In Honor of Opening Day: A Look at Players Drafted in Both MLB and NFL

As the excitement of Opening Day kicks off for Major League Baseball (MLB), it’s a perfect time to take a closer look at a fascinating phenomenon—players who were drafted in both the MLB and NFL drafts. The prospect of dual-sport athletes has always intrigued fans and analysts alike. Every year, a select few athletes are fortunate enough to be recognized by professional leagues in two major sports, with some choosing the gridiron, while others head to the diamond.

This article dives deep into the unique stories of athletes who were drafted by both the MLB and NFL, reflecting on their journeys, the challenges of dual-sport careers, and the impact they had on both leagues. Let’s look at some standout figures from the 2000 draft classes of both leagues.

The 2000 MLB and NFL Drafts: A Contextual Overview

The year 2000 was a memorable one for both MLB and NFL drafts, marked by several generational talents. In MLB, teams were focused on acquiring players who could contribute immediately or in the near future, with stars like Adrian Gonzalez, Joe Mauer, and Mark Teixeira making their way into the system. Meanwhile, the NFL draft also featured some of the league’s all-time greats, with players like Tom Brady, Brian Urlacher, and Jamaal Lewis entering the fold.

But within these two drafts was a very rare and exciting subset: athletes who were selected in both leagues. These players faced the unique decision of whether to pursue a career in football, baseball, or both—understanding that excelling in one sport often meant sacrificing the potential to thrive in the other.

Notable Athletes Drafted in Both MLB and NFL

1. Bo Jackson

Though Jackson wasn’t part of the 2000 drafts specifically, Bo Jackson remains the gold standard for two-sport athletes. His influence on the 2000s and beyond cannot be overstated. Drafted by the New York Yankees in the 1982 MLB Draft and by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL Draft the same year, Jackson’s choice to play both sports defied expectations. He became an icon, showcasing his athletic prowess with the Kansas City Royals in MLB and the Los Angeles Raiders in the NFL.

Jackson’s exceptional ability to perform at the highest level in both football and baseball inspired a generation of athletes, despite his career being curtailed by a devastating hip injury. His legendary status in dual-sport history helped elevate the idea that some athletes could thrive in more than one professional sport, including those in the 2000 drafts.

2. Jamey Carroll

Jamey Carroll is an intriguing case for a player who almost followed the dual-sport path. In the 1998 MLB Draft, Carroll was selected by the Montreal Expos in the 28th round, and he later went on to have a productive, albeit brief, MLB career. However, Carroll was also drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 2000 NFL Draft as a quarterback. He played football at the University of Evansville before ultimately choosing baseball as his professional sport.

In MLB, Carroll had a solid career as a utility infielder with several teams, including the Colorado Rockies and Cleveland Indians. He played for 11 seasons in MLB, demonstrating his versatility and consistent presence, even though he was not a superstar. He chose baseball over football, and while his NFL career never materialized, his ability to be drafted in two professional sports was a testament to his exceptional athleticism.

3. Chris Weinke

One of the most fascinating stories in the intersection of MLB and NFL drafts is that of Chris Weinke. Weinke was selected in the MLB Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1990 and was considered a promising baseball prospect. However, he opted to pursue college football at Florida State University, where he played quarterback and led the team to a national championship in 2000.

After a successful college football career, Weinke entered the NFL Draft and was selected by the Carolina Panthers in 2001. Weinke’s path to the NFL was unconventional, as he was already 28 years old by the time he began his professional football career. While his NFL career was not as illustrious as some other quarterbacks, his journey as a dual-sport athlete demonstrated the mental toughness and focus required to excel in both the gridiron and the diamond.

4. Deion Sanders

Another legendary figure, Deion Sanders, exemplifies the type of player who could have played both MLB and NFL at the highest levels. Drafted by the New York Yankees in 1988 and by the Atlanta Falcons in the 1989 NFL Draft, Sanders famously played both baseball and football professionally. His career as an MLB outfielder included stops with the Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, and San Francisco Giants.

Sanders is perhaps best known for his time in the NFL, where he became a Hall of Fame cornerback, playing for teams like the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, and Baltimore Ravens. His charisma and ability to excel in both sports elevated the expectations for multi-sport athletes, and his two-sport success story remains one of the most iconic in professional sports.

The Decision: Football or Baseball?

What makes the journey of these dual-sport athletes especially compelling is the tough decision they had to make between football and baseball. Despite the allure of playing two sports at the highest level, the demands of professional athletics often required specialization. The physical toll of playing both sports was daunting, and some athletes found themselves choosing one sport over the other, with baseball often winning out due to its longer seasons, larger contracts, and generally less brutal physicality compared to football.

1. The Time Commitment

In both football and baseball, training regimens, travel schedules, and games often overlap. Baseball’s grueling 162-game schedule presents unique challenges to those who may want to split their time with another sport. Football, on the other hand, involves intensive off-season training and weekly games during the season, making it almost impossible to maintain a dual-sport career without significant sacrifices.

2. Risk of Injury

Football is a notoriously physical sport, with players often facing career-threatening injuries. Players in the NFL routinely experience collisions that can end careers abruptly. For athletes who played both football and baseball, the risk of injury in football was particularly concerning for their baseball careers. A single hit or tackle in football could lead to a devastating injury, making some players reconsider their options.

The Legacy of Dual-Sport Athletes in 2000 and Beyond

By the time the 2000s arrived, dual-sport athletes like Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders had already carved out their legacies. These players showed that it was possible to achieve excellence in both sports, though only a rare few could balance the physical and mental demands of being a two-sport athlete. The draft classes in 2000 saw some athletes who, while not achieving Jackson’s or Sanders’ level of fame, demonstrated the potential for success in both sports.

One example from the 2000 NFL Draft is the selection of quarterbacks like Tom Brady, who ultimately chose football over any other path. Similarly, in the MLB Draft, players like Joe Mauer and Mark Teixeira were lauded for their baseball skills and didn’t entertain the thought of competing in the NFL.

As Opening Day in MLB takes center stage, it’s a reminder of the rare and remarkable players who have had the opportunity to showcase their athleticism in both the MLB and NFL. The athletes discussed above are a testament to the fact that some individuals can defy conventional expectations and play two professional sports at the highest level. While the likelihood of such dual-sport careers has dwindled, the stories of players drafted by both MLB and NFL organizations continue to inspire the future generations of athletes, proving that a well-rounded athlete is truly a rarity in the world of professional sports.

Their achievements in both leagues are not just stories of athleticism but of resilience, perseverance, and a fierce desire to compete. As we enjoy another season of baseball, we can reflect on these multi-sport stars who defied the odds and proved that the intersection of two great sports can create legends.