Chad Ochocinco & 10 Other NFL Players Who Can Play Another Sport During Lockout

Some of the greatest athletes of all-time were those talented enough to play multiple sports.

Deion Sanders, Bo Jackson and Jim Thorpe were all NFL players who were known for their talents beyond the gridiron.

It may be shocking to hear, but there are many current NFL players who could possibly be as well versed as the legends listed above.

In fact, there is a long list of current players who are already known for their abilities in other sports.

With the current NFL lockout looming, some of these players could focus their talents in a new direction if a new collective bargaining agreement is not reached.

Here are 11 players who could play another sport during the NFL lockout.

11. Tony Gonzalez: Basketball

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Tony Gonzalez #88 of the Atlanta Falcons walks ooff the field dejected after they lost 48-21 against the Green Bay Packers during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (

While attending the University of California-Berkeley, Tony Gonzalez played both football and basketball.

In Gonzalez's junior season on the basketball team, where he averaged 6.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, the Golden Bears reached the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament.

That was Gonzalez's final year playing basketball. He declared as an early entry for the NFL Draft.

He probably could have succeeded if he chose to focus on basketball instead.

10. Michael Vick: Baseball

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 09: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles scrtambles against B.J. Raji #90 of the Green Bay Packers during the 2011 NFC wild card playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 9, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (

Michael Vick is a ridiculous athlete.

Chances are, he could play any sport. The Colorado Rockies thought so in 2000, when they chose Michael Vick in the 30th round of the MLB Draft.

At the time, Vick was entering his sophomore season at Virginia Tech.

What's funny, is that Vick hadn't played competitive baseball since he was 13 years old in eighth grade.

The Rockies still thought he had what it would take.

Maybe they were right?

9. Chris Johnson: Sprinter

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NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 09: Chris Johnson #28 of the Tennessee Titans runs with the ball against the Indianapolis Colts during the NFL game at LP Field on December 9, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

This one isn't speculation.

Chris Johnson told Pro Football Talk that he would join the U.S. Track Team in the case of a lockout.

On twitter, Johnson wrote:

“Boy they need to let me kno what’s gonna happen with this NFL lockout cause if they do ima join the us track tea."

Johnson has the fastest official 40-yard dash time of any player in the history of the NFL Combine and did run track in high school.

8. Antonio Gates: Basketball

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SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 05: Tight end Antonio Gates #85 of the San Diego Chargers scores a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders at Qualcomm Stadium on December 5, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 28-13. (Photo by Jeff Gross

Scouts said Antonio Gates was too small to play in the NBA.

That's right. Look at the picture.

I hope some teams realize what a stupid mistake that was.

Gates was an All-Conference player at Kent State. He averaged 20.6 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game his senior season.

He even has his no. 44 jersey retired with the Golden Flash.

Gates is a baller.

7. Saverio Rocca: Australian Rules Football

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PHILADELPHIA - DECEMBER 20: Sav Rocca #6 of the Philadelphia Eagles punts against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field on December 20, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

I'll be the first to admit, I have no idea what Australian Rules Football is.

I've never seen a game before, but from what I understand it's a lot like rugby. The fields and rules are slightly different.

Where did you think the Philadelphia punter came from?

Saverio Rocca, 6'5" and 265 pounds, was one of the best players in the history of the Australian Football League.

He is ranked 13th on the all-time records list for AFL goalkicking.

Rocca has many employment opportunities if the lockout continues. He could go back to the AFL, or just become a bouncer.

6. Tom Brady: Baseball

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots stands on the field during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa

Did you know that before Tom Brady even attended Michigan he was drafted to the Montreal Expos?

Makes sense right? Tom Brady has a great arm. A lot of quarterbacks could be pitchers.

Wrong. Brady was drafted as a catcher.

I have no idea how good Brady was, but he obviously had to have some talent to be drafted out of high school in the 18th round of the 1995 MLB draft.

5. Jason Babin: Mixed Martial Arts

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NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 03: Jason Babin #93 of the Tennessee Titans celebrates after sacking quarterback Kyle Orton #8 of the Denver Broncos during the first half at LP Field on October 3, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Im

This is another one of those guys that isn't purely speculation.

Jason Babin told the Tennessean that he would consider playing in the CFL or MMA if the lockout continues.

Babin likely couldn't get away with this if he was under contract, but the Titans chose not to resign him after a breakout year at defensive end.

It may just be the tattoos, but Babin looks like an intimidating guy. I would like to see him in the octagon.

4. Tony Romo: Golfing

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PEBBLE BEACH, CA - FEBRUARY 11: Professional football player Tony Romo hits from the 10th tee box at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am- Round Two at the Spyglass golf club on February 11, 2011 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Get

It's a pretty well-known fact that Tony Romo is an avid golfer.

In 2005 and 2010, he even attempted to make the U.S. Open.

Romo was actually never officially eliminated from his bid in 2010. He had made quite an impression, but was forced to withdraw after delays that would interrupt team activities with the Cowboys.

Here's your chance Romo. There's no football to get in your way this time.

3. Julius Peppers: Basketball

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: Julius Peppers #90 of the Chicago Bears is blocked by Chris Spencer #65 of the Seattle Seahawks in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty

Now that I think about it, the NFL players could probably put together their own basketball team and give some of these NBA teams a run for their money.

Julius Peppers was actually a reserve on North Carolina's basketball team in 2000 and 2001, but he was still a key player for the team.

In fact, coach Mike Krzyzewski recruited Peppers to play for Duke. Peppers chose North Carolina since he was told he could play both football and basketball there.

If Duke and North Carolina are in a recruiting battle for a player, he is probably extremely talented.

2. Tom Zbikowski: Boxing

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LAS VEGAS - MARCH 12: Tommy Zbikowski and Richard Bryant exchange punches during the Cruiserweight bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on March 12, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Tom Zbikowski wasted no time during the lockout.

On March 12, 2011 he returned to the ring for the first time since 2007 to face Richard Bryant.

The match lasted only one minute and 45 seconds before Zbikowski was declared the winner by TKO.

The win puts Zbikowski with a 2-0 record as a professional boxer.

He also boasts a 75-15 record as an amateur boxer.

1. Chad Ochocinco: Soccer

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KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 23: Chad Ochocinco begins tryout with Sporting Kansas City on March 23, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

In case you haven't heard already, Chad Ochocinco is trying out for the MLS team in Kansas City.

Ochocinco has always been a fan of soccer and if it were not for his grandmother convincing him to pursue football as a teenager, chances are he would already be playing somewhere.

He has made it clear this is not a stunt like his appearance on Dancing With the Stars or his reality dating show.

Ochocinco wants to play football, even if it's not the American version.