{"id":119568,"date":"2026-04-20T10:17:11","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T14:17:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=119568"},"modified":"2026-04-20T10:25:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T14:25:16","slug":"from-bo-jackson-to-kyler-murray-the-complete-history-of-mlb-nfl-crossover-stars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/04\/20\/from-bo-jackson-to-kyler-murray-the-complete-history-of-mlb-nfl-crossover-stars\/","title":{"rendered":"From Bo Jackson to Kyler Murray: The Complete History of MLB-NFL Crossover Stars"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every few years, a rare athlete emerges who forces scouts, executives, and fans to ask the same question: which sport should he choose?<\/em><\/p>\n

With the rise of NIL money and increased flexibility for elite prospects, that question is more relevant than ever. As the next wave of dual-sport stars approaches the draft spotlight, it\u2019s worth revisiting the rich, fascinating history of athletes who have bridged both Major League Baseball<\/span><\/span> and the National Football League<\/span><\/span>.<\/p>\n

Because while the list is long, only a select few have truly mastered both worlds.<\/p>\n

The Gold Standard: True Two-Sport Legends<\/h2>\n
\"Bo
Unknown Date; Kansas City, MO, USA; FILE PHOTO; Bo Jackson of the Kansas City Royals during the 1990 Season
at Royals Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Photo By USA TODAY Sports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Any conversation about baseball-football crossover greatness begins with Bo Jackson<\/span><\/span><\/a> and Deion Sanders<\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Jackson remains the ultimate \u201cwhat if\u201d and \u201cwhat was.\u201d<\/a> An All-Star outfielder and Pro Bowl running back, his combination of speed and power felt almost mythical. His 1989 MLB All-Star Game home run is still one of the sport\u2019s most iconic moments, while his NFL dominance with the Raiders made him a cultural phenomenon.<\/p>\n

Sanders, meanwhile, didn\u2019t just play both sports\u2014he thrived under the brightest lights. \u201cPrime Time\u201d appeared in both a Super Bowl and a World Series, bringing elite shutdown cornerback skills to the NFL while contributing as an outfielder in MLB. His charisma helped redefine what a two-sport athlete could look like in the modern era.<\/p>\n

Then there\u2019s Brian Jordan<\/span><\/span><\/a>, a Pro Bowl safety who walked away from football entirely to become an MLB All-Star<\/a>. His career proves that success in both leagues wasn\u2019t limited to just two iconic names.<\/p>\n

Modern Dual-Sport Stars: Choosing Between Millions<\/h2>\n
\"Arizona
Nov 3, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) leaves the field after defeating the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fast forward to today, and the stakes are even higher.<\/p>\n

Kyler Murray<\/span><\/span><\/a> represents the modern blueprint<\/a>. Drafted ninth overall by the Oakland Athletics in MLB before becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, Murray ultimately chose football\u2014but not before forcing MLB front offices to seriously consider how to retain elite talent. Similarly, Russell Wilson<\/span><\/span><\/a> was drafted by the Colorado Rockies and later had his rights held by the Yankees, even appearing in spring training games. While his NFL career took priority, his baseball ability was legitimate.<\/p>\n

Even stars like Patrick Mahomes<\/span><\/span> and Tom Brady<\/span><\/span><\/a> were drafted by MLB teams, underscoring just how common elite crossover talent has become.<\/p>\n

NFL Stars Who Nearly Chose Baseball<\/h2>\n

The crossover pipeline runs deep. Several NFL legends were legitimate MLB prospects:<\/p>\n