Image Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

“I Got Hit A Lot Playing Running Back” – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Reveals Why NFL Wasn’t For Him

Shai discusses NFL limitations

Image Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander might be one of the most confident players in basketball today, but even he admits his limits. The Oklahoma City Thunder star revealed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that there is no chance he could succeed in the NFL.

“No chance,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I wouldn’t disrespect them like that, nah… Just like how they can’t come on the basketball court, I can’t go on the football field.”

The 27-year-old guard emphasized that every athlete should stay within their lane. He shared that while he once played football briefly as a child, the experience ended quickly.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander doesn’t think he could play in the NFL 😭

“No chance… I fell on the football and I got the wind knocked out me — I didn’t like that at all so I quit right away.”

(Via @FallonTonight) pic.twitter.com/JRAkynsHWu
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) September 7, 2025

“I played running back, so I got hit a lot,” Shai Gilgeous-Alexander recalled. “And I fell on the ball when I got tackled a couple of times… And I got the wind knocked out of me.”

Basketball has proven to be the right path.

MVP Honors Highlight Thunder Championship Run

In the NBA 2024-25 season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was crowned NBA MVP after averaging 32.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game.

His dominance continued into the postseason, where he led the Thunder to an NBA championship. Along the way, he collected both Western Conference Finals MVP and Finals MVP honors.

Despite the accolades, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has no illusions about switching sports. He doesn’t believe basketball and football players could transition successfully into each other’s leagues, pointing out the physical and skill-based differences between the two.

That stance is echoed by Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson, who spoke about the subject on The Young Man and the Three podcast.

“I think it’s impossible for either, honestly,” Thompson said. “I don’t think there’s anybody in the NBA that could go play in the NFL right now.”

Not everyone shares the same opinion, though. Amen’s twin brother, Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson, pointed to former Phoenix Suns player Ish Wainright as proof that crossover athletes can exist.