He excelled in baseball and football and began being watched by major league-scouts in 1946. He received "Little All-America" football honors as captain (running back) of the football team his senior year in 1950. While in college he chose a professional baseball career over a football career turning down the San Francisco 49ers of the All-America Football Conference for a contract with the Detroit Tigers organization in 1948.
This individual's athletic prowess in both baseball and football led to attention from top scouts in 1946. He earned "Little All-America" recognition as captain of his college football team in 1950. During his time at college, he opted for a professional baseball career over football, rejecting an offer from the San Francisco 49ers to join the Detroit Tigers organization in 1948.