We often times wonder what it would be like if certain
athletes played a different sport. Obviously there would be questions; could
they succeed in another sport just because they’re so athletic? Could they
learn the game if they didn’t play it when they were younger? There have been
athletes in the past that have made that transition; Bo Jackson and Deion
Sanders most notably made the switch from football to baseball. Jackson was the
first “freak athlete” because you had never seen someone like him and unfortunately,
we may never see it again with the way sports and mon ey goes together. There
was also Michael Jordan, but we can all agree he should’ve just stuck with
basketball. Here are some notable sports figures today that we would love to
see try another sport.
Cleveland
Cavaliers Forward, LeBron James (6’8” 255lbs): LeBron was not only all
state in basketball but also all state in football. With his combination of
size, strength, and speed it’s assumed and been predicted he would be able to
do well in the football landscape. Line him up at tight end or wide receiver
and you have nightmare matchup problems. With a vertical leap north of 40
inches, LeBron would be the go-to target in the red zone, and by red zone I
mean the entire length of the field. One test that everyone would love to see
James attempt is the 40-yard dash. He gets up and down the court quicker than
most guards with his freakish ability. What if he played defense? Line him up
at defensive end and watch how quickly he’d get to the quarterback. Yikes.
- · Compares to: Detroit Lions Receiver, Calvin Johnson (6’5” 235lbs)
Oklahoma City
Thunder Guard, Russell Westbrook (6’3” 200lbs): Another basketball
player who many feel would translate well to the gridiron. There are very few
safeties built like Westbrook, which is probably a good thing. Westbrook plays
with a lot of aggression and energy, which would suit him well playing free safety. He plays at 100mph at all times and is
one of the fastest players in the league with the ball. If you’re a receiver
coming across the middle, a tight end going down the seam, or a running back
out of the backfield, you better hold onto the ball because there is a good
chance Westbrook will try and go right through you.
- · Compares to: Former Washington Redskin Safety, Sean Taylor (6’2” 215lbs)
Seattle Seahawks
Quarterback, Russell Wilson (5’11” 206lbs): Now this one is kind of
different. Much like Jackson and Sanders, Wilson actually did play baseball. In
2010, Wilson was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 4th round of
the MLB Draft. In December of 2013, the Texas Rangers acquired Wilson from the
Rockies in the Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 Draft. He attended spring training
with the Rangers in 2014. It would be something to see if Wilson took a couple
years off and focused on baseball. Would be a starter? Or would he come out of
the bullpen? My hope is that he throws a few innings and takes a couple swings
during spring training and we get to see how good he still might be.
Olympic Gold
Medalist And World’s Fastest Man, Usain Bolt (6’5” 190lbs):
Bolt might be too fast for another sport. Football might be
his best bet if he chose one. He would need to add a little more weight to his
frame to be an NFL wide receiver but he might not have to worry about getting
hit if he can just run by everyone. I have no doubt that he could run by a
cornerback or safety, the only question I’d have is if he would outrun the
pass. It would be fun to watch though, just like this was.
- · Compares to: Cincinnati Bengals Receiver, AJ Green (6’4” 207lbs) Take this one with a grain of salt.
NBA Guard, Nate
Robinson (5’9” 180): Nate Robinson is a unique athlete. He’s only 5’9”
and 180 pounds but don’t let that fool you, for his size he is one of the more
athletic guards in the NBA. Hell, he even beat out Golden State Warriors
forward Andre Iguodola in the 2006 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. Robinson attended
Washington University where he spent his freshman season playing cornerback for
the Huskies (he accounted for 2 interceptions and 34 tackles). That sort of
gives it away that he could actually play
football, but whether or not he could handle the NFL is a different story. You
would like to think that someone with his athletic ability and toughness could
get it done.
- · Compares to: Cincinnati Bengals Cornerback, Darqueze Dennard (5’11” 199lbs)
Others Possibilities:
Los Angeles Clippers Forward, Glen Davis (6’9” 289lbs):
Defensive tackle,
San Antonio Spurs Forward, Kawhi Leonard (6’7” 230lbs): Wide
receiver/tight end
Chicago Bulls Guard, Derrick Rose (6’3” 190lbs): Running
back
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