Bo Bichette still remembers the buzz of the 2015 Under Armour All‑American Game, a showcase that gathered the nation’s most promising high school athletes on a single field.
Among them was A.J. Brown, whose raw power and speed hinted at a rare two‑way talent; Bichette watched him dominate the outfield and imagined the possibilities.
A Dual‑Sport Talent
Brown, however, chose football, a decision that led him from Ole Miss to the NFL, where he quickly rose to become a three‑time Pro Bowl wide receiver for the Tennessee Titans before a blockbuster trade landed him with the Philadelphia Eagles and, more recently, the New England Patriots.
Despite the shift to the gridiron, the baseball diamond never faded from his mind; Bichette notes that Brown’s combination of size, strength and athleticism could have translated into a successful professional baseball career.
Bichette, who kept tabs on Brown’s progress through fantasy leagues and social media, once told teammates that Brown would have been a formidable pitcher or outfielder had he stuck with the sport.
The two players’ paths crossed briefly each summer when Brown reported to Padres camp, a reminder of the shared roots that began in that All‑American Game.
Though Bichette eventually deleted his social media accounts in 2021, he says he still follows Brown’s career closely, often drafting him onto his fantasy roster and celebrating each milestone.