On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling January 22 NFL Postseason

January 22nd, 2024 - 9:46

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 22 in football at the professional level (especially Green Bay Packers defense in NFC championship contest following 2016 season):

JANUARY 22

  • Baltimore Ravens PK Billy Cundiff (played in nine basketball contests with Drake in 1999-00 and 2000-01) converted two field goals but missed a 32-yard attempt with 15 seconds remaining that could have knotted the score in 23-20 setback against the New England Patriots in AFC championship game following 2011 season.

  • San Francisco 49ers FS Ronnie Lott (Southern California hooper in 1979-80) contributed four solo tackles in a 20-16 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII following 1988 season.

  • Oakland Raiders RB Greg Pruitt (freshman squad hooper for Oklahoma in 1969-70) rushed five times for 17 yards, returned one kickoff for 17 yards and returned one punt return for eight yards in a 38-9 victory against the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVIII following the 1983 season. George Starke (averaged 2.9 ppg and 3.7 rpg for Columbia in 1968-69 and 1969-70) was starting RT for the Redskins.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antwaan Randle El (member of Indiana's 1999 NCAA Tournament team coached by Bob Knight) caught four passes for 52 yards in a 34-17 win against the Denver Broncos in AFC Championship following 2005 season.

  • Green Bay Packers CB Quinten Rollins (led Miami OH in steals all four seasons from 2010-11 through 2013-14 including Mid-American Conference as senior) had four tackles in a 44-21 setback against the Atlanta Falcons in NFC championship game following 2016 season. Packers LB 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) chipped in with two tackles.

  • Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught four passes for 61 yards in a 34-17 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in AFC Championship following 2005 season.