Welcome to the great debate. Jeremy Kaufman asks the question: who is the greatest two-sport athlete in history?
Arguably the most intriguing individuals within the realm of athletics are those rare athletes who can compete in two different sports simultaneously and at the highest of levels.
Therefore, I have taken it upon myself to decide who was the greatest two-sport athlete of all time. After careful consideration, I decided to nominate Bo Jackson, Deion Sanders, and Jim Brown to contend for this prestigious title.
1) Bo Jackson: Football (Running Back) & Baseball (Outfield)
Baseball Career: BA- .250, HR- 141, RBI- 415, SB- 82
Football Career: Yds- 2,782, AVG- 5.4, TD- 16
Bo Jackson is considered by many to be one of the most talented athletes of all time. He played both professional football and baseball simultaneously. Bo managed to put up some mind boggling production on the gridiron, along with some prolific power and speed on the baseball diamond.
The most intriguing statistic that Bo has earned throughout his athletic career is his 5.4 yards per carry average, a number that few players in football history have ever approached.
However, Bo Jackson’s contention for the title of the greatest two-sport athlete of all time may be hindered, as his career in both sports was shortened due to a severe hip injury. In spite of this obstacle though, Bo Jackson’s accomplishments on the gridiron and diamond are more than noteworthy.
2) Deion Sanders: Football (Cornerback) & Baseball (Outfield)
Baseball Career: Soon To Be Updated
Football Career- Tackles- 513, Int- 53 dTD- 9
Deion Sanders may have been the most exciting athlete to watch in the history of sports. On the gridiron, Deion was the definition of a lockdown cornerback, as it was almost impossible for a receiver to beat him. When a quarterback attempted to try him, they often paid the price, as evidenced by his 53 career interceptions.
In addition to his defensive prowess, Sanders was an amazing punt returner, and even received significant playing time as a wide receiver.
On the baseball diamond, Sanders put his great speed to use as well, accumulating 304 stolen bases. Sanders wasn’t exactly a weakling either, as he collected 39 home runs in his baseball career.
Few individuals are ever lucky enough to say they have played a sport professionally. Sanders played two, and he was a star in both.
3) Jim Brown: Football (Running Back) & Lacrosse (Midfield)
Football Career (Rushing) Yds- 12,312, AVG- 5.2, TD- 106
College Lacrosse Career: Stats Unknown
Perhaps the most fascinating of the three nominees is Jim Brown. Jim Brown is known by many to be the greatest football player of all time, or at the very least the greatest running back. While he only played 9 seasons in the NFL, Jim Brown owned virtually every possible rushing record at the point of his retirement.
In addition, Brown was a solid receiver out of the backfield, and even created some big time trick plays by throwing the ball. However, as amazing as a football player as Jim Brown was, he may have been an even better lacrosse player.
While I was unable to find a copy of Jim Brown’s lacrosse statistics, it is a known fact that he was very, very good. So good, in fact, that Jim Brown is in the Lacrosse Hall Of Fame, and is considered by many to be the greatest lacrosse player to ever live.
Being considered the greatest player of all time in one sport is an incredible, mind boggling accomplishment. Being given the same honor in a completely different sport—I still have trouble comprehending that.
Jim Brown played 3 years for the Syracuse lacrosse team, and in that time dominated in a way that few others ever have in a sport.
Jim Brown was a dominant face off midfielder, winning face-offs at a greater percentage than possibly any other man in history. When he had the ball, the 235 pound Brown would just run over his defenders and score at will. In addition, Brown was a solid defender, effective passer, and was able to do damage both as a lefty and a righty.
While it is difficult to compare Brown wtih modern day players, as there was no such thing as Major League Lacrosse back then, Jim did play against the elite players of his era, and completely dominated in every facet of the game.
So who is the greatest two-sport athlete of all time? After much debate (with myself), I believe that this prestigious honor belongs to Jim Brown. So now, the question is...
WHO DO YOU THINK IS THE GREATEST EVER?
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3 months ago
You pretty much nailed it man, and in order. Good stuff.
3 months ago
Good artice and nice stats to support your picks. Wow, i didn't know Deion hit over 300 home runs. Impressive.
3 months ago
deion sanders hit 39 home run in 13 seasons...i am guessing this is a joke article.
from 3 months ago
and he only had 168 rbi's
3 months ago
although bo clearly didnt have the greatest career stat he was definitely the best athlete in his prime no one has or ever will touch him- heisman, fastest nfl combine 40 time (may have been broken recently), hit a 400+ bomb in the mlb all-star game, 5.4, on pros vs joes had never done skeet shooting and just dominated everyone, zero weight lifting, still holds pretty much every high school record in his state, i'm leaving out a ton of ridiculous stuff but you get the idea
You did leave out jim thrope though but he was more like a 20 sport athlete
3 months ago
Bo ran for over 900 yards in 11 games with an average of 5.5 ypc in 1989. His first homerun in MLB was 475 ft. the longest ever in Kauffman Stadium. He was a phenom.
from 3 months ago
Cool 11 games.
Jim Brown averaged 5.2 for a 9 year career in which he set every offensive record of the time, led the league in rushing 5 of 9, and is the only rusher in NFL history to average over 100 yards per game for a career.
Bo Jackson was phenomenal but he can't get the nod based on that little of a career; regardless of injury......you can always say what if with him but not with brown.
