Tag: Brian Jordan

Bo Jackson leads list of athletes to play both football and baseball in recent memory

This list seems to be inspired by Bo Jackson.

Over the years we have seen plenty college athletes play multiple sports. More specifically we have seen those athletes play football and baseball. One of the best multi-sport athletes was the iconic Jackie Robinson.

As a member of the UCLA Bruins, Robinson lettered in four sports and baseball would actually be his worst. He would bat just .097 with UCLA. Robinson stuck with it and it worked out in his favor as he would break the color barrier in the sport and changed the course of history.

When it comes to Auburn, they know a thing or two about two-sport stars. Or should I say, Bo knows. When Bo Jackson wasn’t terrorizing defenses, you could find him on the baseball field. He would play both sports at Auburn and then as a professional.

Recently Ole Miss defensive tackle Tywone Malone showed his stuff on the diamond for the Rebels. He hit the game-winning home run against VCU. Apparently hitting quarterbacks and running backs isn’t the only thing that he can hit for the Rebels.

We break down the list of players who starred in both football and baseball. It seems Bo Jackson inspired a lot of players in recent history.

10 of the most notable NFL players who also played in the MLB

Since the 1920s, close to 70 athletes have played for both leagues. And, for various reasons, these are 10 of the most notable.

The MLB’s Opening Day ceremonies would have kicked off today, had the sports world not been suspended indefinitely without play due to the coronavirus pandemic. One of the greatest moments in sports, the first day of baseball always produces a wave of nostalgia for the players and fans, an ageless stretch from the young to the old.

The trashcan jokes alone would have made this year’s festivities memorable, but alas, there will be no crack of the bat, no soothing PA announcements, no flyovers, and no snark at the Astros’ expense. All that is left—other than the enjoyable reruns of yesteryear—is list of NFL players who also played in the MLB.

Some history: Both leagues have interwoven throughout the decades, beginning in the 1920s when several MLB players joined teams in the newly formed NFL. (Before the ’20s, star baseball players, like Christy Mathewson, played both but the NFL was not yet official.)

Since then, close to 70 athletes have played for the MLB and NFL. And, for a few interesting reasons, these are 10 of the most notable.

Let’s play ball!

Jim Thorpe

(Photo by National Baseball Hall of Fame Library/MLB via Getty Images)

Thorpe was the original do-it-all athlete, which included gold medals and even pro basketball. He played major league baseball for the New York Giants, Cincinnati Reds, and Boston Braves. During those years, Thorpe also played football. He began his career with the Canton Bulldogs, which was part of the inaugural 1920 NFL season, and then played for (and coached) a handful of teams after that. Surrounded by the fame of his heroics at the Olympics, Thorpe was a major draw for both sports, though football would turn out to be his more decorated. No other two-sport star has played for more NFL teams (six) than Thorpe.

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