Brandon Magee is flying by the seat of his pants.
Magee, an NFL linebacker who was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week, recently reported to Boston Red Sox minor league spring training. The 24-year-old, who was selected by the Red Sox in the 23rd round of the 2012 draft, is keeping an open mind when it comes to his multisport endeavors.
“As of right now, I don’t even know exactly what I’m going to do next week,” Magee told reporters Sunday in Fort Myers, Fla. “I’m just taking it day by day and see where it goes.”
Magee hasn’t closed the book on his NFL career, so his stint at the Red Sox’s spring training complex could be short-lived. He didn’t rule out focusing entirely on baseball at some point, though. It’s clear he’s testing the waters while figuring out the next move in his two-sport career.
“Oh yeah, I’m very curious,” Magee when asked if he wonders what would have happened had he focused exclusively on baseball in college. “Hey, that’s why I’m out here, trying to make the best of my opportunities. I’m blessed to play two sports. Anything I put my mind to, I could become successful at. We’ll see how it goes.”
In addition to his obvious athleticism, Magee has one other thing going for him as he tests his chops at two sports: Bo Jackson, who was a star on the diamond and on the gridiron, has been offering up some advice.
“He’s a great guy,” Magee said. “He’s been here before and he’s an encouragement all the time I’ve talked to him. He’s just encouraged me to stay humble and keep working hard. Try to outwork everybody out here. That’s his main key.
“You’ve got to get more flexible, he says all the time,” Magee added of the tips he’s received from Jackson, an All-Star for the Kansas City Royals and a Pro Bowl selection for the Los Angeles Raiders. “That, and he tells me how to handle myself when I’m out of here and how to conduct yourself with women. We talk about life, man. It’s really cool.”
Magee played in nine games with the Bucs last season and in eight games with the Cleveland Browns in 2013. He remains “100 percent committed to playing in the NFL,” his agent recently told ProFootballTalk, but he’s also winging it as an outfielder, because, hey, why not?
“Right now, I go with the flow,” Magee said. “Just wait and see what happens, fellas. I’ll just focus on baseball right now.”
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@OnlyInBOS
