A modern day Harold Carmichael.He's like Randy Moss out there
A modern day Harold Carmichael.He's like Randy Moss out there
Deion Sanders and Brian Jordan played baseball and football and didn’t get hurt. Bo Jackson’s tragic hip injury was a freak injury, improperly treated. Bo has said if he knew the dangers of football he wouldn’t have played it, but he was referring mostly to CTE.This brings me to my theory that others, Lebron (football) Elway (baseball) could have done what Bo Jackson did, but he proved why they didn't because he got hurt.
The reason Pat Connaughton chose basketball was that he figured if he washed out of the NBA in a few years, he would still have time to go play baseball and end up with a major league career, even if he didn't make the majors until his late 20s. The opposite scenario doesn't exist, you can't wash out of baseball and realistically hope to make the NBA in your late-20s.Deion Sanders and Brian Jordan played baseball and football and didn’t get hurt. Bo Jackson’s tragic hip injury was a freak injury, improperly treated. Bo has said if he knew the dangers of football he wouldn’t have played it, but he was referring mostly to CTE.
With the kind of money an average MLB or NBA player makes today, it would be foolish to play in the NFL, unless being paid a lot of guaranteed money as a high pick or a star.
Although the seasons don’t line up optimally, someone could play basketball and baseball. If Pat Connaughton could juice his 96 mph fastball five more mph, maybe he could help a MLB team as a reliever. He theoretically could age out of the NBA and become a middle reliever in seven or eight years.
Ha! I think there was sarcasm in your post but this guy fits the bill.Or there could be an infielder and a shooting guard. Not sure if that has ever happened before, though.
Brian Jordan broke his leg and ankle in a Bowl game at the same time he was playing minor league baseball and quit football before ever making it to the Big Leagues. Bo dislocated his hip playing football......I don’t recall anything about the mistreatment of his injury.Deion Sanders and Brian Jordan played baseball and football and didn’t get hurt. Bo Jackson’s tragic hip injury was a freak injury, improperly treated. Bo has said if he knew the dangers of football he wouldn’t have played it, but he was referring mostly to CTE.
With the kind of money an average MLB or NBA player makes today, it would be foolish to play in the NFL, unless being paid a lot of guaranteed money as a high pick or a star.
Although the seasons don’t line up optimally, someone could play basketball and baseball. If Pat Connaughton could juice his 96 mph fastball five more mph, maybe he could help a MLB team as a reliever. He theoretically could age out of the NBA and become a middle reliever in seven or eight years.
Brian Jordan played DB for the Falcons for three seasons, 1989-1991. I believe he was playing AAA baseball while playing in the NFLBrian Jordan broke his leg and ankle in a Bowl game at the same time he was playing minor league baseball and quit football before ever making it to the Big Leagues. Bo dislocated his hip playing football......I don’t recall anything about the mistreatment of his injury.
I remember hearing Connaughton in an interview once saying his goal is to play in the NBA until he’s 30 then pitch in the bigs after that. Then reporter asked if he still could throw to which Pat responded something like, “You wanna get in the box and find out?” with a smirk.
Yah, I was going to post a baseball card just to clear up any confusionHa! I think there was sarcasm in your post but this guy fits the bill.
https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/aingeda01.htmlhttps://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/aingeda01.shtml
He was but he was injured playing football while he was in the low minors as well.Brian Jordan played DB for the Falcons for three seasons, 1989-1991. I believe he was playing AAA baseball while playing in the NFL
Donovan McNabb played on the Syracuse basketball team but he wasn’t a prospect in that sport.Charlie Ward?
Speaking of Syracuse can I get a shout out for Greg Paulus, their grad transfer QB who played under K at Duke?Donovan McNabb played on the Syracuse basketball team but he wasn’t a prospect in that sport.
Nice call. Tony Gonzalez was another who played hoops at Cal before the NFL.There are a lot of guys who played high level college bball before going into another sport; McNabb, Julius Peppers (North Carolina), Antonio Gates, Jimmy Graham, Connaughton.
I like most people first heard about Jeff Samardzija when he was an All-American WR at Notre Dame.
My only story that kind of fits in here is that many many moons ago when I was in grad school, we had enough players to enter the intermural softball league. We killed people. Our shortstop played Division I at some school in the SE and threw the ball harder than I had ever seen anyone throw the ball. So hard, in fact, that when I played 1B, I was scared to catch the ball - even though he basically put the ball in my mitt everytime.Ha! I think there was sarcasm in your post but this guy fits the bill.
https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/aingeda01.htmlhttps://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/aingeda01.shtml
Chris Hogan played lacrosse for four years at Penn State, one year of football at Monmouth, and about 10 years in the NFL. If you have an NFL package of size and skills, switching from another sport isn’t rare anymore. Penn State has another one graduating this year, a 6-9, 245-pound basketball center named John Harrar, who is worth a look. Played tight end in high school, two-star recruit who signed on at West Point before changing his mind and taking a hoop offer from the Nits. Harrar worked himself into a decent player over four years, and is among Big Ten rebounding leaders. Seems open to football again, may sign as an undrafted free agent. I bet there are 10 potential NFL tight ends playing college hoops every year. Most don’t want to deal with the work, and the pain.This brings me to my theory that others, Lebron (football) Elway (baseball) could have done what Bo Jackson did, but he proved why they didn't because he got hurt.
