Multiple Sport Standouts: PFRPA Members Who Excelled in Sports Other Than Football

In addition to making their mark on football, some retired NFL players also honed their athleticism in other sports, showcasing their remarkable versatility and talent across different disciplines. This month, we highlight the sporting achievements of PFRPA members who excelled in sports other than football.

 

From baseball fields to Olympic stadiums, these athletes displayed exceptional skills, giving us a glimpse into their athletic prowess off the gridiron.

Retired NFL Player Randy Dean was a quarterback for the New York Giants, who played for three seasons between 1977 and 1979.

 

Dean was also a gifted handball player, representing the United States at the 1976 Summer Olympics. He was known for his powerful and precise play on the court and played alongside his twin brother, Robert Dean, on the USA Olympic Handball Team.

 

Retired NFL Player Drew Henson was a quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions between 2004 and 2008.

 

Prior to his professional football career, Henson was drafted by the New York Yankees in the third round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft.

 

Henson spent several years in the Yankees organization before deciding to pursue football full-time.

Retired NFL Player James Jett was a wide receiver for the Las Vegas Raiders for 10 seasons between 1993 and 2002.    

 

Prior to his football career, Jett was a sprinter with notable achievements in track and field. During college, he was a seven-time All-American in track. Jett finished fifth at 100 meters in the U.S. Olympic Trials in New Orleans, earning him a spot on the 4 x 100 meters relay Olympic team.

 

He showcased his speed and explosiveness on the track at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona and was a member of the U.S. 4 x 100 meters relay team that claimed the gold medal with a time of 38.95 seconds.

Retired NFL Player and Hall of Famer Terrell Owens was a wide receiver for 15 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers (1996–2003), Philadelphia Eagles (2004–2005), Dallas Cowboys (2006–2008), Buffalo Bills (2009) and Cincinnati Bengals (2010).

Before becoming one of the NFL's most dominant wide receivers, Owens played college basketball at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, including in the 1995 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.

His athleticism and competitive nature translated well to the football field, where he became one of the league’s most iconic players.

Retired NFL Player and Hall of Famer Deion Sanders was a cornerback and wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons (1989–1993), San Francisco 49ers (1994), Dallas Cowboys (1995–1999), Washington Commanders (2000) and Baltimore Ravens (2004–2005).

Remarkably, Sanders was a true multi-sport athlete and played in the MLB concurrent to his football career. He played left and center field with the New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants.

 

Sanders was a dynamic outfielder and made extraordinary catches, and he was also known for his ability to steal bases.

 

Retired NFL Player Chris Weinke was a quarterback for the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers across five seasons.

 

Before playing in the NFL, Weinke spent six years in the Toronto Blue Jays minor league system. He then went to Florida State University, where he won the Heisman Trophy at 28 years old as a quarterback for the Seminoles.

The success of these retired NFL players across multiple disciplines not only highlights their versatility, but also serves as an inspiring reminder that greatness can be achieved in many forms.