Is there anyone capable of playing two sports at the very highest levels in the 21st century?

Obviously, when this question is posed by media, only athletes from the most popular sports are considered. Why? Because media knows that they will get eyes and ears when they talk about

LeBron James — not the latest version of Jackie Joyner-Kersee or “Dan vs. Dave”.

And, oh, yea… LeBron could surely pull off this football thing… so it’s not an unreasonable fantasy.

Michael Jordan was an average minor league baseball player, after dominating basketball. Randy Moss was amazing as a receiver, but even an all-state teenager loses something after years away from the basketball court.

Bo Jackson has plummeted from public consciousness, probably by his own hand, but he might have been the best multi-sport athlete of the last few decades. Or at least the most justifiably-hyped.

There is no one like this today. But NBA player LeBron James brought out the question of two-sport stars when he said he would like to try playing in an NFL game. The question was apparently asked in an online chat, and the probably-casual answer got plucked out for inspection.

Sports talking heads have intimated that LeBron would be a capable tight end or receiver. Maybe even a linebacker. He likely could have done whatever he wanted. Still could, technically. But the sensation it would cause–LeBron James, suiting up for the Cleveland Browns–would be out of control. So it’ll never happen.

Deion Sanders left no question of his capability. He was a bonafide baseball outfielder and baserunner, plus a talented defensive and return man in football. When a kicked ball floated his way, you didn’t want the cable to suddenly fizz out.

As Sanders would make his move, football fans of his day remember chanting ESPN’s Chris Berman’s encouragment: Prime Time… Prime Time… Then there would be that scarecrow-esque high kicks that accelerated him away from the last hapless defenders. Touchdown. Watching Sanders return punts and kicks was like watching Reggie Jackson take an at-bat, or Jordan at the top of the key with his footwork beginning to heat up.

 

“Neon Deion” parlayed his skills and personality into a music career and successful product shill, eventually leading to a well-liked commentator (i.e. “talking head”).

In 1992, as the Braves muscled through the National League and the Falcons looked playoff-bound as well, Sanders encountered some push-back as he split his time between football and baseball. Partly because of team loyalties, and partly because of money factors.

The NFL-addled Peter King wrote in Sports Illustrated, August 1992:

Sanders tried to describe the feeling of having to choose between two sports he plays very well. “I want it all,” he said. “But you can’t have it all in this world. So I need to make a decision… I want the zoo to stop.”

The Falcons… aren’t interested in time-sharing. “You know me,” says Falcon coach Jerry Glanville. [isn’t is funny when public figures say “You know me” to media and onlookers? No… we don’t know you.] “You have to remember that I’m a team-concept guy. I have to think of 50 players, not one.”

Imagine what today’s insta-opinion world would have made of Sanders’ “decision.” Maybe Bron is blessed to avoid two sets of sports fans dissecting him.