The debate over whether NFL and NBA players could immediately play and succeed in their opposite sports raged over the week, and former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce took the floor on Saturday.
ESPN NFL analyst Ryan Clark initially pushed back on NBA guard Austin Rivers’ idea that 30 basketball professionals could play in the NFL. Clark pointed out that Draymond Green tried to play in Michigan State’s spring Green and White football game in 2011 and didn’t handle it well.
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LeBron James throws a football at AT&T Stadium before a Sunday night game between the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys on September 8, 2013 in Arlington, Texas. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
However, Kelce responded to Clark’s post by saying there was one person he could turn into a “red zone threat.”
“I love this argument and this passion from Ryan, and as a football player, my mind screams yeah!!!” Kelce wrote on NFL.”
The debate began when Rivers said last week that he could take 30 NBA players and seamlessly integrate them into the NFL.
“You can’t take 30 players from the NFL and put them in the NBA,” Rivers said.
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Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles speaks during an NFL football press conference announcing his retirement in Philadelphia on Monday, March 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
The former Duke star responded to JJ Watt’s misgivings, saying he only thought some could play in the NFL.
“@JJWatt played 11 years [in the NBA] Broski. Actually he might play next year…that would make it 12,” Rivers posted “…like someone I know. Respect your [sic] a football legend who holds his own for the brothers. My comments were not meant to be disrespectful. Just a point about the athletic talent of SOME NBA players…
“You don’t think Ant Man [Anthony Edwards] could he make that transition to the NFL? Wide receiver? First LeBron? If we [Williamson]? Prime D Rose [Derrick Rose] Or [Russell] Westbrook? Aaron Gordon at tight end? Now give me yours for the NFL and NBA…I’ll wait. Notice I never said by the way. It’s so gentle with the shadow towards me.
LeBron James, right, is greeted by Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett before a game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on September 8, 2013 in Arlington, Texas. (Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
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In James’ case, he played football in high school before focusing solely on basketball. He was first team all-state from Ohio and was recruited by Notre Dame.
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