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Antonio Gates, Donovan McNabb and 9 other sports stars who played in March Madness | Sporting News

March Madness Stars Who Excelled in Other Sports: From Donovan McNabb to Tony Gonzalez and Beyond

March Madness, the annual NCAA men's basketball tournament, is a spectacle that captivates sports fans worldwide with its high-stakes drama, buzzer-beaters, and Cinderella stories. But beyond the hardwood heroics, the event has served as a launching pad for athletes who went on to dominate in entirely different arenas. Some of these players, who once dazzled in the tournament, traded their sneakers for cleats, helmets, or other gear, carving out Hall of Fame-caliber careers in professional football, baseball, or even track and field. This phenomenon highlights the versatility of elite athletes and the transferable skills between sports. In this deep dive, we'll explore several standout examples, starting with NFL legends Donovan McNabb and Tony Gonzalez, and expanding to others who bridged the gap between March Madness glory and success in other domains. Their stories underscore how basketball's intensity can prepare athletes for the rigors of professional sports far removed from the court.

Donovan McNabb stands as one of the most prominent figures in this crossover narrative. The former NFL quarterback, best known for leading the Philadelphia Eagles to multiple NFC Championship games and a Super Bowl appearance, first made his mark on the national stage as a basketball player at Syracuse University. McNabb arrived at Syracuse in the mid-1990s, initially recruited for both football and basketball under legendary coaches Jim Boeheim and Paul Pasqualoni. While his football prowess would eventually define his legacy, McNabb's contributions to the Orange basketball team were significant, especially during the 1996 NCAA Tournament. That year, Syracuse advanced to the Sweet 16, with McNabb providing key minutes off the bench as a freshman. His athleticism, court vision, and leadership were evident, traits that would later translate seamlessly to the gridiron.

McNabb's basketball experience at Syracuse wasn't just a footnote; it was a crucible that honed his competitive edge. Standing at 6-foot-2 with a powerful build, he averaged modest numbers—around 2.3 points and 1.7 rebounds per game in his freshman season—but his impact was felt in intangibles like defense and playmaking. Teammates and coaches often praised his football-like toughness on the court, where he wasn't afraid to battle in the paint or chase down loose balls. This dual-sport commitment paid dividends when McNabb focused solely on football after his sophomore year. Drafted second overall by the Eagles in 1999, he became a six-time Pro Bowler, amassing over 37,000 passing yards and 234 touchdowns in a 13-year career. McNabb has often credited his basketball background for improving his footwork, decision-making under pressure, and ability to read defenses—skills that made him a mobile threat in the NFL. In interviews, he's reflected on how the fast-paced nature of March Madness prepared him for the high-pressure moments of playoff football, drawing parallels between tournament upsets and come-from-behind victories on the field.

Another towering figure in this discussion is Tony Gonzalez, the tight end who redefined his position in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons. Gonzalez's journey began at the University of California, Berkeley, where he starred in both basketball and football. A highly touted recruit, Gonzalez chose Cal for its opportunity to play both sports, and he didn't disappoint. On the basketball court, he was a forward with impressive athleticism, helping the Golden Bears reach the NCAA Tournament in 1997. That March Madness run saw Cal upset top-seeded North Carolina in the second round, with Gonzalez contributing significantly through rebounding and interior defense. His stats that season included averages of about 6.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, showcasing his ability to dominate the glass and provide energy off the bench.

Gonzalez's basketball tenure at Cal was marked by his raw power and leaping ability, attributes that made him a mismatch nightmare for opponents. At 6-foot-7, he could post up smaller guards or outrun big men, much like how he later exploited defenses in the NFL. After the 1997 tournament, Gonzalez shifted his focus to football, where he became a first-round draft pick (13th overall) by the Chiefs. Over a 17-year career, he revolutionized the tight end role, earning 14 Pro Bowl selections and setting records for receptions (1,325) and receiving yards (15,127) by a tight end. Gonzalez has frequently spoken about how basketball influenced his football success, particularly in terms of body control, hand-eye coordination, and route-running precision. He likened catching passes over the middle to boxing out for rebounds, emphasizing the mental toughness gained from tournament play. His induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019 solidified his status as one of the greatest at his position, but Gonzalez never forgot his March Madness roots, often returning to Cal for alumni events and crediting the experience for building his resilience.

Beyond McNabb and Gonzalez, several other athletes have followed similar paths, turning NCAA basketball tournament appearances into springboards for excellence in other sports. Take Julius Peppers, the fearsome defensive end who terrorized NFL quarterbacks for 17 seasons with teams like the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears. At the University of North Carolina, Peppers was a two-sport star, playing power forward for the Tar Heels basketball team. In the 2001 NCAA Tournament, he helped UNC reach the second round, averaging around 7.4 points and 4.0 rebounds per game during his sophomore season. Peppers' explosive athleticism—evident in his dunks and shot-blocking—directly translated to football, where he recorded 159.5 sacks and earned nine Pro Bowl nods. His Hall of Fame induction in 2024 highlights how basketball's emphasis on agility and explosiveness enhanced his pass-rushing prowess.

Charlie Ward offers another compelling example. The Florida State University standout won the Heisman Trophy in 1993 as a quarterback but also excelled in basketball, leading the Seminoles to the Sweet 16 in the 1992 NCAA Tournament and the Elite Eight in 1993. Ward's court IQ and leadership were so impressive that he was drafted by the New York Knicks in the first round of the 1994 NBA Draft. He enjoyed a solid 11-year NBA career, primarily as a point guard, averaging 6.3 points and 4.0 assists per game. Ward's story is unique in that he chose basketball professionally over football, despite his gridiron accolades, proving that March Madness can propel athletes to pro success in the same sport or pivot them entirely.

Not all crossovers are to football; some venture into baseball or other fields. For instance, Dave Winfield, a basketball star at the University of Minnesota, helped the Golden Gophers reach the 1972 NCAA Tournament. Winfield's versatility led him to be drafted in three sports: NBA, ABA, and MLB. He chose baseball, becoming a 12-time All-Star and Hall of Famer with over 3,000 hits. Similarly, track and field legend Carl Lewis played basketball at the University of Houston, appearing in the 1981 NCAA Tournament before focusing on sprinting and long jump, where he won nine Olympic gold medals.

Then there's Antonio Gates, who didn't play college football at all but starred in basketball at Kent State University. In the 2002 and 2003 NCAA Tournaments, Gates led the Golden Flashes to impressive runs, including an Elite Eight appearance in 2002, where he averaged 21.3 points per game. His basketball background—emphasizing footwork and catching in traffic—made him an undrafted free agent sensation with the San Diego Chargers, where he became an eight-time Pro Bowl tight end with 116 touchdown receptions.

These athletes' journeys illustrate the broader impact of March Madness on multi-sport talents. The tournament's pressure cooker environment fosters skills like adaptability, clutch performance, and physical conditioning that transcend basketball. For McNabb, it was about leadership; for Gonzalez, physical dominance; for others like Peppers and Ward, raw athleticism. In an era where specialization is encouraged, these stories remind us of the value in versatility. As the NCAA Tournament continues to produce stars, who knows which current participant might one day headline in the NFL, MLB, or beyond? Their legacies endure, bridging the worlds of college hoops and professional excellence in unexpected ways.

(Word count: 1,248)

Read the Full Sporting News Article at:
[ https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-basketball/news/march-madness-other-sports-donovan-mcnabb-tony-gonzalez/fzfruxunb4rdh70om00crxan ]