Why So Many Football Players Have Played Lacrosse
From Jim Brown on down, football and lacrosse have a long crossover history. Here's why lacrosse makes football players better, and the gear you need to give it a shot.
Lacrosse builds agility, hand-eye coordination, communication and technical contact skills that make football players better.
Lacrosse is a spring sport, so football players stay in shape and avoid burnout before fall camp.
Experienced athletes often say you need to focus on one sport to excel, and they're not entirely wrong. Specializing can pay off. But when it comes to football and lacrosse, you'd be surprised how much one sets you up for the other.
Both sports demand speed, physicality, smarts, tactics and stamina. For high school athletes still testing the waters, committing to one sport too early can lead to burnout or losing interest altogether.
The skills you build in each game carry over and contribute a ton to an athlete's growth.
In this article, I'll cover why so many football players have played lacrosse and how lacrosse helps football players.
Coach's note: Some of the best middies I've coached, from upstate New York to Virginia Beach, were linebackers and running backs in the fall. They showed up already knowing how to take a hit and run through contact, and lacrosse gave them soft hands and quick feet. Up in Ontario, plenty of football kids play summer box too. Two sports, one better athlete.
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Athletes who played both lacrosse and football
Before I get into how useful lacrosse is for football players, let's talk about the ones who've already done it. Did you know Jim Brown, arguably one of the greatest football players ever, was also a lacrosse star at Syracuse?
Yep, he dominated both sports.
And he's not alone. Here's a list of players who have played both football and lacrosse.
These decorated athletes prove that excelling in one sport can fuel success in another. Who knows who's next on this list?
Read more: How much do pro lacrosse players make?
How useful is lacrosse for football players?
Lacrosse and football are two different sports, but they have a lot in common in how you use your body, your mind and your skills. You've probably heard plenty of times that a football player also played lacrosse.
Here are five main reasons the two go together.
1. Communication skills
Communication is key in both sports. One often-overlooked benefit of playing lacrosse in the spring is how much it boosts your on-field communication.
Players aren't shouting for fun. They're constantly relaying information to teammates: who has the ball, who's sliding, who's hot. Those quick calls may seem minor, but they make a huge difference.
Football coaches especially are always looking for players who can lead vocally and earn trust during games. Building that habit in lacrosse helps you stand out as a reliable leader in high-pressure moments.
2. Agility
Lacrosse is nonstop action. The constant movement builds the stamina that's crucial in football. No matter your position, you're moving your feet the whole game.
Lacrosse is all about quick, explosive movement, and that carries straight over to football.
3. Hand-eye coordination
Some football positions, like wide receiver, quarterback and defensive back, rely heavily on sharp hand-eye coordination. Lacrosse takes that skill to a whole new level.
Instead of catching and throwing with your hands, you use a stick as an extension of your body. That adds a whole new coordination challenge and forces you to adapt in ways you might not be used to. It's a great way to sharpen precision and control that pays off on the football field.
4. Physical strength
Lacrosse is a contact sport, and so is football. No surprise there. Every play involves collisions.
But lacrosse adds a twist. Instead of driving opponents into the ground, it's about mastering body checks and precise stick checks. That forces players to rethink body position and approach and makes them more technically sound in contact. See is lacrosse a contact sport?
5. Keeps athletes fit for football season
Football season starts not long after lacrosse season ends. That gives football players a great way to stay in shape, build strength and show up to camp ready.
Lacrosse builds agility, hand-eye coordination and strategic thinking, all of which help on the football field.
Playing multiple sports like lacrosse and football doesn't just build a well-rounded athlete. It also helps prevent burnout and leads to faster, more balanced development.
Read more: Are lacrosse and football cleats the same?
The future of crossover athletes
Lacrosse is growing across the country and around the world, and more and more football players are picking it up. The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) has played a huge role in that growth, drawing in more athletes who want to see what lacrosse is all about.
High schools and colleges are also backing multi-sport athletes, encouraging them to try different sports to become more well rounded. With all these opportunities, the future looks bright for crossover athletes, and there's a good chance we'll see even more football players add lacrosse to their game.
Gear up to give lacrosse a shot
Football players already have the toughness. Here's the gear you need to get on the lacrosse field. Bigger guys who like contact often slide right into a long pole, like the Maverik A7 350 Defense Shaft ($129.99).
Complete stickWarrior EVO Complete Stick 2026$109.99 at BattleLax
HelmetCascade CPV-R Helmet$175.00 at BattleLax
Shoulder padsMaverik Charger Shoulder Pad 2026$74.99 at BattleLax
GlovesMaverik M6 Player Glove$115.99 at BattleLaxRound it out with arm pads ($49.99), a pair of lacrosse cleats ($129.99) and a rebounder ($204.99) to build your stick skills over the summer. See our full lacrosse equipment guide.
People also ask
Why should football players play lacrosse?
Lacrosse improves agility, hand-eye coordination and communication. It also builds endurance, sharpens technical contact skills and keeps football players fit in the offseason.
What famous football player played lacrosse?
Jim Brown, one of the greatest football players ever, was also a lacrosse star at Syracuse and is in the lacrosse Hall of Fame, making him a true dual-sport legend.
Which country plays lacrosse the most?
The United States has the most players and hosts major leagues like the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL). Canada is right there too, where lacrosse is the national summer sport and box lacrosse is huge.
Is lacrosse rougher than football?
Both are contact sports, but lacrosse is built around technical body and stick checks instead of tackles, so it's usually less punishing than football while being just as demanding.
How does lacrosse help football players?
It builds transferable skills like stamina, quick decision-making and strategic thinking, so football players can excel in their roles and stay in shape year-round.
It's no accident that so many football players have played lacrosse. The crossover shows how well the two games complement each other. If you're a young player, I highly recommend playing both before you pick a specialty. Both sports will build skills that carry over. Then figure out what you're most passionate about and hit the field. Lacrosse gives you the skills, conditioning and mental sharpness that make you a better football player.