The NFL and MLB have seen their share of dual-sport athletes over the years, a list A.J. Brown might consider joining. Brown, the star wide receiver on the Tennessee Titans, has the itch to play professional baseball again.
In a series of social media posts Thursday, Brown tweeted to the San Diego Padres all he needs is a workout. The Padres drafted Brown in the 19th round of the 2016 MLB Amateur Draft before he went on to become a star wide receiver at Ole Miss. Brown was a 2015 Under Armour All-America selection, batting behind Toronto Blue Jays star Bo Bichette on the National roster. Brown played in the same game with top prospects Carter Kieboom and Jesus Luzardo, both of whom have reached the major leagues.
Brown also had some fun when posting about a return to baseball, tweeting his career would be better than Michael Jordan's baseball career.
If Brown would give baseball a shot, he would join the likes of Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders as the star athletes to tackle two sports in the Super Bowl era. Jackson averaged 5.4 yards per carry in his four NFL seasons, playing a partial schedule that started when baseball season ended. A Pro Bowler in 1990, Jackson's NFL career ended when he suffered a hip injury in the 1991 playoffs. Jackson was an MLB All-Star in the 1989 season, winning All-Star Game MVP.
Sanders never made an All-Star Game in baseball in his nine seasons, but led the National League with 14 triples in 1992. A Pro Football Hall of Famer, Sanders was a First Team All-Pro selection six times, Pro Bowl selection eight times, two-time Super Bowl champion, and the 1994 Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year.
If Brown were to consider baseball, Titans fans shouldn't worry. Brown is set to cash in on his rookie deal after having 185 catches for 1,995 yards and 24 touchdowns (16.2 yards per catch) in his three seasons in the league. Brown is one of the top deep threats in the league and is expected to get a massive contract extension for it.
Football would still be the top priority for Brown, even if it would be neat to see him on the diamond from March until July.
