In today’s era of early specialization and year-round training, there remains a powerful tradition among elite athletes: playing more than one sport. From football players doubling as sprinters in track season to basketball stars lacing up their cleats for baseball, the multi-sport athlete remains a staple of American high school and collegiate athletics. This isn’t just a modern occurrence — the roots of multi-sport excellence run deep in sports history, often laying the foundation for some of the greatest athletes of all time.
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Historical Roots of Multi-Sport Athletes
Long before there were private coaches, sport-specific camps, or million-dollar endorsement deals, athletes played whatever was in season. In the early to mid-20th century, it wasn’t uncommon for high school and college athletes to compete in three or more sports. Many professional legends did it all before going pro.
Jim Thorpe, widely considered one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century, was a two-time Olympic gold medalist in track and field who also played professional baseball and football.
Bo Jackson famously dominated both the NFL and MLB, becoming the only athlete to be named an All-Star in both sports.
Deion Sanders played in the NFL and MLB simultaneously and is still the only person to have played in both a Super Bowl and a World Series.
These legends weren’t just athletic anomalies; they were products of a culture that valued well-rounded development and competitive versatility.
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Why Multi-Sport Participation Matters
Even today, many coaches and recruiters prefer athletes who play multiple sports — especially in high school. Why? Because it builds a more complete athletic profile:
Injury Prevention: Playing different sports works different muscle groups, reducing the risk of overuse injuries.
Mental Toughness: Competing year-round in various environments fosters adaptability and grit.
Transferable Skills: Footwork from basketball can enhance cornerback play in football. Sprint mechanics from track improve burst and acceleration across all sports.
Less Burnout: Switching gears keeps the game fresh and fun.
The NCAA has even reported that a high percentage of Division I athletes were multi-sport athletes in high school. For example, over 88% of NFL Draft picks since 2010 were multi-sport athletes in high school.
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Modern Multi-Sport Athletes
Despite increasing pressures to specialize, many modern stars kept multiple sports in their rotation through high school or college:
Kyler Murray (NFL QB): Starred in both football and baseball in high school, and was drafted 9th overall in the 2018 MLB Draft by the Oakland A’s — the same year he won the Heisman Trophy.
Jameis Winston: Played both quarterback and pitcher at Florida State, helping lead the baseball team as well as winning the Heisman Trophy in football.
Marquise Goodwin: NFL wide receiver who also competed in the long jump at the 2012 London Olympics.
Jeff Samardzija: Played wide receiver at Notre Dame and was projected as a first-round NFL draft pick before choosing MLB, where he had a successful pitching career.
At the high school level, many football players routinely join the track and field team in spring to work on speed and explosiveness, while others play baseball to hone hand-eye coordination. College coaches, especially in football, often encourage this because it keeps players in competition mode and sharpens their overall athleticism.
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Notable Combinations
Football + Track & Field: Sprinting improves acceleration, while jumps build explosive power. Common for skill-position players (WRs, DBs, RBs).
Football + Baseball: Quarterbacks and outfielders often share overlapping skill sets in throwing mechanics and field awareness.
Basketball + Football: Especially common for tight ends and wide receivers, as rebounding and route running share similar timing and body control.
Wrestling + Football: Linemen and linebackers benefit from wrestling’s focus on leverage, balance, and hand fighting.
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The Future of the Multi-Sport Athlete
While year-round club teams and scholarship pressures push toward specialization, there’s a growing counter-movement encouraging athletes to diversify. Coaches across all levels now stress the long-term benefits of playing multiple sports.
Ultimately, playing two or more sports isn’t just about gaining a competitive edge — it’s about building a more complete, more resilient, and more joyful athlete. As history has shown, some of the best to ever do it came from the world of multi-sport competition — and that legacy continues today.
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Conclusion
From the legends of the past to today’s stars, the multi-sport athlete remains a key part of the athletic landscape. In high school and college, playing more than one sport offers far more than just a way to stay in shape — it’s often the very thing that propels an athlete to greatness.
Whether it’s the football player running track in spring or the quarterback throwing fastballs in summer, multi-sport athletes are a testament to the power of diverse experiences and relentless drive.
