Notable NFL Players Drafted to MLB

From Deion Sanders to Tom Brady, these athletes excelled at both football and baseball.

Mar. 4, 2026 at 12:04pm

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The worlds of the NFL and MLB rarely overlap, but some elite athletes have managed to excel at both sports. Players like Deion Sanders, Bo Jackson, and Kyler Murray were talented enough to be drafted by MLB teams while also becoming stars in the NFL. This article highlights the fascinating stories of several notable NFL players who were also drafted by MLB organizations, showcasing their incredible versatility and athletic abilities.

Why it matters

These stories of multi-sport athletes represent a unique intersection between America's two biggest professional sports leagues. They serve as a reminder that many of the NFL's most recognizable names were once elite competitors whose talents extended far beyond the gridiron, highlighting the extraordinary physical gifts of these versatile athletes.

The details

The list of NFL players drafted by MLB teams includes legendary figures like Deion Sanders and Bo Jackson, who successfully played both sports professionally. Others, such as Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, and Kyler Murray, were talented enough to be drafted by MLB teams but ultimately chose to focus on football. Even quarterbacks like Russell Wilson spent time in minor league baseball before committing to the NFL. These athletes' stories demonstrate the rare athleticism that allowed them to excel in multiple sports at the highest levels.

  • In 1988, the New York Yankees drafted Deion Sanders in the 30th round.
  • In 2018, the Oakland Athletics selected Kyler Murray in the 9th round of the MLB Draft.
  • In 1995, the Montreal Expos drafted Tom Brady in the 18th round as a catcher out of high school.
  • In 2014, the Detroit Tigers drafted Patrick Mahomes in the 37th round as a pitcher and outfielder.
  • In 2010, the Colorado Rockies selected Russell Wilson in the 4th round as a second baseman.

The players

Deion Sanders

A Hall of Fame cornerback and one of the most electrifying playmakers in NFL history, Sanders also played nine MLB seasons, including time with the Yankees and Braves, and even appeared in the 1992 World Series.

Kyler Murray

A highly regarded dual-sport prospect, Murray was selected 9th overall by the Oakland Athletics in the 2018 MLB Draft as an outfielder while starring at Oklahoma. He later chose to pursue football, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2018 before being drafted 1st overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Tom Brady

Before becoming the most decorated quarterback in NFL history, Brady was drafted in the 18th round of the 1995 MLB Draft by the Montreal Expos as a catcher out of high school. He ultimately chose to play football, starring at Michigan before being selected by the New England Patriots in the 6th round of the 2000 NFL Draft.

Patrick Mahomes

The son of former MLB pitcher Pat Mahomes, Patrick was drafted in the 37th round of the 2014 MLB Draft by the Detroit Tigers as a pitcher and outfielder. He chose to pursue football instead, playing at Texas Tech before being selected in the 1st round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Russell Wilson

Wilson actually played professional baseball before becoming an NFL star, as he was selected in the 4th round of the 2010 MLB Draft by the Colorado Rockies as a second baseman. He later shifted his focus to football and was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the 3rd round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

These stories of NFL players who were also drafted by MLB teams highlight the incredible versatility and athletic gifts of these multi-sport stars. Their ability to excel at the highest levels in both football and baseball serves as a testament to their extraordinary physical talents and competitive drive, making them some of the most fascinating athletes in modern sports history.