Byron Eaton's other sport
Published: 11/20/2009 9:15 AM
Last Modified: 11/20/2009 9:17 AM
Former Oklahoma State point guard Byron Eaton was a blue-chip football prospect back in the day at Lincoln High School in Dallas.
NCAA rules would have permitted him to play one season in another sport after he finished his OSU basketball career. Because the Cowboys are having a heck of a football campaign, does Eaton wish he had stuck around campus for an extra semester and joined Mike Gundy's team?
"I have been thinking about that a lot," Eaton said.
Eaton said football has always been one of his favorite sports. He said he still "kind of wants" to give football the old college try, but he will no longer have that option after this season.
As it turns out, Eaton could have played football for OSU without interrupting his pursuit of a pro basketball career. He is playing for Tulsa's NBA Development League team and the 66ers season hasn't started yet. He initially traveled overseas to play for a pro team in Israel, but said it was a "bad situation."
Now Eaton says he is in a good situation, though it's obvious he has regained some of the weight he lost before his senior season at OSU.
"I won't be making as much money as I probably would have, but NBA guys get to watch us play, plus I can see my family," he said. "I think I still have a shot. I've just got to continue to do what I did at Oklahoma State -- get my guys shots and have fun and win up here."
Eaton said the football Cowboys are doing a good job. He's glad for players like Perrish Cox and Pat Lavine and sad for Orie Lemon (injured) and Dez Bryant (ruled ineligible by the NCAA).
--Jimmie Tramel
Written by
Jimmie Tramel
Sports Writer