I read recently that Hogan is trying to play pro lacrosseChris Hogan played lacrosse for four years at Penn State, one year of football at Monmouth, and about 10 years in the NFL. If you have an NFL package of size and skills, switching from another sport isn’t rare anymore. Penn State has another one graduating this year, a 6-9, 245-pound basketball center named John Harrar, who is worth a look. Played tight end in high school, two-star recruit who signed on at West Point before changing his mind and taking a hoop offer from the Nits. Harrar worked himself into a decent player over four years, and is among Big Ten rebounding leaders. Seems open to football again, may sign as an undrafted free agent. I bet there are 10 potential NFL tight ends playing college hoops every year. Most don’t want to deal with the work, and the pain.
Dick Groat: college basketball player of the year at Duke, MVP SS with the Pirates.Or there could be an infielder and a shooting guard. Not sure if that has ever happened before, though.
That guy could work miracles with the ball in his hand . I think he was playing for Eastern Lazarus, and it looked like the team was dead, and he brought them back.This tangent makes baby Jesus weep
And when on the football field the coach would insert him at QB where he specialized in the Hail Mary.That guy could work miracles with the ball in his hand . I think he was playing for Eastern Lazarus, and it looked like the team was dead, and he brought them back.
He also specialized in playing on wet fields. When everyone else was sliding, he looked like he was running on water.And when on the football field the coach would insert him at QB where he specialized in the Hail Mary.
He crushed curveballs, he just refused to share the secret of his success with others.He's another guy who was a well-known multisport athlete. But he gave up on baseball because he couldn't hit a curveball.
So, Most died before I was born and it's totally probable that he used the McFilthy and McNasty line on more than one occasion...but I think this might be a commonly misremembered anecdote. McFilthy and McNasty were Jeff Ruland and Rich Mahorn, respectively, when they were both on the Washington Bullets. Tbh, it makes your story funnier.Bill Laimbeer:
I went to a couple Final Fours from my early 20’s to early 30’s and this one was either in Tampa or New Orleans, I don’t recall which. While we are out and about getting shit faced going from bar to bar I came across Laimbeer sitting by himself at that moment on a chair in the lounge area just in front of the bar area.
My BAC dragged my body over to Laimbeer as I politely introduced myself as a long-time Celtics fan who grew up listening to Johnny Most. Bill didn’t seem impressed and stared me down awaiting my next foolish statement.......I did not disappoint. After a hesitation following my introduction this quote escaped my vocal cords in a heavily intoxicated stuttering fashion, “So which one were you? McFilthy or McNasty? I always forget which was you and which was Mahorn?” Once he realized I wasn’t leaving until I got an answer he dismissed me with a “Yeah I was McNasty ok!” I thanked him and wish him a good evening.
So glad I don’t drink anymore.
They were called the Bruise Brothers, if memory serves.So, Most died before I was born and it's totally probable that he used the McFilthy and McNasty line on more than one occasion...but I think this might be a commonly misremembered anecdote. McFilthy and McNasty were Jeff Ruland and Rich Mahorn, respectively, when they were both on the Washington Bullets. Tbh, it makes your story funnier.
Haha yes I was a kid listening in my grandfathers car and he referenced those names many times. Poor Bill.....I may have to apologize to him the next time I see him at a WNBA game.So, Most died before I was born and it's totally probable that he used the McFilthy and McNasty line on more than one occasion...but I think this might be a commonly misremembered anecdote. McFilthy and McNasty were Jeff Ruland and Rich Mahorn, respectively, when they were both on the Washington Bullets. Tbh, it makes your story funnier.
Wasn't Olynyk a point guard for most of his high school career, and he was one of those guys who grew a ton late in high school that turned him into a big? Wikipedia says that he grew from 6'3" to 6'10" during his junior year. So that would mean Olynyk was 6'2" as a 10 year old, and then didn't grow at all for 5-6 years, and then grew eight inches.Since Kelly Olynyk came up in the Mo/Moe discussion. Here is the one time I saw KO. I was coaching Canadian college and was in Kamloops at Chandian JUCO playoffs looking at kids. At halftime this skinny 6'2 kid would run out an drill 15 footers, 10, 12 in qa row each time. Somebody told me it was Ken Olynyk's (a Canadian college coach) kid. He seemed really good friends with the Thompson Rivers players, and I was told he was working out with them. Later I was talking to the Thompson River's coach about his lack of shooting. I remarked that he would have that Olynyk kid in a couple years, and was informed he was only 10 years old.
And that folks is why you always ask to see an ID... lmaoSince Kelly Olynyk came up in the Mo/Moe discussion. Here is the one time I saw KO. I was coaching Canadian college and was in Kamloops at Chandian JUCO playoffs looking at kids. At halftime this skinny 6'2 kid would run out an drill 15 footers, 10, 12 in qa row each time. Somebody told me it was Ken Olynyk's (a Canadian college coach) kid. He seemed really good friends with the Thompson Rivers players, and I was told he was working out with them. Later I was talking to the Thompson River's coach about his lack of shooting. I remarked that he would have that Olynyk kid in a couple years, and was informed he was only 10 years old.
