Any time an athlete gets compared to Jim Thorpe they’re being put in rarified air. CBS broadcaster Ross Tucker had high praise for New Orleans Saints “quarterback” Taysom Hill, linking him to Thorpe and referring to him as “one of the best football players ever.”
Thorpe was the first Native American to win a gold medal for the United States in the Olympics and is widely regarded as one of the most unique athletes of all time for his ability to play multiple sports at a high level. He played professional football, baseball, and basketball in addition to participating in the Olympics.
Despite being labeled as a quarterback on the Saints depth chart, Hill’s role as a football player on the team goes beyond that. His blend of size, speed, strength, and athleticism has enabled him to find other ways to impact a game and the Saints have done a great job of maximizing his strengths to use him all over the field.
Hill has become the ultimate Swiss army knife for the Saints. They have asked him to start games at quarterback, return/defend kicks on special teams, block, run, and have even lined him up as a receiver at times. While Hill is not a full-time player for the Saints, it is incredible to see how many different things he does well on the field.
Last season, Hill posted 575 rushing yards and seven touchdowns while adding nine receptions for 77 yards and two touchdowns. He also completed 13 of his 19 pass attempts for 240 yards to go with two touchdowns and zero interceptions. There is simply nothing Taysom Hill can’t do on a football field.
