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Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards teased that he’ll play football if he wins an NBA title in the next three-or-four years.
Edwards made his remarks during a dual ESPN interview alongside Minnesota Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
“You’re not going to football,” Jefferson stated emphatically. Edwards replied: “I am going to play football.”
Chances are Edwards will not, in fact, play NFL football. But if it does happen, Edwards would become the first athlete to ever play in the NBA and NFL. Edwards didn’t play high school or college football. He did once star on the Pop Warner fields for the Atlanta Vikings.
At 6’4″ and 225 pounds, Edwards could make for a great wide receiver in theory. But he has enough on his plate right now trying to lead Minnesota to its first-ever NBA title.
This isn’t the first time Edwards has brought up the topic of playing in the NFL. He told comedian Marco Summers on “Open Thoughts” that he could be the first person to play in the NFL and NBA.
“I think I might be the first one,” Edwards said. He then added: “I’m gonna try… First I gotta handle my business in the NBA … Minnesota organization, we want to win a championship. After that, we’ll figure that out.”
Thirteen athletes have played in both MLB and the NBA, including Danny Ainge, Dave DeBusschere and Chuck Connors. There’s also been NFL and MLB stars, most notably Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders.
In theory, Edwards leaving the NBA and actually landing an NFL gig would be a remarkable feat, especially for someone who hasn’t played organized football in so long. He is an incredible athlete, though, who routinely flies above defenders for Earth-shattering dunks. Edwards certainly could have found himself as an NFL athlete had he not focused on basketball.
For now, though, Edwards is a member of the Timberwolves, who should be in the NBA title conversation after a Western Conference Finals appearance last year. Their regular season starts Tuesday at the Los Angeles Lakers.
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