He definitely made the right choice. Over 120 million career earnings, no concussions and is still playing baseball. Would’ve loved to see him in the nfl though
Not even just him. Anybody in that position should contemplate the significant monetary and quality of life advantages of not playing football. I love watching the sport but after 10 seasons of rugby, I can confidently say most of my long term bodily damage is that caused by a high school football career. Samardzija has made far more money, and kept a state of health he absolutely would not have in a football career.
He was a fantastic WR. Fantastic hands, knew how to catch a football, I don't think I ever saw him catch a pass with his body, hands, hands, hands. He also knew how to adjust his body in order to ensure that the ball wouldn't pop out when he hit the ground. He also had impressive speed, but when you're 6'5 and have legs like a thoroughbred you tend to move very quickly. He definitely could have been an All-Pro receiver in the NFL but baseball was the right route for Jeff, I mean you don't have to worry about concussions, or your knees getting blown out, or linebackers and defensive backs trying to remove your head from your shoulders. And to be a picture on top of it I mean he literally worked what every third or fourth day, made 100 million plus, yeah I'd say baseball was the right decision. I sure am glad I got to see him in the Blue and Gold. Top five receivers in ND history. I'm not sure where I'd put him officially but he's definitely in the top 5, in my humble opinion at least. ☘️GO IRISH!!!☘️
Agree on everything. I think his body would’ve been absolutely destroyed in the NFL though, similar to Gronk. I haven’t followed his baseball career but I imagine the most serious injury in that sport is shoulder related
If "Shark" continued to play football he would have been a 1st Round Draft Pick and guarantee you he would be a Perennial Pro Bowler and 1st Ballot HOFer. He is an outstanding Baseball Pitcher and thats what we heard all the time it was brought up, "That he was a fra better Pitcher, than WR", looking back at his play now, im not sure that is the case. 6'5 225 lbs and ran a 4.5 40 yd, Plus a 40" vertical, he would be Megatron-Esque. Actually He wouldve been Megatron before Megatron, him and Stovall were absolutely ridiculous, if we only had a defense and a clue how to play USC on 4th and 17 on their 7 yard line with less than a minute to go, we might have played Texas for the Natty that year. Anyways, Samardzija's Game Winning TD vs. UCLA is one of the most outstanding and Unforgettable plays in Notre Dame Football History. #SHARK#1 #QUINN2SAMARDZIJA
Yeah he was Special. Great hands and body control. Could find the ball at It's highest point. I remember like 10 Years ago watching his Highlight Video and commenting about how he reminded me of a Receiver The Titans had "Drew Bennett" And all i was saying was they reminded me of one another. Bennett had a few real good Years with us and I always felt If he would have came Into The NFL on a more passing Offense skies the limit on how good he could have been. And of course I got attacked by someone because they didn't know who Drew Bennett was lol. Anyways this Guy was a Beast Receiver and for some reason I always felt like tall Receivers like him make It look extra pretty.
@@TheWilder30 yes exactly Drew Bennett was a Monster, full of potential, but never fully utilized. Samardzija was a different breed, a la Bennett and you may scoff at this one but Matt Jones the former Arkansas Razorback QB/ Jax Jaguars WR, now this dude was an absolute Savage of an Athlete and to my recalling a Super Chill Dude, I was a soft verbal to the University of Arkansas and Matt Jones was their QB, but also got the the chance to meet him and get a tour of the facilities with him and pick his Brain. I always rooted for him even after I stopped playing and he got drafted. I wish he would've made better life choices, but too me it doesnt change that chill ass dude I met when I was a young and impressionable kid. But those Big Bodied Freak Athletes like Megatron, Bennett, Shark, Claypool, Matt, DK Metcalf etc. Are so fun too watch especially when they are fully utilized and tap into their max potential, its always a Nighmare for Defenses to Gameplan for them.
@@jewelz6028 Yeah I remember Matt Jones. He was a playmaker In College but couldn't get going in the NFL. Also didn't help getting drafted by Jacksonville lol. More big body Receivers. McCaffrey from Broncos and Brandon Marshall. Brandon Marshall Is another Player If he would have had a consistent good QB his whole career and If he had his head on a little more straight early In his playing days he could have ended up being one of the All-time greats. I remember that 21 catch Game he had....They couldn't stop Dude and he could have had more catches that Game.
