12 Professional Athletes that EXCELLED at a Different Sport

by Bryan Weber | Aug 16, 2026

In the modern era there is a lot of talk about specializing in one sport. With year round travel ball, the increasing cost to play, and everyone having a personal trainer, it's become rare for high level players to excel at multiple sports.

Here is a list of some players who made it to the top of their profession that were awesome at a different sport than the sport they went pro in.

ANTHONY EDWARDS - FOOTBALL

Anthony Edwards could have been the greatest Football Player of All Time

pic.twitter.com/xZLwMa2IvK
— Hoop Herald (@TheHoopHerald) January 11, 2026

ALLEN IVERSON - FOOTBALL

(1992) Allen Iverson was a problem on the football field! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/yHF1PmRH4L
— Timeless Sports (@timelesssports_) November 16, 2019

KENNY LOFTON - BASKETBALL

When MLB great, Kenny Lofton, left Arizona he was the schools all-time steals leader

Lofton attended Arizona on a basketball scholarship. The Wildcats made it to the Final Four in 1988. He did not join the school's baseball team until his junior year

Insane athlete pic.twitter.com/9UfyKnZLgF
— Hoop Herald (@TheHoopHerald) March 27, 2026

LEBRON JAMES - FOOTBALL

LeBron James playing High School Football

He was one of the best Wide Receiver prospects in the country before focusing on Basketball

6’8
240
Ran a 4.4 40 yard dash

A bigger Randy Moss by the numbers pic.twitter.com/HRbJwJM6L4
— Hoop Herald (@TheHoopHerald) June 15, 2026

TRAVIS KELCE - BASKETBALL

Travis Kelce in his last high school basketball game

16 points and 11 rebounds in 19 minutes

pic.twitter.com/lg9XIJatiT
— BBQ Chiefs (@BBQChiefs) December 27, 2025

RANDY MOSS - BASKETBALL

It’s crazy that Jason Williams “White Chocolate” was teammates in both Football and Basketball with Randy Moss in High School

What a duo

pic.twitter.com/5WCDtJB7wg
— Hoop Herald (@TheHoopHerald) October 27, 2025

TRACY MCGRADY - BASEBALL

Imagine if Tracy McGrady chose baseball over basketball! 🤯

“When we got Penny (Hardaway) in Orlando, that’s when I really fell in love with the game… I was bullied into playing basketball because baseball was my first sport and my first love” - @Tmac_213 pic.twitter.com/5yqosXiAIx
— Tidal League (@TidalLeague) June 25, 2023

JIM BROWN - LACROSSE

Jim Brown Lacrosse highlights from @CuseMLAX pic.twitter.com/hAHLub6Q7T
— Old Football Film (@FilmHistoric) July 21, 2020

PATRICK MAHOMES - BASEBALL

Patrick Mahomes during the 2010 Junior League Baseball World Series ⚾🔥 pic.twitter.com/OCUNH8w0lf
— Baseball’s Greatest Moments (@BBGreatMoments) April 22, 2025

NATE ROBINSON - FOOTBALL

People forget how good NBA star Nate Robinson was at football

pic.twitter.com/hdpRIiRSok
— Hoop Herald (@TheHoopHerald) March 13, 2024

ANTONIO GATES - BASKETBALL

Crazy that Antonio Gates took Kent State to the Elite 8 💪🏾🏀 pic.twitter.com/5rjiZIgLWm
— Nosebleed Baseball (@Baseball_NBS) April 16, 2026

TONY GONZALEZ - BASKETBALL

Former #Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez was insane at basketball, averaging 26 points a game in HS while spending his summers playing against future NBA All-Stars Stephon Marbury, Jerry Stackhouse and Shareef Abdur-Rahim.

He later went on to play 🏀 & 🏈 for the Cal. Golden Bears. pic.twitter.com/6TZ2W01meO
— The Sports E-cyclopedia (@The_Ecyclopedia) June 15, 2023