Formerly a High School Football Prodigy, Allen Iverson Gets Real on Decision to Choose Basketball as Career Path

Allen Iverson was famous for his flashy dribbling and touchy finishes at the rim. However, many people overlook the 6-foot-tall point guard?s toughness. Playing in arguably one of the most physically grueling NBA eras, Allen Iverson made it look easy, finishing at the rim with heavy contact.

Described by many as ?tough as nails?, Allen Iverson?s natural strength of body and mind was majorly thanks to his high school football career. In a recent interview, Iverson opened up about his decision to choose basketball over football as his career path.

Allen Iverson on choosing basketball as a Career

In a recent interview with the retired NBA legend, the interviewer mentions Allen Iverson?s high school football journey in the past. He says, ?So most of the footage I was watching of you was football. Because our friend Jason told me that you?re a footballer and that you?re friends with Mike Vick.? He further says, ?I want to start off by saying my all-time favorite football player ever in college or NFL was Charlie Ward.? Allen Iverson then casually mentions that he had played against Charlie Ward before. The interviewer then reveals, ?But uh?I was absolutely dumped out of shock when he didn?t get drafted and become an NFL quarterback. But when I was watching you? first of all, I saw you throw the ball over 60 yards.?

A 60-yard throw as a high school football player is extremely impressive and almost an ?anomaly?. However, Allen Iverson claims that he’s glad he chose basketball as his career path. In the same interview, Iverson acknowledges his 6o-yard-throw in high school and his decorated NBA career in one sentence. He says, ?Yeah it was tough? um… but obviously you know it was a great decision (NBA) for me.?

But how good was Allen Iverson as a high school football player, really?

Allen Iverson was a High School Football Prodigy

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Allen Iverson is one of the most decorated NBA point guards of all time. He is a former MVP with eleven NBA All-Star appearances. However, his first love has always been football. As a high school football player, Allen Iverson was truly special. He led his football team to a Virginia State Championship in high school. He won the prestigious ?Associated Press Player of the Year? in both sports that year.

However, his promising football career came to an unexpected halt after his involvement in the unfortunate bowling alley incident, which got him into trouble with the police authorities.?After getting acquitted of all the allegations in court, Allen Iverson went to Georgetown University, where he pursued basketball. He entered the NBA as the 1st overall pick of the 1995 NBA draft, and the rest is history.

What are your thoughts on Allen Iverson?s high school football journey? Let us know in the comments below!

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