Michael Jordan famously swapped his glittering NBA career for playing baseball in the ’90s, and now Anthony Edwards is eyeing a similar seismic shift in sports disciplines with soccer in his sights.
Speaking of the latest episode of ESPN Cover storyThe Minnesota Timberwolves guard told Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson that he wants to try and pursue a career in the NFL if he wins an NBA championship in the coming years.
The Timberwolves take on the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA opener on Tuesday night, with Edwards set to meet the father-son duo of LeBron James and Brony James.
LeBron is, in fact, among the NBA players who could have pursued a football career by being recruited by the likes of Notre Dame after playing wide receiver in high school.
“Football players can’t go play basketball. No way. I told my friends, I said if I win a ring in the next three or four years, I’m going to play football,” Edwards said.
“No, you’re not,” replied Vikings star Jefferson, the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
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Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson hits a 25-yard field goal against Detroit
Edwards stated his belief that he could become the first player to play in both the NBA and the NFL during a conversation with comedian Marco Summers on his talk show last year.
The two-time All-Star also previously suggested he could make it to the MLB by playing multiple positions in baseball as a kid.
Bo Jackson is one of the most notable multi-sport athletes in history, having played for the Los Angeles Raiders in the NFL and the Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox, and California Angels in the MLB as the only professional athlete to be named All-American. Star in two major North American sports.
Mickey McCarthy was also selected by Kansas City in the 1968 NFL-AFL draft, as well as by the Chicago Bulls of the NBA and the Cleveland Indians of the MLB.
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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes makes a dazzling run of 33 yards against the San Francisco 49ers in week seven
Jordan was headed to the Chicago White Sox of Minor League Baseball after retiring from the NBA before the 1993 season after winning three straight titles with the Bulls. He went on to play 127 regular season games for the White Sox’s Double-A affiliate the Birmingham Barons and returned to the Bulls in 1995 before winning three more championships in 1996, 1997 and 1998.
No player has ever made the transition from pro basketball in the NBA to the NFL, and it likely won’t happen anytime soon.
Edwards has been recognized as one of basketball’s most dynamic young stars since becoming the first overall pick out of Georgia in 2020. He is averaging 22.9 points, 4.1 assists, 5.2 rebounds per game in 302 appearances over four seasons.
Week eight begins on Thursday night when the Minnesota Vikings visit the Los Angeles Rams from 1.15pm on Friday, live on Sky Sports NFL.; Also stream NOW!.