Besides the best stat of Bo Jackson's career that hasn't been mentioned is he led the majors (i believe all time as well) in broken bats; those being over his own leg in frustration. Animal.
from 3 months ago
You're right Spenser, but I guess I just have soft spot for Bo. I guy that tallented shouldn't have his career stolen by injury. I think most people would agree that Jim Brown was the greatest running back of all time. You know who else was not mentioned in this article was Hershell Walker. May not have been the best ball player ever, but was one hell of an athlete.
3 months ago
Sorry guys, I made some serious errors in respect to Deion Sanders, it turns out he did only have 39 homers in his career. The article will be edited soon in accordance with the correct information.
3 months ago
Crap, I knew he didn't hit over 300 HR. I should've looked it up myself.
from 3 months ago
lol yea, I must've pulled up the wrong Sanders on mlb.com when i was analyzing the stats. Sorry again about the mistake.
3 months ago
Oh, you were probably thinking of Reggie Sanders.
3 months ago
Deon Sanders #2? You can't be serious
from 3 months ago
It's in no particular order!!!!!!!!!!!! I listed the nominees in a random order, not in order of their greatness. If you want them in order of their greatness, it would be this:
1) Jim Brown
2) Bo Jackson
3) Deon Sanders
Hope that clears things up.
3 months ago
JIM BROWN SHOULD BE #1. He is perhaps the best football player EVER and the best lacrosse player EVER. Deon Sanders and Bo Jackson arent even in the same breath as Jim Brown, and both of those players are not even close to being the best ever in their sports, they just happend to be good at both.
from 3 months ago
Jim Brown is #1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Read the whole article, I clearly say that Brown is the best ever. The list at the top was given in no particular order. Hope that clears things up, sorry for the confusion.
3 months ago
in 9 seasons sanders had 186 stolen bases and 39 home runs, in other words 20 steals and 4 home runs a season. not exactly stellar numbers, he never played in many games either due to football. i would have to say jim brown should be ahead of him. lacrosse had to change it's rules because of him, the late great dick schaap played goalie for cornell and claims he never saw the ball when he shot it....
from 3 months ago
Yea, I agree that Jim Brown was the greatest of the 3 as well. Just in case there was any confusion, the 3 nominees were listed in no particular order. What Jim Brown did for lacrosse though was certainly unbelievable, and his time in the NFL was incredible as well.
3 months ago
JIM THORPE not even close.........
-two olympic gold medals (decathlon & pentathlon; Along with the two gold medals, Thorpe also received two challenge prizes, which were donated by King Gustav V of Sweden for the decathlon and Czar Nicholas II of Russia for the pentathlon. Legend has it that, when awarding Thorpe his prize, King Gustav said, "You, sir, are the greatest athlete in the world," to which Thorpe replied, "Thanks, King.")
-played football collegiantly (As a running back, defensive back, placekicker, and punter for his school's football team, Thorpe scored all of his team's points—four field goals and a touchdown—in an 18-15 upset of Harvard. His team finished the season 11–1. The next year they won the championship and beat Army. In that game, Thorpe scored a 92-yard touchdown that was nullified by a penalty incurred by a teammate; Thorpe then scored a 97-yard touchdown on the next play. During that game, future President Dwight Eisenhower injured his knee while trying to tackle Thorpe. Eisenhower recalled of Thorpe in a 1961 speech, "Here and there, there are some people who are supremely endowed. My memory goes back to Jim Thorpe. He never practiced in his life, and he could do anything better than any other football player I ever saw.")
-played football professionally (The team won titles in 1916, 1917, and 1919. Thorpe reportedly ended the 1919 championship game by kicking a wind-assisted 95–yard punt from his team's own 5-yard line, effectively putting the game out of reach. He retired from football at 41 years of age; and hes in the Hall of Fame)
-played professional baseball (Thorpe signed with the New York Giants baseball club in 1913 and played sporadically with them as an outfielder for three seasons. After playing in the minors with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1916, he returned to the Giants in 1917 but was sold to the Cincinnati Reds early in the season. In the "double no-hitter" between Fred Toney of the Reds and Hippo Vaughn of the Chicago Cubs, Thorpe drove in the winning run in the 10th inning. Late in the season, he was sold back to the Giants. Again, he played sporadically for the Giants in 1918 and was traded to the Boston Braves on May 21, 1919, for Pat Ragan. In his career, he amassed 91 runs scored, 82 runs batted in and a .252 batting average over 289 games. He continued to play baseball with teams in the minor leagues until 1922)
-played professional basketball for 2 years with a team that toured the eastcoast.
He is a member of the college & pro football, U.S. Olympic, and national track and field halls of fame.
from 3 months ago
All good points, and I should let you know that I did give Jim Thorpe some heavy consideration to appear in my final 3. However, in my personal opinion, I judged dominance in track or a decatholon to be different from competing in two professional sports leagues simultaneously throughout the duration of one's career. While Jim Brown's lacrosse career didn't extend pass lacrosse, to chose to see this as an exception to my rule, as there was no higher level of lacrosse back then than the level at which he played. In fact, Brown is still regarded by many in both the football and lacrosse communties to be the best player ever in each sport. Being the best player ever in 2 major team sports? To me, that can't be beat. I do respect your opinion though, and you definitely seem to know your stuff. Thanks for the comment.
from 3 months ago
Your're right about Jim Brown, So why wasn't he # 1? it certainly shouldn't be Bo Jackson. As great as he was his injury cut short is career and like it or not that parts of being an athlete; there is luck involved. Both Deion (soon to be) and Jim Brown are in the Hall of Fame; Bo Jackson isn't. As for Deion he loses out to Brown because although he was the best cover corner ever he never hit anyone.
I'm just saying Thorpe needs to be on the list.
3 months ago
o just saw they're not in order haha
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