On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling January 14 NFL Postseason

January 14th, 2024 - 11:11

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug 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 14 in football at the professional level (especially Pro Bowl MVPs Otto Graham and Jim Brown from the Cleveland Browns):

JANUARY 14

  • Following the 1961 season, Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (#2-scorer with 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore in 1954-55 before averaging 11.3 as junior) earned his first of three NFL Pro Bowl MVP awards in a five-year span.

  • San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught six passes for 61 yards in 24-21 setback against the New England Patriots in AFC divisional-round playoff game following 2006 season. Chargers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's scoring leader with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) chipped in with two receptions for 43 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 two touchdown passes from Drew Brees - including 66-yarder - in a 36-32 NFC divisional-round playoff setback against the San Francisco 49ers following 2011 season. Five years later with the Seattle Seahawks, Graham opened game's scoring with TD reception in a 36-20 setback against the Atlanta Falcons in NFC divisional-round contest following 2016 campaign.

  • Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) named NFL Pro Bowl MVP following 1950 season.

  • Quarterbacks Bob Griese (Purdue hooper in 1964-65) of the Miami Dolphins and Billy Kilmer (UCLA hooper in 1959-60 under coach John Wooden) of the Washington Redskins squared off against each other in Super Bowl VII following the 1972 season. A 28-yard touchdown pass by Griese in the opening quarter proved to the margin of victory in a 14-7 verdict. Dolphins starters included LT Wayne Moore (averaged 5.7 ppg and 10.3 rpg for Lamar in four seasons in late 1960s) and LDE Vern Den Herder (all-time leading scorer and rebounder for Central College IA when career concluded in 1970-71).

  • Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (Clemson hooper for seven games in 2010-11 under coach Brad Brownell) caught six passes for 65 yards in a 34-16 setback against the New England Patriots in AFC divisional-round game following 2016 season.

  • 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 118 yards and three touchdowns in 48-32 playoff victory against the Dallas Cowboys following 2023 season.

  • Oakland Raiders RB Terry Kirby (averaged 2.8 ppg for Virginia's NCAA tourney teams in 1989-90 and 1990-91 under coaches Terry Holland and Jeff Jones) had team-long 31-yard pass reception in a 16-3 setback against the Baltimore Ravens in AFC Championship following 2000 season.

  • Green Bay Packers LB Dave Robinson (made two free throws and grabbed five rebounds in two basketball games for Penn State in 1960-61) returned a fumble 16 yards in 33-14 win against the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl II following 1967 season. Teammate Dick Capp (averaged 5.8 ppg and 2.8 rpg with Boston College in 1963-64 under coach Bob Cousy), a tight end activated for this game, recovered punt return fumble leading to field goal just before time expired in first half.

  • Washington Redskins TE Robert Royal (Louisiana State hooper in 2000-01) caught three passes from Mark Brunell in 20-10 setback against the Seattle Seahawks in NFC divisional-round game following 2005 season.

  • New York Giants RCB Jason Sehorn (averaged 12.5 ppg and 6 rpg for Shasta Community College CA in 1990-91) contributed two solo tackles and one interception in 41-0 win against the Minnesota Vikings in NFC Championship following 2000 season.

  • Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) had team highs of six pass receptions and 96 receiving yards in a 27-13 win against the New England Patriots in AFC divisional-round playoff game following 2005 season.