Ron Artest Says He’ll Try Out for the NFL When His Contract Expires

Sometimes even professional athletes can lose sight of the fact that you need more than just size, strength, and athletic ability to excel in a professional sport.  Brandon Marshall has already insisted he’ll play in the NBA if there’s an NFL lockout next season.  Marshall pretty much implied he’d be able to pick the team he played for, and while Ron Artest is choosing to be less pompous about it he has a similar idea in mind.

In an interview with CBSSports.com, Artest said he won’t be looking for another NBA contract when his current deal with the Lakers expires in 2014.  Instead, he’ll take his talents to the NFL for a tryout at the tender age of 35.

God willing, after my NBA career, God willing I’m still athletic enough – which I’m trying to take care of my body as best as possible and be prepared for this day, for this tryout of an NFL team,” Artest said. “… It’s a fantasy of mine. It’s an opportunity because I’m athletic. So if that fantasy can be fulfilled, and if it’s something that can really be reached as far as a goal, I’m going for it.”

Everyone knows 35-year-old men make the best football players, right?  Give Artest some credit for having a dream and wanting to stick to it, but even he must know how ridiculous it is to think an NFL team would sign a 35-year-old basketball player.  Even if he were in great shape, why risk signing a certified nut job?  But hey, like they always say — a man can dream.  Artest seems like a guy with plenty of them.