On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling January 31 NFL Super Bowls

January 31st, 2024 - 9:25

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before spurring 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 31 in Super Bowl competition:

JANUARY 31

  • Buffalo Bills coach Marv Levy (earned hoops letter with Coe IA in 1949-50) lost his third consecutive Super Bowl (52-17 against Dallas Cowboys in XXVII following 1992 season). Bills TEs Keith McKeller (starting center for Jacksonville State's 1985 NCAA Division II championship team led Gulf South Conference in rebounding each of his first three seasons and finished second as senior) and Pete Metzelaars (1982 NCAA Division III Tournament MOP for Wabash IN in 1982) combined for three pass receptions. Bills WR Don Beebe (Aurora College IL junior varsity hooper in 1983-84) caught a touchdown pass in his second straight Super Bowl but is best known for his iconic hustle play chasing down and stripping Leon Lett of the ball just before the showboating Cowboys DE crossed the goal line following running more than 60 yards after fumble recovery.

  • Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught an 80-yard touchdown pass from John Elway midway through second quarter in 34-19 win against the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII following 1998 season. Broncos DL Marvin Washington (averaged 1 ppg and 1.3 rpg for Texas-El Paso in 1984-85 and 1985-86 under coach Don Haskins before transferring to Idaho and averaging 2.9 ppg and 5.7 rpg in 1987-88 under coach Tim Floyd) and Alfred Williams (briefly played hoops for Colorado in 1989-90) combined for three solo tackles. Falcons rookie Ephraim Salaam (scored 22 points in five games for San Diego State in 1996-97) started at RT in their first-ever trip to NFL title tilt.