CBS announcer Ross Tucker gave quite the praise to Saints multitalented star Taysom Hill during the team’s 16–15 win over the Titans on Sunday, and fans are unsure how to feel about it.
Hill is a man of many trades on the football field. He’s listed as a tight end on the Saints’ depth chart, but he played in the running back position on Sunday. He is even listed as the third-string quarterback as he’s had experience in that role in the past.
However, when Tucker spoke highly of Hill, he compared him to Jim Thorpe, who is one of the most well-known American athletes in history. He played football, baseball and basketball in the early 1900s while also winning two Olympic track and field gold medals.
“I’m not kidding when I think and I tell you, I think he’s one of the best football players ever,” Tucker said. “I know he’s not a Hall of Famer or any of that. This guy can play quarterback, running back, tight end. He makes tackles on special teams. This guy’s like Jim Thorpe. I mean, can you name any other guys that’ve ever done all the things that Taysom Hill did? He’s like the perfect football player.”
Ross Tucker calls Taysom Hill one of the greatest football players ever. For real life!
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 10, 2023
"This guy is like Jim Thorpe... he's like the perfect football player." pic.twitter.com/wyICHTUU5o
Tucker tweeted on Sunday night to clear up a little bit of what he meant.
“Talking ‘pure’ football player not like the HOF/All Pro dudes,” Tucker wrote. “Run with power, run with speed, catch, block, throw, make tackles on special teams, TE, RB, FB, WR, QB etc. It’s nuts. I don’t know anyone else like him.”
Hill didn’t have his best performance by any means on Sunday, as he finished with three carries for four yards.
Fans on social media had mixed reactions to Tucker’s take for sure, with some of the examples below showing both positive and negative reactions.
He’s right tho https://t.co/8NLWZhUZ5l
— Joe Wheat (@joewheat27) September 10, 2023
He’s also a Helleva kicker.
— Benjamin Criddle (@CriddleBenjamin) September 11, 2023
Bet you he could hit a 45 yarder if needed to. https://t.co/6vpUpFjSyl
I propose this theory:
— Scott Nuzum (@apeman33) September 10, 2023
Taysom Hill *could* have been one of the greatest players of all time had he played before 1945.
He probably wouldn't have played quarterback, though. He would have been an All-Pro receiver/defensive back. https://t.co/ufjUVuVuPO
What an absolutely ridiculous statement and I love Taysom Hill https://t.co/oelkr3y08E
— Chris Gros (@ChrisNews8) September 10, 2023
I can name a lot of players…
— AggieUp (@AggieUp) September 11, 2023
There’s no way he’s ever been a top 10 player at any position… so what are we talking about here?
I usually love Ross but geez man… https://t.co/klGFzxXIfS
Look, I love Taysom Hill. One of the VERY few BYU players that has earned that from me. But this is just a weird thing to say. He’s not great at any skill but he’s good enough at a lot of different things and was blessed with the size and athletic ability to do them in the NFL https://t.co/ovtxMG6bMp
— Matt Christensen (801Matt) (@Aggiesalltheway) September 11, 2023
Just leave it alone now. I understand what you said. The guy is versatile. Leave it at that. Hes very versatile. https://t.co/exBjDyPH9Q pic.twitter.com/T22H3r16qE
— Mikewichter (@mikewichter) September 10, 2023
Lol this statement is a fireable offense https://t.co/fn4hBEqium
— Thomas Mooney (@thomas_mooney1) September 10, 2023
