Successful multi-sport athletes

Jim Thorpe won two gold medals at the Stockholm Olympics in 1912 and was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He also played professional basketball and baseball.

Jim Brown was a Hall of Fame running back and held the league record for rushing yards until passed by Walter Payton. He also was an All-American in lacrosse at Syracuse.

In honor of 12/12/12, the last repeating date we'll see in this lifetime, here are 12 things we'll never see again in sports. 1. A two-sport star (Last: 1997, Deion Sanders)Athletes will continue to play multiple sports but in the era of specialization and offseason workouts, it’s doubtful one will excel like Deion or Bo.

Herschel Walker won the Heisman Trophy at Georgia and had a long career in professional football as a running back. He also was a member of the 1992 U.S. bobsled team at the Olympics and has competed successfully in MMA fights.

Heisman winner Bo Jackson was a two sport All-Star, playing in both the MLB and NFL.

John Elway was drafted by the Baltimore Colts, but forced a trade to the Denver Broncos after threatening to play baseball for the New York Yankees, who he spent one summer with while at Stanford.

Remember when Michael Jordan retired (the first time) and then tried his hand at baseball?

Antonio Gates was a starter on Kent State basketball team that reached the Elite Eight in 2002 before starting his NFL career with the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent.

Tony Gonzalez is second in career receptions in the NFL. He also was a forward for the University of California basketball team that reached the Sweet 16 in 1997.

Former open-wheel racer Alex Zanardi took up cycling after losing both of his legs in a horrific crash. He won a gold medal at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Disgraced track athlete Marion Jones tried her hand in the WNBA, but she was released by the Tulsa Shock in 2011.

Dan Marino was drafted by the Kansas City Royals, but decided to pursue college football at the University of Pittsburgh instead before his playing career with the Miami Dolphins.

Baseball great Jackie Robinson played professional football in the PCPFL and was a track standout at UCLA.

Before his 12-year career in the NBA, Charlie Ward won the Heisman Trophy at Florida State playing for coach Bobby Bowden.

Celtics all-star Danny Ainge played for three years with the Toronto Blue Jays before switching to basketball.

Tom Brady was drafted by the Montreal Expos, but instead chose to play football at the University of Michigan.

Willie Gault was a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic team in track and field, played 11 seasons in the NFL and also tryout for the U.S. bosled team.

Drew Henson played quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys and the University of Michigan. Between that time, he played minor league baseball and eight games with the New York Yankees.

Brandon Weeden played minor league baseball for several years before becoming the Cleveland Browns' starting quarterback.

Notice the trend of quarterbacks playing baseball? Michael Vick was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in 2000.