As a kid, I loved watching Bo Jackson play football in the Fall and Baseball in the Summer. Bo was a rare athlete, I mean he had an extra gear that could catapult him through defenders on the gridiron and throw someone out from center field on the diamond. He had a gift and it helped him gain legendary status. Another player I loved to watch switch sports was “Prime Time”, Deion Sanders. The flashy, showboat had lightning speed and could burn defenders and he had the burners to steal second before you could say who’s on first?(no pun attended).
Which brings me to the new blood- Kyler Murray. In his only season at Norman, the heisman winner threw for 4,361 yards and 42 touchdowns. He also lead the team to a Big XII title and a playoff berth. Now he has decided to enter the NFL Draft, something many people(myself included) speculated he would, knowing that he already had a offer from the Oakland Athletics to play baseball. Which brings us to this juncture: What will this young man ultimately decide to do? Will he play football? Will he play baseball? Or we he try to juggle both sports like the greats I mentioned earlier?
At 5’10, 195 lbs, it will be a tough order for him to see over some of those giants on the defensive line. Yea he can run, but he will have to do it on many occasions. On the flip side he is a special talent, but can you really put him in the same conversation as Bo Jackson or Deion Sanders? Maybe it’s too soon to say, but if I was the one counseling this young man, I would say this- “Do what you love. You have been given a special opportunity to play in a sport that only a select few can play. If it doesn’t work out, try baseball. You have those options available. ”
In hindsight, only Kyler Murray can answer these questions. Both sports have pros and cons and career wise each has it’s own lifespan. But with his skill set and talents, why not try both? Who knows, maybe Murray ends up a two-sport athlete and goes down as a legend. I’m just glad we all get to see it transpire.
JDubb's Sideline Report 