On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling January 16 NFL Postseason

January 16th, 2024 - 10:05

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 16 in football at the professional level (especially the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl VI):

JANUARY 16

  • Seattle Seahawks TE John Carlson (played in three Notre Dame basketball games in 2003-04 under coach Mike Brey) caught one pass for 14 yards in a 35-24 setback against the Chicago Bears in NFC divisional-round game following 2010 season.

  • PK Billy Cundiff (played in nine basketball contests with Drake in 1999-00 and 2000-01) accounted for the Baltimore Ravens' only points with a first-quarter field goal in 20-3 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in AFC divisional-round game following 2009 season. Ravens TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) caught four passes for 35 yards.

  • Dallas Cowboys TE Mike Ditka (averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Pittsburgh in 1958-59 and 1959-60) rushed once for 17 yards and caught a seven-yard touchdown pass from Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) to cap off their scoring in 24-3 win against the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI following 1971 season. Staubach threw two TD passes in duel against Bob Griese (hooper with Purdue in 1964-65). Cowboys P Ron Widby (three-time All-SEC selection averaged 18.1 ppg and 8.4 rpg for Tennessee from 1964-65 through 1966-67) punted five times for a 37.2-yard average and SS Cornell Green (senior All-American in 1961-62 when finishing career as Utah State's all-time leading scorer and rebounder) contributed three solo tackles. Helping protect Staubach was starting RT Rayfield Wright (All-SIAC hooper for Fort Valley State GA in mid-1960s).

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 27-14 NFC divisional-round playoff win against the Minnesota Vikings following 2004 season.

  • New York Jets DL Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) contributed three solo tackles in a 28-21 win against the New England Patriots in AFC divisional-round game following 2010 season.

  • San Francisco 49ers E Billy Wilson (averaged 3.3 ppg as senior letterman for San Jose State in 1950-51) named NFL Pro Bowl MVP following the 1954 season.