I grew up in Arlington but had a friend from Winchester so played some with him in the 70s. I just remember a blur of ball handling, incredibly quick release on shots, and laser like outlet passes. Its amazing for me to think that he was "just" an NBA journey man, and to contemplate the level of NBA regulars and all stars.I used to play lunchtime pickup hoop at Babson College, w/some grad students and faculty/administration members.
One of the grad students was Bob Bigelow. First round pick of the Kings, played 2 or 3 years; passed away recently.
There were some good players (not me) in those games. But when he played the game went up 2 or 3 levels. If you were on his team you did not take a play off and the pace of play ramped up considerably. He was an authority the last 30 years on the rights and wrongs of youth sports; with adults he suffered no fools.
What always got me was that he was 6-6 or 6-7, could do what he wanted underneath against just about everyone who played.... but in the NBA he was a backcourt man.I grew up in Arlington but had a friend from Winchester so played some with him in the 70s. I just remember a blur of ball handling, incredibly quick release on shots, and laser like outlet passes. Its amazing for me to think that he was "just" an NBA journey man, and to contemplate the level of NBA regulars and all stars.
Being a small forward in the 70s you would have to be tough. The game then was all about getting to the rim and the 3 men at that time were always either super athletic or tough as nails or both. That was a time when the regional differences in hoops was more pronounced. The east coast game was known for being physical "no autopsy no foul" in those days. I can only imagine how tough he would have been to come go that far, coming from that college league.I used to play lunchtime pickup hoop at Babson College, w/some grad students and faculty/administration members.
One of the grad students was Bob Bigelow. First round pick of the Kings, played 2 or 3 years; passed away recently.
There were some good players (not me) in those games. But when he played the game went up 2 or 3 levels. If you were on his team you did not take a play off and the pace of play ramped up considerably. He was an authority the last 30 years on the rights and wrongs of youth sports; with adults he suffered no fools.
Sorry for the late reply, just catching up on this fantastic thread. Thanks for all the stories. But about Stapleton, I was in eighth grade his senior year at LHS. During the state tournament he hit a teardrop to beat Don Bosco in the closing seconds. Mike Lynch, the channel 5 sportscaster, was reffing the game and called it the greatest HS game he had ever seen. I ended up playing some pickup with Stape when he was a counselor at KC Jones' camp while at Richmond. He did a credible job defending the Admiral in the NCAAs that spring. That Lowell High team was loaded, four or five D1 players. Chung Rivera was the best of all of them, he got run as a freshman at Houston right after the Phi Slamma teams but washed out.I can't believe no one put an end to his football playing, even as young as a freshman. I'm sure he was already known given how young these guys get discovered.
Speaking of football/basketball crossovers, back in the 80's I went to a NH prep school with a kid from Lowell (Scott Stapleton). He ended up going D1 to Richmond but in high school he also played on the football team as a wide receiver. He AVERAGED slightly below 50 yards per catch. Granted New England prep football isn't in the same category as basketball but he was 6'4", could jump and was pretty fast so the QB could just hurl it up there and let him go get it. He wanted to be a two sport in college but the Spiders weren't as cooperating.
That's awesome. He was on the team that took out Indiana in '88, making it through the first two rounds as a 13 seed. He was one of a handful of BABC guys via Leo Papile that came through the New Hampton during those mid/late 80's years. A more highly touted player from the BABC, Eugene Miles, came through there for a PG year and lets just say that for a small town NH boy to see some of the big time basketball things that took place to get him graduated and signed at Cleveland State was a bit eye opening.Sorry for the late reply, just catching up on this fantastic thread. Thanks for all the stories. But about Stapleton, I was in eighth grade his senior year at LHS. During the state tournament he hit a teardrop to beat Don Bosco in the closing seconds. Mike Lynch, the channel 5 sportscaster, was reffing the game and called it the greatest HS game he had ever seen. I ended up playing some pickup with Stape when he was a counselor at KC Jones' camp while at Richmond. He did a credible job defending the Admiral in the NCAAs that spring. That Lowell High team was loaded, four or five D1 players. Chung Rivera was the best of all of them, he got run as a freshman at Houston right after the Phi Slamma teams but washed out.
Nice recall. Tragically, Chung was killed in a car accident a couple years ago after completely turning his life around. Stupid Durfee kept taking out the best of those Lowell High teams in the tournament. The Lowell holiday tournament was awesome. Got to see Rumeal, Travis Best, etc. Great hoops then. Thanks again for the trip down memory lane.That's awesome. He was on the team that took out Indiana in '88, making it through the first two rounds as a 13 seed. He was one of a handful of BABC guys via Leo Papile that came through the New Hampton during those mid/late 80's years. A more highly touted player from the BABC, Eugene Miles, came through there for a PG year and lets just say that for a small town NH boy to see some of the big time basketball things that took place to get him graduated and signed at Cleveland State was a bit eye opening.