Today it was announced that Seattle Seahawks QB Russell WIlson was taken in the Rule 5 draft by the Texas Rangers of major league baseball. Unless more info becomes available, it is unlikely that Wilson will attempt to become a two sport athlete. But it is possible that the Rangers or Wilson's prior MLB organization, the Colorado Rockies, know something more than what the public does. Wilson played A ball for the Rockies organization in 2010 and 2011 as a second baseman. Wilson obviously stopped playing baseball to become the starting QB for the Seahawks.
Whether Wilson decides to become a two sport player may remain to be seen. However, it would be widely criticized since he is now a star NFL QB. Few players have been able to stand out in both sports. Deion Sanders was probably the most successful in both sports as he was a good baseball player and a Hall of Fame DB. Bo Jackson had the most talent, before he had that horrific injury that ruined both his NFL and MLB careers. Ace Parker, who recently passed away, played two seasons with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1939 and 1938 and went on to get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The only other notable to play in both MLB and NFL are former Braves and Cardinals OF and Atlanta Falcons DB Brian Jordan. However, three former MLB players: former MLB RHP Ron Reed, former Pirates SS Dick Groat and former MLB LHP Mark Hendrickson, all played in the NBA. Groat played for the Fort Wayne Pistons in 1952. Reed played for the Detroit Pistons in the 1980s and Hendrickson played 4 seasons in the NBA from 1996-2000. Of course, Danny Ainge, who had a long career in the NBA and is now an NBA executive, played for the Toronto Blue Jays from 1979-1981.
John Elway played minor league baseball in the Yankees and Royals system before before becoming one of the top QBs of his generation. Former knuckleball pitcher Tom Candiotti was a standout pro bowler and was inducted into the International Bowling Hall of Fame. Standout MLB pitcher Ralph Terry joined the Senior PGA Tour and finished 59th on the money kist in 1989.
Current Florida State QB Jameis Winston was drafted by the Texas Rangers. Maybe the Rangers think they can turn QB into a two sport athlete. As of now, the Rangers have both players in their organization. However, it seems likely either will ever play both sports simultaneously. Other NFL players to be drafted by MLB teams are Colin Kaepernick (Chicago Cubs), Eric Decker (Minnesota Twins), Daunte Culpepper (New York Yankees), Tom Brady (Montreal Expos), Troy Aikman (New York Mets) and Michael Vick. Dave Winfield, who of course is a Baseball Hall of Famer, was actually drafted in both the NBA and NFL. The NBA's Atlanta Hawks and ABA's Utah Stars both selected him as well as the NFL's Minnesota Vikings.
Tony Gwynn was drafted by the San Diego Clippers of the NBA. Tom Glavine was drafted by the NHL's Los Angeles Kings. And it was 1988 NL MVP Kirk Gibson who was drafted as a WR by the St Louis Cardinals.
Whether Wilson decides to become a two sport player may remain to be seen. However, it would be widely criticized since he is now a star NFL QB. Few players have been able to stand out in both sports. Deion Sanders was probably the most successful in both sports as he was a good baseball player and a Hall of Fame DB. Bo Jackson had the most talent, before he had that horrific injury that ruined both his NFL and MLB careers. Ace Parker, who recently passed away, played two seasons with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1939 and 1938 and went on to get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The only other notable to play in both MLB and NFL are former Braves and Cardinals OF and Atlanta Falcons DB Brian Jordan. However, three former MLB players: former MLB RHP Ron Reed, former Pirates SS Dick Groat and former MLB LHP Mark Hendrickson, all played in the NBA. Groat played for the Fort Wayne Pistons in 1952. Reed played for the Detroit Pistons in the 1980s and Hendrickson played 4 seasons in the NBA from 1996-2000. Of course, Danny Ainge, who had a long career in the NBA and is now an NBA executive, played for the Toronto Blue Jays from 1979-1981.
John Elway played minor league baseball in the Yankees and Royals system before before becoming one of the top QBs of his generation. Former knuckleball pitcher Tom Candiotti was a standout pro bowler and was inducted into the International Bowling Hall of Fame. Standout MLB pitcher Ralph Terry joined the Senior PGA Tour and finished 59th on the money kist in 1989.
Current Florida State QB Jameis Winston was drafted by the Texas Rangers. Maybe the Rangers think they can turn QB into a two sport athlete. As of now, the Rangers have both players in their organization. However, it seems likely either will ever play both sports simultaneously. Other NFL players to be drafted by MLB teams are Colin Kaepernick (Chicago Cubs), Eric Decker (Minnesota Twins), Daunte Culpepper (New York Yankees), Tom Brady (Montreal Expos), Troy Aikman (New York Mets) and Michael Vick. Dave Winfield, who of course is a Baseball Hall of Famer, was actually drafted in both the NBA and NFL. The NBA's Atlanta Hawks and ABA's Utah Stars both selected him as well as the NFL's Minnesota Vikings.
Tony Gwynn was drafted by the San Diego Clippers of the NBA. Tom Glavine was drafted by the NHL's Los Angeles Kings. And it was 1988 NL MVP Kirk Gibson who was drafted as a WR by the St Louis Cardinals.
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