Austin Rivers believes that around 30 NBA players could make it in the NFL, but no NFL player would survive in the NBA.
The New Orleans Hornets’ 2012 first-round draft pick, who has been out of contract since the end of last season, made the statement to Pat McAfee’s podcast.
The former NFL kicker reaches millions of listeners with his podcast.
This assertion vigorously defended by his guest raised more than one eyebrow, including JJ Watt.
Austin Rivers is a little extreme in his comments, but he is right that a good basketball player can excel on the football field at the professional level.
Antonio Gates is the best example.
In 16 seasons with the San Diego Chargers, he had 11,841 air yards and 116 touchdown catches as a tight end.
However, it was on a basketball court that he stood out at university, going so far as to help his team reach the round of 16 at March Madness 2002.
How many athletes have made it to the NBA after spending their studies playing football?
Not a single one, in my opinion.
Aside from Gates, other athletes learned their skills on a basketball court at the college level, before ending up in the NFL. Julius Peppers, Jimmy Graham, Anthony Gonzalez, Terrell Owens and Donovan McNabb, to name a few. Austin Rivers’ comments may not be so crazy after all. Furthermore, it is not uncommon to see a young person be very good in more than one discipline.
Tom Brady opted for football over baseball. Others managed to shine in both, including Deion Sanders and Bo Jackson. Speaking of which, Chris Roycroft made his MLB debut this week. The undrafted St. Louis Cardinals pitcher played baseball and basketball in the NCAA Division III.
A great accomplishment.
(Source : @PatMcAfeeShow/X)
2024-05-09 16:05:38
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