I'm not trying to diminish their accomplishments, by any means, I just think that the overall competition was a lot lower, particularly when Hanson was around, than it has been over the past 30 years when sports specialization has reigned (basketball today is only remotely related to the game back in Hanson's days). To be elite in two sports nowadays is much harder than 55 years ago, which was the last time Jim Brown suited up for SU.
Btw, I still think Jim Brown is the best RB of all-time.
I never saw Hanson or Brown play in person, or even live on TV. In fact, I have never seen film of Hanson play any sport. I have seen film of Brown playing football. No doubt in my mind he would be a dominant player today in the NFL. He was far, far, far ahead of his time. I think we are in at least close to being in agreement on him and his football playing ability. Regarding lacrosse, I can only go by with people like Dick Schapp and Roy Simmons have said (he is the best player ever). I will go with their opinion on that.
I have seen all the players you mentioned play.
Ainge averaged 11.5 ppg in the NBA. I think he was even all pro one season. He was a good basketball player, but nothing special. Never even the best player on his own team. He was a borderline major league baseball player. I saw him try to play in Syracuse with the Chiefs. He was slow, awkward, clumsy and crappy. Was a 0 tool player. Lifetime batting average of .220. 2 home runs. I can't imagine you are serious trying to argue he was a better athlete than Jim Brown. Seriously? Danny Ainge? Seriously?
Sanders was a great cornerback. Outstanding in coverage, dinged hard for being a poor tackler and not being physical, but he had undeniable fantastic athletic ability for football. Loses some points because he was just a CB, not as important a position as RB. I say he was close to but not as dominant a football player as Jim Brown.
He was a good baseball player, certainly much better than Ainge was, but was never remotely a great one. Lifetime average of .263 with 39 HRs and 186 SBs. Forget that he was not remotely close to the best baseball player of all time. If he was a hall of fame baseball player, I might agree with you.
Don't have time to go through the others (Fralic an all time great two sport athlete because he acted in a few pro wrestling acting events). Let's agree to disagree.
