR Jordan Kent (part-time starter for Oregon under his father while averaging 3.1 ppg and 3.3 rpg from 2003-04 through 2005-06) had his lone NFL pass reception (five yards against San Francisco 49ers in 2009 regular-season finale).

  • San Francisco 49ers DB Ronnie Lott (USC hooper as junior in 1979-80) had two interceptions - returning one 20 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown - in 38-24 NFC divisional playoff win against the New York Giants following 1981 season. Giants LB Brad Van Pelt (averaged 3.6 ppg and 2.4 rpg for Michigan State in 1970-71 and 1971-72) provided one sack.

  • San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UT Chattanooga hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught a game-winning 25-yard touchdown pass from Steve Young with eight seconds remaining in 30-27 NFC wild-card playoff win against the Green Bay Packers following 1998 season. Niners RB Terry Kirby (hooper for Virginia's NCAA tourney teams in 1989-90 and 1990-91) chipped in with 32 rushing yards on five carries and two pass receptions.

  • Carolina Panthers DE Julius Peppers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 60.7% from floor for North Carolina in 1999-00 and 2000-01) returned an interception 34 yards in 29-10 NFC wild-card playoff win against the Dallas Cowboys following 2003 season. Cowboys PK Billy Cundiff (played in nine basketball contests with Drake in 1999-00 and 2000-01) converted a 37-yard field goal.

  • Minnesota Vikings TE Joe Senser (two-time NCAA Division I leader in FG% averaged 11.4 ppg and 7.4 rpg while shooting 66.2% from floor in four-year career for West Chester State PA in late 1970s) caught four passes in a 31-16 NFC divisional-round playoff setback against the Philadelphia Eagles following 1980 campaign.

  • Cincinnati Bengals WR David Verser (Kansas hooper in five games in 1977-78 under coach Ted Owens) returned four kickoffs for 94 yards in a 28-21 win against the Buffalo Bills in AFC divisional-round playoff game following 1981 season.

  • San Francisco 49ers TE Bob Windsor (played two games for Kentucky in 1965-66 under coach Adolph Rupp) caught three passes for 70 yards in a 17-10 NFC Championship setback against the Dallas Cowboys following 1970 season. Cowboys WR Reggie Rucker (averaged 6.8 ppg and 3.8 rpg for Boston University in 1966-67) caught one pass for 21 yards from Craig Morton.