10 NFL Players Who Should Grab a Tennis Racket

10 NFL Players Who Should Grab a Tennis Racket

It is no secret that athletes enjoy testing their skills at other sports, especially golf. Several incredibly gifted athletes excel at other sports because they either played that sport in high school or college, or their unbelievable athletic ability just spills onto a different playing field.

Tennis is another sport that several athletes most likely play for fun in the offseason because it is a very good workout. However, it is not meant for everyone. It has to be difficult for very large and muscular NFL players to move around on the tennis court because the ball is traveling at a high velocity. Not to mention, it is certainly not easy moving from one side of the court to the other in a split second.

With that being said, there might be some football players that enjoy watching Wimbledon on their television and decide they can do that. The same thing happens to golf fanatics when they are watching a major tournament. Simply put, watching a match on television is not the same as being able to play the real thing.

There are not many known football players who play tennis recreationally. However, there is no question it is a great way to stay in shape in the offseason because it works several different muscle groups at once. Not to mention, it is a change of pace from sitting in a weight room all day.

Make sure to check out the top 10 NFL players who should pick up a racket at some point this summer in order to see if they could succeed on a tennis court.

10. Vernon Davis

Even though cockiness does not always lead to success, Vernon Davis seems to be doing alright. Being overly confident can be good and bad depending on the situation. There is no shame stepping onto a tennis court with a slight hop in the step, which is why Davis should certainly give the sport a shot.

9. J.J. Watt

The NFL Defensive Player of the Year certainly could bring plenty of power while playing tennis. There is no doubt opponents would have a difficult time returning anything J.J. Watt sent their way. The fact that Watt has incredible speed and endurance would just add to his skill level on a tennis court. Being one of the top pass rushers in the league, there is no question playing tennis is the offseason would beneficial to his work out.

8. Darrelle Revis

Darrelle Revis prides himself on being a shutdown corner. He could certainly use that same mentality while playing tennis. There is no question football is a very competitive sport, and it is important to keep up that competitiveness over the summer. Tennis is a great way for Revis to sustain his edge, which is the reason why he is one of the greatest cornerbacks in the league.

7. Russell Wilson

Russell Wilson did not exactly fly under the radar prior to his rookie season, but the fact is no one expected him to be good as he was in 2012. The quarterback could do the exact same thing while playing tennis. Assuming he does not regularly play the sport, he could show up without really knowing what he is doing. However, since he is such a talented athlete he could start winning match after match.

6. Larry Fitzgerald

Larry Fitzgerald is one of the most talented wide receivers in the NFL. His quickness is unmatched and he has terrific hands. In order to keep his agility up in the offseason, he should pick up a racket and go to work on a tennis court.

5. Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers is one of the coolest, calmest and most intelligent quarterbacks in the league. Not to mention, he has an outstanding arm that makes even the most difficult throws look easy. He is also a lot more athletic than people realize. Playing tennis over the summer is a way for Rodgers to hone all of his amazing skills, which could lead to him being an even better quarterback during the season.

4. Calvin Johnson

Calvin Johnson is arguably the best pass catcher in the league. He is an absolute machine when it comes to hauling in receptions and scoring touchdowns. One way to keep his eye-hand coordination up is to play tennis a couple times a week. Not only will he stay in great shape but it could also improve his ability to catch the football by constantly following the tennis ball around.

3. Clay Matthews

Clay Matthews is one of the most athletic players in the NFL. It does not matter if the offensive lineman is twice his size or if two players decide to block him, he will always find a way to get to the quarterback. His endless motor certainly would give him an unmatched advantage on the tennis court. Try getting a ball past a player who refuses to give up on a play.

2. Bryant McKinnie

Would there be anything more intimidating than trying to return a serve from offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie? The 6’8”, 354-pound veteran is one of two players on this list that are confirmed tennis players. In fact, he took tennis lessons from none other than Venus Williams in the summer of 2011. The purpose of playing tennis in the offseason was so that he could improve his lateral quickness.

1. Tony Romo

No one really knows exactly how much tennis Tony Romo plays, but there have been sightings of him playing with friends. The fact that he is a tremendously gifted golfer could mean that he dominates on the tennis court as well. There is no question he has established himself as a dominate athlete in multiple sports, so why not add tennis to that résumé?