Julius Peppers was a baller on the hardwood
Didn't know this until recently but Preston Pearson - Roger Staubauch era RB and 3rd down specialist was also a former BB player - we picked him up from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Source Preston Pearson wikipedia
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Pearson attended
Freeport High School, where he received All-State honors as the
center of the
basketball team. He also played
football.
After writing a letter to head coach
Harry Combes, he walked on at the
University of Illinois. In college he was moved to
guard and became a two-year starter. He was known primarily for his tough defense and was one of the few players to have ever block a "
skyhook" shot from
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (known as Lew Alcindor).
[1]
Although he possessed the athletic and leaping ability, he never developed his offensive game, finishing his career with a 6.7 points average in 47 games.
[2]
Baltimore Colts
Pearson was selected by the
Baltimore Colts in the twelfth round (298th overall) of the
1967 NFL Draft despite never playing a down of college football, after the team was impressed with his speed and athleticism.
[3] He was first tried at
defensive back and was promoted from the
taxi squad to the regular roster on November 1, playing mostly on
special teams.
[4]