While America is put on hold due to the COVID-19 outbreak, it’s important to take note of just who is impacted.
However, it’s also a time to sit back and truly appreciate some of the greatness we all get to watch on a nightly basis, no matter what sport you enjoy the most.
For some of these athletes, they were gifted in multiple sports growing up. While it isn’t as prevalent anymore, with sports and training evolving into a year-round adventure, there are still plenty of examples of multi-sport athletes throughout history.
Let’s take a look.
Tony Gonzalez – Football and Basketball
While Gonzalez is most known for football, where he had four 1,000-yard seasons as a tight end, he could hold his own on the basketball court. Gonzalez played basketball at the University of California, where the 6-foot-5 forward had a decent amount of success.
In his best year, 1994-95, he averaged 7.1 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game, while shooting 61 percent from the field.
However, football was always Gonzalez’ No. 1 sport, and it showed big time. The tight end was a workhorse, leading the league with 102 receptions in 2004, and posting multiple seasons with 10 or more touchdowns, most notably 11 in 1999.
Gonzalez produced up until his final season at age 37, where he still managed 859 yards and eight touchdowns.
Stephen Curry – Basketball and Golf
While most have heard the name “Stephen Curry,” not everyone knows about his prowess as a golfer.
While he is nowhere near the PGA tour, Curry still has a +0.1 handicap (0.1 strokes below par) as of October 2019 and has entertained the idea of a professional playing career once his basketball days are behind him.
While his golf game isn’t at a professional level so far, it seems likely that it would improve once he retires, and who knows what happens then?
For now, though, Curry is an elite basketball player and one of the best shooters in the game. The six-time all-star has put up career averages of 23.5 points-per-game with a 43.5 percent three-point percentage, and a 90.6 percent free throw percentage. Curry may be a great golfer, and he, later on, could have a decent professional golf career, but he is one of basketball’s elite players right now.
Deion Sanders – Football and Baseball
While Sanders is most known for his Hall-of-Fame football career, he also has a well-documented career in baseball.
The former outfielder for the Yankees, Braves, Giants, and Reds did have to skip some baseball seasons due to his football career, but he still managed to put up some solid numbers in the MLB.
His best season was 1992 when he managed a .304 average, a .346 on-base percentage, and a slugging percentage of .495.
While these aren’t exactly Hall-of-Fame numbers, he more than made up for this with his Hall-of-fame Football career. The defensive back posted career numbers of 54 interceptions, seven pro bowls, and six NFL first teams.
Unfortunately, we may not see many more players like the three listed above. Sports have become an all-year thing, and it is very rare to see a player put in the work to be competitive enough at two or more sports.
But who knows? There may be someone out there who can be the next Deion Sanders.