That UCLA game was supposed to be my very first trip to South Bend. I was going to go on a chartered bus trip from Pennsylvania leaving Thursday and coming back Sunday paid my $500 fee in full and then made some really foolish decisions and wound up being a guest of my counties correctional facility and missed that beautiful game. I'll say this God has a really twisted sense of humor when it comes to me, let's just say I learned from my mistake and have been incarceration free since 2006 when that game took place. I've since been to South Bend a few times but man that would have been a phenomenal life experience and to witness my first game at "House That Rockne Built" in the fashion in which that game ended truly priceless. Just a side note I never was refunded the $500 I spent on the ticket hotel and bus ride but valuable lessons were learned and mistakes that were made have not and will not be repeated that much is a certainty. ☘️GO IRISH!!!☘️
Also Samardzija is Also IMHO the 2nd Best WR in Notre Dame History. My Top 10: 1) Tim Brown 2) Jeff Samardzija 3) Derrick Mayes 4) Golden Tate 5) Michael Floyd 6) Chase Claypool 7) Rocket Ismail (Not a Pure WR, but probably the best slash player in ND history) 8) Will Fuller 9) EQ St. Brown 10) Rhema McKnight
Rhema McKnight might be the most underrated ND player of all time. Dude had 15 TDs his senior year. Him and Samardzija were a devastating combo. TJ Jones also might be worth a mention on this list.
@@RyanWow65 Nah, this dude had it all. The size, the speed, the competitive gift. I believe he would had at least been a solid number 2. I see a lot of similarities between his game and Vincent Jackson’s (R.I.P.).
I'm sure 0% will agree but he's like randy moss. Not speed obviously but the pass doesn't have to be perfect for them to catch it. It can be over or under thrown or too far to one side or too high moss and Samardzija will adjust and catch it. Guys like Jerry rice and megatron are overrated because they only caught the ball if it was perfectly thrown to them. Julio Jones is another guy that can catch the ball even if it's not perfectly thrown.
Haha! Might not be the best but his $100M+ career earnings is WAYYYYY more than ANY NFL team would've paid him as a WR! No concussions or major injuries either for later in his life. He made the right decision no question!
He definitely made the right choice. Over 120 million career earnings, no concussions and is still playing baseball. Would’ve loved to see him in the nfl though
I'm watching this thinking the exact same thing!
Not even just him. Anybody in that position should contemplate the significant monetary and quality of life advantages of not playing football. I love watching the sport but after 10 seasons of rugby, I can confidently say most of my long term bodily damage is that caused by a high school football career. Samardzija has made far more money, and kept a state of health he absolutely would not have in a football career.
Agreed. I think he would have been a HOF NFL WR, but made the right decision for his life.
He definitely did. As a huge Notre Dame and football fan, I would’ve loved to see what he would’ve done in the NFL
You’re a Legend Jeff, during the glory days! You’re not forgotten.🫡
He was a fantastic WR. Fantastic hands, knew how to catch a football, I don't think I ever saw him catch a pass with his body, hands, hands, hands. He also knew how to adjust his body in order to ensure that the ball wouldn't pop out when he hit the ground. He also had impressive speed, but when you're 6'5 and have legs like a thoroughbred you tend to move very quickly. He definitely could have been an All-Pro receiver in the NFL but baseball was the right route for Jeff, I mean you don't have to worry about concussions, or your knees getting blown out, or linebackers and defensive backs trying to remove your head from your shoulders. And to be a picture on top of it I mean he literally worked what every third or fourth day, made 100 million plus, yeah I'd say baseball was the right decision. I sure am glad I got to see him in the Blue and Gold. Top five receivers in ND history. I'm not sure where I'd put him officially but he's definitely in the top 5, in my humble opinion at least.
☘️GO IRISH!!!☘️
Agree on everything. I think his body would’ve been absolutely destroyed in the NFL though, similar to Gronk. I haven’t followed his baseball career but I imagine the most serious injury in that sport is shoulder related
The Shark, what a legend! Him and Zibby are still my two favorite ND players of all time, loved those dudes!
If "Shark" continued to play football he would have been a 1st Round Draft Pick and guarantee you he would be a Perennial Pro Bowler and 1st Ballot HOFer. He is an outstanding Baseball Pitcher and thats what we heard all the time it was brought up, "That he was a fra better Pitcher, than WR", looking back at his play now, im not sure that is the case. 6'5 225 lbs and ran a 4.5 40 yd, Plus a 40" vertical, he would be Megatron-Esque. Actually He wouldve been Megatron before Megatron, him and Stovall were absolutely ridiculous, if we only had a defense and a clue how to play USC on 4th and 17 on their 7 yard line with less than a minute to go, we might have played Texas for the Natty that year. Anyways, Samardzija's Game Winning TD vs. UCLA is one of the most outstanding and Unforgettable plays in Notre Dame Football History. #SHARK#1 #QUINN2SAMARDZIJA
Yeah he was Special. Great hands and body control. Could find the ball at It's highest point. I remember like 10 Years ago watching his Highlight Video and commenting about how he reminded me of a Receiver The Titans had "Drew Bennett" And all i was saying was they reminded me of one another. Bennett had a few real good Years with us and I always felt If he would have came Into The NFL on a more passing Offense skies the limit on how good he could have been. And of course I got attacked by someone because they didn't know who Drew Bennett was lol. Anyways this Guy was a Beast Receiver and for some reason I always felt like tall Receivers like him make It look extra pretty.
