The 6-foot-9, 290-pound Davis recently shared his hopes and dreams with ESPN.com, saying he plans on becoming an NBA All-Star before embarking on a new career in the NFL.
"When I become an All-Star in the NBA, when I become a great player in the NBA, then I'll try football. One of my dreams has always been to play football," Davis told ESPN.
You might think that a 23-year-old who is still very unproven in the NBA wouldn't allow his focus to wander from the hardwood, but it's clear the Louisiana native isn't short on confidence.
"I definitely could have made it to the NFL," Davis told ESPN. "It don't matter [what position I play]. I just want to play."
Davis hasn't played football since high school in Baton Rouge, where he was a defensive lineman and a running back. He then went to LSU on a basketball scholarship, acquired the nickname "Baby Shaq" and began his basketball career. He was thrust into the spotlight last year when Kevin Garnett could not return from an injury, leaving Davis to fill the shoes of the 12-time All-Star. Davis delivered, nailing a memorable buzzer-beater in Orlando in Game 4 to even the Eastern Conference quarterfinals at two games apiece.
Still, Davis accepts his role on the team, and said he won't be able to complete his basketball goals in the next two years.
"No, we've got too many other great players in front of me — KG and Rasheed Wallace — for that to happen," he said to ESPN.
The Celtics, including general manager Danny Ainge, collectively forgave Davis for getting into the fight with a friend that caused the thumb injury, and this most recent revelation likely will be treated as a good-natured pipe dream from their backup power forward.
