When it comes to sports that would help an athlete become better at football, basketball is a no-brainer. But water polo?
New Houston Texans third-round tight end Kahale Warring from San Diego State told Justin Melo of The Draft Wire on April 9 that water polo was one of a myriad of sports he played to become better at football. Warring broke down why basketball was the most helpful.
Everything about basketball translates to football. Beating someone off the dribble and giving them an inside-out move to get to the hoop is the same as lining up on a safety or a linebacker and giving them a move to beat them off the line of scrimmage. Being a defender in basketball and not letting your opponent get by you is the same as blocking, getting a hold of him and putting his face in the dirt. Defending in basketball is a little like protecting your quarterback. Football gives you the ultimate chance to compete.
Water polo helped Warring in terms of his mentality, but it was tennis that helped him with his footwork.
With tennis, all of that footwork you learn there is huge. It all converts to football. Cross country gave me the skills I need to play every snap. The stamina required in cross country is amazing. It’s huge. I feel like I can play every single snap because of it. Water polo takes a certain mentality. You have to be able to tread water and be in excellent shape. There’s a real physical presence to water polo. That helped my mental side. It all carries over really well. I’m a better athlete because of it.
The real question Texans fans want to know is how that athleticism will translate on offense. Since the retiring of C.J. Fiedorowicz in 2018, the Texans have been searching for an impactful tight end.
