Basketball helped power Jets' Fant to football success
NEW YORK (AP) — George Fant spent most of his college days at Western Kentucky shooting basketballs and grabbing rebounds as a physical power forward with big-time hoop dreams.
He had no idea then that football would ultimately be his path to stardom.
Heck, Fant didn't even play the sport until his fifth year of college. Yet, here he is with the New York Jets with a hefty contract and a likely starting gig at offensive tackle as one of Sam Darnold's newest protectors.
“My love for basketball has kind of changed to my love for football,” Fant said Thursday during a Zoom call with reporters. “I kind of got burned out with basketball. And now I’m, like, freshly in love with a new sport."
After four seasons in Seattle as a backup and sometime starter, Fant signed a three-year, $30 million deal with the Jets in March. It was one of the first major offseason moves by general manager Joe Douglas and signaled the beginning of an overhaul of New York's offensive line.
“I’m excited about his athleticism," Douglas said. "I think he’s going to be a good fit into our scheme. The things he can do, his lateral quickness, he’s going to have a great opportunity to come in and compete for a starting spot.”
The Jets also selected massive Louisville tackle Mekhi Becton with the No. 11 overall pick in the draft, and Fant is looking forward to working with the youngster. With the 6-foot-7, 364-pound Becton's arrival, though, it's uncertain if the 27-year-old Fant will man the left tackle spot or the rookie.
“I’m not really getting that deep into that thing,” Fant said. “It’s not even about the position. It’s about just getting on the field.”
That said, Fant had very specific intentions when he signed with the Jets.
“I’ll say that, you know, that was...