The NBA and NFL are often considered to be the pinnacle of athleticism. While bigger players that have a bit of extra height and size thrive in the NBA, the NFL boasts some of the strongest and freakishly fast players in organized team sports. Thanks to the popularity of both sports, though, star athletes, when they are younger, end up playing both before picking the one they are better at.
Thanks to this, several NFL stars think they can hoop, while some NBA athletes are under the impression that they can do well in football’s skill positions. It’s a hilarious debate, with both sports requiring very different things, but the best athletes in the world often have confidence in themselves, even if it is a little irrational.
Confidence is something Jimmy Butler has never lacked, and during an interview in 2016 when he was representing Team USA, he claimed he could be a top wide receiver in the NFL. This led to some thorough roasting from his star teammates, with Kevin Durant leading the charge.
Jimmy Butler: “I really love the game of football, I think I’m really good at it. I can probably take Demaryius Thomas’ spot, Antonio Brown’s spot. I told them they’re lucky I’m playing in the Olympics or I would be getting a franchise tag with one of their organizations… I’m very serious and I think if you were to ask people that aren’t haters, which everybody on this team is, it’d be me because I’m fast and I have great hands. I can really catch.”
Kevin Durant: “He’s an idiot. Jimmy’s an idiot. Where is Jimmy? Jimmy! *calls him over* Jimmy’s an idiot. You recording this? Keep recording. You told him you could be a better receiver than Antonio Brown and Demaryius Thomas? You’re an idiot.”
Jimmy Butler: “Wow. You don’t got faith in me bruh?”
Kevin Durant: “No faith in you. Zero. You can’t even score on me bro.”
Butler was joking, and it was just banter between the two NBA superstars. Still, considering that the late Demaryius Thomas was a 4-time Pro-Bowler and Super Bowl champion, while Antonio Brown is a 7-time Pro-Bowler, Butler did deserve some mockery for his take. It would be interesting to see the dynamic between Butler and KD again if both ended up on the Miami Heat next season.
