Biggest Names Who Left an NFL Career to Achieve MLB Greatness

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It is not unknown that many of the big names in MLB had a scope in NFL had they pursued it. Here’s a list of 5 players that left their potential NFL careers for their love for baseball. [{ "selector": ".kfpcw-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".awmwl-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(-116px)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".zrdbs-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(calc(360px - 321px))", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1"} ] }]

An injury that turned out to be a fatal bone disease put an end to Mantle’s football career. Instead, he pursued baseball to later become a 7-time World Series champion.

Not only did Jackie create a name for himself in baseball back in college at UCLA, but he was also a four-sport star lettering in baseball, football, basketball and track.

#3 Dave Winfield

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Derek Jeter’s inspiration, Winfield’s athletic mastery led him to be drafted by four teams in three sports in 1973. The teams included the San Diego Padres (MLB), Atlanta Hawks (NBA), Utah Stars (ABA) and Vikings (NFL).

#2 Todd Helton

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Helton played quarterback alongside and later even ahead of Peyton Manning at the University of Tennessee before he was picked in the 1995 MLB draft to play for the Colorado Rockies.

#1 Darin Erstad

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Erstad played for the Nebraska Cornhuskers before he pursued baseball and went on to win the World Series in 2002 with the Angels.

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