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Some athletes possess an uncanny ability to excel in multiple disciplines, defying the conventional limitations of their respective fields.
Deion Sanders, Shohei Ohtani and Steph Curry are prime examples of such extraordinary talents.
Ohtani's prowess on the baseball diamond, knocking home runs out of the park while also pitching strikeouts isn't something that we've seen in generations, and Curry's remarkable golf skills, sinking hole-in-ones makes us believe that he could also excel on the tour.
Meanwhile Coach Prime is having a resurgence of his own coaching the Colorado Buffaloes, making his playing for both the Atlanta Braves and Atlanta Falcons at the same time unimaginable by any player today.
All serve as potent reminders of the greatness displayed by history's most revered two-sport athletes. As we marvel at their accomplishments, it begs the question about who really is the greatest two sport athlete of all time?
Could the greatest two-sport athlete in history be former NBA playing, National Champion, and Heisman trophy winning Charlie Ward?
Charlie Ward
In the pantheon of unheralded athletes, Charlie Ward stands tall as a testament to versatility and greatness. As the Heisman Trophy winner in 1993, Ward led Florida State University to a National Championship with remarkable passing skills and unrivaled football intelligence. He was literally the very best player in all of college football, yet due to mostly likely bias, he went undrafted.
After going undrafted, (which is as absurd as it sounds) Ward successfully entered the NBA, where he played point guard for over a decade (the most difficult position to play in the NBA, which is a testament to his extraordinary out of this world talent.
Shohei Ohtani has taken Major League Baseball by storm, showcasing skills that transcend the boundaries of traditional play. As a pitcher, he consistently unleashes blazing fastballs, and as a hitter, he sends baseballs soaring over stadium walls. Ohtani's ability to excel on both fronts harkens back to the era of Babe Ruth, an icon who revolutionized the game. Watching Ohtani deliver masterful performances evokes a sense of nostalgia for the days when two-sport athletes were revered for their exceptional talents.
On the basketball court, Steph Curry's proficiency in shooting three-pointers is unrivaled, propelling him to basketball superstardom. However, off the court, Curry has displayed another facet of his sporting prowess - a love for golf.
When Curry isn't dazzling fans with his pinpoint shooting, he can be found sinking improbable hole-in-ones on the golf course. This rare combination of talents demonstrates Curry's natural athleticism and highlights the undeniable allure of two-sport greatness.
Many great athletes have refined and diversified their skills, participating in multiple sports at a young age, and embracing the versatility that comes with it. This can also serve as a reminder for young athletes to diversify their skillsets with different sports, and to not over train in one specialty too early.
What's better for training speed, sprints on a track or suicides on a basketball court?
Allen Iverson was a star quarterback, LeBron James a star wide receiver, Patrick Mahomes, Kyler Murray, and Russel Wilson all baseball players, while Joel Embiid grew up playing volleyball.The lesson for young athletes is to focus on being well rounded.
related: Kids are Quitting Sports Because They Aren't Fun, Are They Supposed To Be?
The Benefits of Playing Multiple Sports
Different sports emphasize different movements and muscles, giving a substantial advantage to participants who are fully training within them.
The first step and lower body strength in football translates to greater explosiveness and strength, the throwing of a baseball fine tunes the throwing motion of a quarterback, the footwork of soccer masters the lower body in ways that translates into basketball greatness.
Shohei Ohtani and Steph Curry epitomize the timeless allure of two-sport athletes, harking back to the days of legendary figures like Babe Ruth, Deion Sanders, and Bo Jackson.
None can match the two sport success of Charlie Ward and it's not remotely close.
As we marvel at their achievements, we are reminded of the possibilities that lie within athletes who possess multidimensional talents. In the modern sporting landscape, the prospect of a player going undrafted and excelling in two sports has become a tantalizing reality.
Among the ranks of such gifted athletes, Charlie Ward's versatility and success in both football and basketball make him one of the most underrated athletes in history.
As we celebrate the greatness of Ohtani and Curry, let us also be reminded of the greatness that we're witnessing and remember the remarkable journey of Charlie Ward and the limitless potential of future two-sport stars.
It can also serve as a reminder for young athletes to not over train in one sport too early. Allen Iverson was a star quarterback, LeBron James a star wide receiver, Patrick Mahomes a baseball player, and the list goes on so do yourself a favor and diversify.
related: Cancel Culture vs. Critical Thinking: Ja Morant Proves Why We Must Embrace Diversity
