What do you do when you are so talented in two sports that you can go pro in either? Do you flip a coin? How about play both? Bingo. John “Bull” Bramlett brought national recognition to Memphis State University as a professional baseball and football player. Bramlett graduated from MSU in 1963 after lettering for four straight years in both sports. His senior year, he was captain of the baseball team and was named Mr. Memphis State University. He played in the annual college football Blue-Gray game and was an Honorable Mention All-American. After graduation, Bramlett first played baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals for two years before moving on to a seven-year career in the NFL. During that time, he played for the Denver Broncos, the Miami Dolphins, the New England Patriots, and finally, the Atlanta Falcons. Bramlett’s pro football honors are many: he was picked on the all-time Denver Broncos team, was runner-up to Joe Namath as Rookie of the Year in 1965, played in the Pro Bowl for 1966 and 1967, and in 1970 was named the Most Valuable Player for the New England Patriots. Bramlett is recognized as an outstanding public speaker. No surprise that the two-sport phenom from Memphis would succeed beyond the athletic arena.
