Travis Hunter recently ignited a debate when he claimed that playing both offense and defense in football was more demanding than hitting and pitching in baseball, like Shohei Ohtani. The response from former NFL stars Shannon Sharpe and Chad Ochocinco has been nothing short of heated.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe quickly took issue with Hunter's comments, calling the comparison "not even close." Sharpe, who knows what it takes to perform at the highest level, challenged Hunter to try hitting a 95 mph fastball. "Just the fastball," Sharpe said. "The most difficult thing to do in this world is hit a baseball." He clearly believes that baseball's demands far exceed the physical grind of football.
Chad Ochocinco added to the conversation with his own challenge to Hunter. "I want to see you hit a 95 mph fastball in the cage," the former Bengals receiver said. Ochocinco, known for his bold personality, wasn't holding back. His point: while football is tough, hitting a baseball is a unique challenge that Hunter hasn't faced yet.
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Despite the criticism, Hunter remains confident in his abilities. As he prepares for the NFL draft, Hunter embraces the two-way player label, saying, "Nobody has ever done it, for real, the way I do it." His bold approach may not be universally accepted, but his confidence remains unshaken.
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With the NFL Combine behind him, the next chapter in Travis Hunter's career promises to be filled with challenges-on the field and off. Time will tell how his versatility will be utilized in the professional ranks.
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This story was originally published March 7, 2025 at 8:00 PM.