About a month ago, NBA player Austin River’s bold claim set social media ablaze with his assertion that NBA players could successfully transition to the NFL if they desired. This bold claim has since fueled an ongoing debate among sports enthusiasts and professionals. Recently, this topic found an unexpected advocate in former NFL tight end Greg Olsen.
Olsen, a former first-round pick by the Chicago Bears in 2007, who enjoyed a successful 13-year career in the NFL, weighed in on the matter during a conversation with NBA player Patrick Beverley on his podcast. Greg Olsen didn’t just support Rivers’ bold claim; he doubled down on it, suggesting that the physicality of football is the main hurdle but surmountable for many NBA players.
“If they just can’t handle any of the physicality, then it’s a different story,” Olsen explained. “But from a skill set, I could find 10 basketball players that could make an NFL roster. I think that’s totally realistic.”
“I could find 10 basketball players that could go make an NFL roster. I think that’s totally realistic.” 👀
– Greg Olsen
(Via @PatBevPod )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 4, 2024
Greg Olsen’s opinion holds weight, given his extensive experience and success in the NFL. Over the course of his career, Olsen amassed 8,683 receiving yards and 60 touchdowns in 199 career games, with notable stints with the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks. His insight into what it takes to succeed in the NFL provides a credible foundation for his support of Rivers’ statement.
Taking the discussion a step further, Olsen identified one NBA player he believes could make the jump to the NFL immediately: the Minnesota Timberwolves’ All-Star Anthony Edwards. Known for his exceptional athleticism and physical attributes, Edwards stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 225 pounds, making him a prime candidate for positions like safety or cornerback in football.
“Anthony Edwards, he’s probably a great example of a guy playing now,” Olsen elaborated. “If you don’t think he could be an NFL free safety tomorrow, you’re lying to yourself.”
Edwards’ potential transition to football isn’t just theoretical. The Timberwolves star has a background in the sport, having played football during his youth. Moreover, Edwards has expressed an interest in becoming a dual-sport athlete. Just last year, he declared his ambition to be the first player to compete professionally in both the NBA and NFL.
However, Edwards emphasized that his primary focus remains on basketball. His current goal is to lead the Timberwolves to an NBA championship, a pursuit that nearly came to fruition this past season. The Timberwolves reached the conference finals for the first time in 20 years but were ultimately eliminated by the Dallas Mavericks.
Olsen’s endorsement of Rivers’ claim has reignited the debate on whether NBA players possess the skill set and physicality necessary to succeed in the NFL. While the two sports require different physical and technical proficiencies, Olsen’s argument highlights the transferable athletic abilities of professional athletes. The conversation brings attention to the versatility and potential crossover success of athletes in different sports domains.
The notion of NBA players transitioning to the NFL is fascinating and speaks to the broader question of athletic versatility. Greg Olsen’s support of this idea, backed by his professional experience, lends credibility to the argument. His identification of Anthony Edwards as a viable NFL candidate is particularly compelling, given Edwards’ athletic background and expressed interest in football.
However, the debate also underscores the unique challenges each sport presents. Football’s physical demands and the strategic complexity of positions like safety or cornerback differ significantly from basketball. The transition would require not just physical prowess but also extensive training and adaptation to the nuances of football.
The potential for such crossover success exemplifies the broader narrative of multi-sport athleticism, a rare but captivating phenomenon in professional sports. As athletes like Edwards continue to express interest in dual-sport careers, the discussion initiated by Rivers and amplified by Olsen will likely persist, captivating fans and analysts alike.
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