When people talk about two-sport athletes, the same names always come up.
Bo Jackson, an MLB All-Star and NFL Pro Bowler.
Deion Sanders, elite speed on the football field and the baseball diamond.
Michael Jordan, who paused his NBA career to chase a baseball dream in the 1990s.
But one remarkable story is often overlooked.
Brian Jordan didn’t switch sports. He lived in both — at the same time.
A Star at the University of Richmond
Brian Jordan didn’t come from a college powerhouse. He played football at the University of Richmond, starring as a hard-hitting, athletic defensive back. Despite the smaller stage, Jordan’s combination of size, speed, and toughness caught the attention of scouts in two professional leagues.
In 1988, the St. Louis Cardinals selected Jordan in the first round of the MLB Draft, 30th overall. A year later, the Buffalo Bills drafted him in the 7th round of the 1989 NFL Draft, spending a pre-season there before signing with the Atlanta Falcons.
Most athletes would choose one path.
Jordan chose both.
Playing NFL Football and Minor League Baseball Simultaneously
What separates Brian Jordan from every other two-sport athlete in history is simple — he played in the NFL while actively competing in Minor League Baseball.
During the early 1990s, Jordan’s schedule was brutal.
He would:
Play NFL games on Sundays with the Falcons
Take overnight flights
Report to Minor League Baseball stadiums
Play outfield during the week in the Cardinals’ farm system
Before fully committing to baseball, Brian Jordan carved out a notable football career with the Atlanta Falcons from 1989 to 1991, while simultaneously playing Minor League Baseball. Despite the extreme physical and scheduling challenges of balancing two pro sports, Jordan made a real impact on the gridiron. Over 36 NFL games, he started 30, recorded five career interceptions for 17 return yards, and contributed as a reliable defensive back and special teams player.
Notably, he led the Falcons in tackles in 1991 and was named an alternate to the NFC Pro Bowl that season— a significant recognition given his split focus between football and baseball.
There was no offseason. Football punished his body. Baseball demanded perfect timing. Jordan gave both sports full commitment.
No athlete before or since has pulled off that overlap. Not Bo Jackson. Not Deion Sanders.
Only Brian Jordan.
Choosing Baseball — and Breaking Out
Eventually, Jordan made the decision to leave football and focus entirely on baseball. Once he did, the results were immediate.
When Jordan finally committed to baseball, he didn’t just survive — he thrived. He became a three-time All-Star, a Silver Slugger, and a middle-of-the-order bat on playoff teams. He earned major contracts in an era when teams paid only proven stars. His success wasn’t theoretical. It was earned, season after season, pitch by pitch.
He reached the majors in 1992, but his breakout season came in 1996, when he hit .310 with 17 home runs and 104 RBIs. That performance earned him his first MLB All-Star selection and established him as a legitimate middle-of-the-order force.
The Cardinals rewarded him with a five-year, $27 million contract in 1997, one of the largest deals of that era.
Later, after being traded to the Atlanta Braves, Jordan signed a six-year, $42 million contract, becoming a key contributor on a perennial contender.
A Long, Productive MLB Career
Brian Jordan went on to enjoy a 15-year Major League Baseball career, finishing with:
184 home runs
821 RBIs
Three MLB All-Star selections
Two Silver Slugger Awards
Not bad for a player who once tackled NFL running backs on Sundays and hit cleanup in the minor leagues days later.
An Underrated Two-Sport Legend
Brian Jordan never chased headlines or hype. His story is about durability, sacrifice, and doing the impossible without fanfare.
In the conversation about America’s greatest two-sport athletes, Brian Jordan belongs in the room. Not as a footnote. Not as a “what if.” But as a reminder that some of the hardest achievements don’t come with the loudest applause.
He didn’t chase the spotlight. He carried two careers until one demanded everything — and then he delivered.
That’s not just a two-sport story.
That’s a legacy.