@@TheWilder30 yes exactly Drew Bennett was a Monster, full of potential, but never fully utilized. Samardzija was a different breed, a la Bennett and you may scoff at this one but Matt Jones the former Arkansas Razorback QB/ Jax Jaguars WR, now this dude was an absolute Savage of an Athlete and to my recalling a Super Chill Dude, I was a soft verbal to the University of Arkansas and Matt Jones was their QB, but also got the the chance to meet him and get a tour of the facilities with him and pick his Brain. I always rooted for him even after I stopped playing and he got drafted. I wish he would've made better life choices, but too me it doesnt change that chill ass dude I met when I was a young and impressionable kid. But those Big Bodied Freak Athletes like Megatron, Bennett, Shark, Claypool, Matt, DK Metcalf etc. Are so fun too watch especially when they are fully utilized and tap into their max potential, its always a Nighmare for Defenses to Gameplan for them.
@@jewelz6028 Yeah I remember Matt Jones. He was a playmaker In College but couldn't get going in the NFL. Also didn't help getting drafted by Jacksonville lol. More big body Receivers. McCaffrey from Broncos and Brandon Marshall. Brandon Marshall Is another Player If he would have had a consistent good QB his whole career and If he had his head on a little more straight early In his playing days he could have ended up being one of the All-time greats. I remember that 21 catch Game he had....They couldn't stop Dude and he could have had more catches that Game.
That UCLA game was supposed to be my very first trip to South Bend. I was going to go on a chartered bus trip from Pennsylvania leaving Thursday and coming back Sunday paid my $500 fee in full and then made some really foolish decisions and wound up being a guest of my counties correctional facility and missed that beautiful game. I'll say this God has a really twisted sense of humor when it comes to me, let's just say I learned from my mistake and have been incarceration free since 2006 when that game took place. I've since been to South Bend a few times but man that would have been a phenomenal life experience and to witness my first game at "House That Rockne Built" in the fashion in which that game ended truly priceless. Just a side note I never was refunded the $500 I spent on the ticket hotel and bus ride but valuable lessons were learned and mistakes that were made have not and will not be repeated that much is a certainty.
☘️GO IRISH!!!☘️
Would've been drafted in same class as Megatron had he declared
Also Samardzija is Also IMHO the 2nd Best WR in Notre Dame History.
My Top 10:
1) Tim Brown
2) Jeff Samardzija
3) Derrick Mayes
4) Golden Tate
5) Michael Floyd
6) Chase Claypool
7) Rocket Ismail (Not a Pure WR, but probably the best slash player in ND history)
8) Will Fuller
9) EQ St. Brown
10) Rhema McKnight
Joe Montana isn’t in your top 10 Notre Dame players?!
@@marzbound8124 these were just WRs.
Rhema McKnight might be the most underrated ND player of all time. Dude had 15 TDs his senior year. Him and Samardzija were a devastating combo. TJ Jones also might be worth a mention on this list.
He would’ve been a tight end in the nfl instead of a wr
Not a chance
I think he would have been a receiver it's crazy to think how good this man was in college and he didn't even play in the NFL
Hard to believe he chose baseball over football but he avoided injuries by doing so
Really miss "The Shark"
These highlights remind me how God awful these ND defenses were
?
Please bring back real grass at ND
If only he had not preferred his brain health over playing Sunday with pads on
He should’ve. He was a mediocre pitcher, stole a lot of money from a lot of teams 😂😂
@@sethboooooi23245He made Quinn look like first-round talent 😂
would have been HOF receiver but he made a good choice
Money wise he won. Legacy wise, he should’ve went to the nfl
Ted ginn next
if only he continued to play football...
He never would’ve made it in the NFL. Not fast enough.
@@RyanWow65 lol you do see him out there beating Brandon Browner and Darelle Revis... Right?
@@RyanWow65 Nah, this dude had it all. The size, the speed, the competitive gift. I believe he would had at least been a solid number 2. I see a lot of similarities between his game and Vincent Jackson’s (R.I.P.).
@@RyanWow65 4.5 40 time... out here dusting Revis on routes lmao
Not fast enough ha. Anquan boldin was not fast but a great wr. And many others. Actually most speedsters tend to be busts more than the pure all rd wr
I'm sure 0% will agree but he's like randy moss. Not speed obviously but the pass doesn't have to be perfect for them to catch it. It can be over or under thrown or too far to one side or too high moss and Samardzija will adjust and catch it. Guys like Jerry rice and megatron are overrated because they only caught the ball if it was perfectly thrown to them. Julio Jones is another guy that can catch the ball even if it's not perfectly thrown.
Jerry Rice caught 1549 passes and they were all just perfectly thrown? As the kids say, you can miss me with that.
Should of stayed with football. He sucks as a pitcher.
Haha! Might not be the best but his $100M+ career earnings is WAYYYYY more than ANY NFL team would've paid him as a WR! No concussions or major injuries either for later in his life. He made the right decision no question!
@@powsniffer0110 Good point.
Love Jeff, but he wasn't really that good at baseball. Wish he would've played for the Colts! Great football I.Q.